The 91st UFI Global Congress will bring together the international exhibition industry at Koelnmesse's Confex from 20 to 23 November 2024. For four days, the world congress of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) will provide a platform for leading figures in the industry to discuss current challenges facing the exhibition industry and set the course for the future of the global event and network industry. ‘This year's congress motto ‘Changes to Chances’ could hardly be more apt. It emphasises the profound connection between change and opportunity and how crucial it is to approach both with an open mind,’ said Gerald Böse, CEO of the host organisation Koelnmesse GmbH, at today's opening press conference.
Trade fair companies around the world have made a strong comeback after the end of the global coronavirus pandemic. The UFI predicts record revenues for 2024 and further growth for the global trade fair industry of 17 per cent on average compared to the previous year. According to a recent analysis by UFI and the consulting firm Oxford Economics, trade fair participants at trade fairs and in their surrounding areas recently generated sales of more than 792 billion euros (885 billion US dollars). According to the study, the industry directly and indirectly secures around 3.4 million jobs worldwide.
At the same time, the trade fair industry is undergoing profound technological and cultural changes that are fundamentally altering requirements. ‘These developments offer opportunities to make events more inclusive, accessible and efficient, but they also require the development of new skills,’ says Geoff Dickinson, President of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). “The opportunity to develop joint strategies, especially in these challenging times, to turn today's changes into tomorrow's opportunities, is unique,” adds Kai Hattendorf, CEO of UFI.
Trade fairs and conventions as drivers of a sustainable economy
With a new record of around 550 participants from over 55 markets and regions and a diverse programme with around 50 speakers, the 91st UFI Global Congress in Cologne is setting new standards. Speakers include leading figures from the exhibition industry and external experts from renowned organisations such as the Economist Intelligence Unit, The Guardian and Gapminder.
‘Networking events like these are platforms where people from different cultures and countries come together to talk and work on solutions,’ says Jörn Holtmeier, managing director of AUMA, the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry. ‘At the same time, trade fairs contribute to climate protection by efficiently combining personal contacts and helping to avoid individual travel.’ A recent study by the association shows that trade fair visitors avoid an average of five additional business trips per day at the trade fair by combining their contacts at the trade fair. International visitors save an average of up to eight trips per day at the trade fair.
Change is on the programme in Cologne
‘Cologne, as a trade fair location, is the ideal venue for the UFI Global Congress, particularly in its 100th year,’ said Gerald Böse on the opening day. ’Constant change has shaped our history, from the first classic trade fairs in 1924 to the most modern digital formats and this new location, Confex, a unique mix of conference and exhibition hall.’ Böse continued: ‘I am looking forward to the new impulses and insights that this congress will offer in all areas – including the topic of sustainability. We at Koelnmesse are consistently pursuing the goal of being climate-neutral by 2030 and are relying on innovative solutions to achieve this goal.’
In its 100th anniversary year, Koelnmesse announced a historic sales record and a profit of 42 million euros. Overall, the Cologne trade fair activities contribute 2.0 billion euros to the German economy annually, 1.1 billion euros of which go directly to Cologne. They secure around 18,500 jobs, including 12,000 in Cologne. Through its latest international expansions, particularly in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, Koelnmesse is further developing its global presence.