Bahrain will represent 820 member organisations in over 85 countries around the world.
Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB), the Middle East’s newest and largest exhibition and convention centre, has announced the election of Dr Debbie Kristiansen, the General Manager of EWB, to serve on the International Board of Directors at UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. The three-year mandate will begin after the Association’s annual General Assembly, which will be held ahead of UFI’s Global Congress in November 2023 in Las Vegas, USA.
UFI is the global trade association of the world’s tradeshow organisers and exhibition centre operators, as well as the significant national and international exhibition associations and selected partners of the exhibition industry. UFI’s primary goal is to represent, promote and support the business interests of its members and the exhibition industry. UFI represents over 50,000 exhibition industry employees globally and works closely with its 60 national and regional association members. More than 820 member organisations in over 85 countries are registered as members. Around 1,000 international trade fairs proudly bear the UFI-approved label, a quality guarantee for visitors and exhibitors.
The UFI Board of Directors is comprised of a maximum of 60 members, and elections take place every three years. During this process, the members elect a truly global body with representatives from UFI chapters worldwide. The Board of Directors is tasked with implementing decisions taken by the General Assembly, developing UFI policy and preparing all proposals related to matters affecting international trade fairs. After thorough preparation, these proposals are submitted for vote to UFI members at the annual General Assembly.
Commenting on the occasion, Michael Duck, UFI President and Informa Markets, EVP Commercial Development, stated: “I am very pleased to thank all newly elected and re-elected Board members to the UFI Board. I am constantly proud that we have many enthusiastic members who wish to contribute to our industry. It’s such an exciting time to be making such a contribution as we regrow and restart our shows around the world. I wish to say a big, personal ‘thank you’.”
Dr Debbie Kristiansen, the General Manager of Exhibition World Bahrain, added: “I’m immensely proud to be elected as part of the UFI’s new board of directors. Joining a dynamic global platform in the international MICE industry is considered a great testament to the EWB’s potential to effectively contribute to MICE industry trends and developments, which will place a global spotlight on the Kingdom of Bahrain as the region’s leading hub for the MICE and business tourism industry. Together with EWB, I look forward to performing a key role in sustaining this promising sector to prosper and utilise UFI member organisations in creative ways in our dedicated path of continuous progress in the global MICE industry.”
