The 86th UFI Global Congress took place from 6 to 8 November at the Avani+ Bangkok Riverside Hotel, Thailand. It was hosted by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (Union des Foires Internationales, UFI). President of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute Irene Va Kuan Lau, participated in the event. She exchanged views with nearly 500 members of renowned international convention and exhibition organisations from over 50 countries and regions, getting to know the latest development trends of the industry; ones that could help develop further the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry in Macao, as well as bringing the city’s industry on par with international standards. IPIM also took the opportunity to promote the UFI Asia-Pacific Conference 2020 that will be held in Macao in March next year.
UFI is one of the leading global associations of the industry that gathers exhibition managers and professional exhibition organisers from around the world. It strives to enhance the regional and international development of exhibition industry. This year’s UFI Global Congress was held in Bangkok under the theme “Platforms of Trust”. Keynote speakers elaborated on ways to build partnerships of trust and co-operation, and how to explore development trends and take advantage of growth opportunities arising in peripheral areas.
In her speech at the congress, Mrs Lau elaborated on the advantages of the software and hardware facilities of Macao’s MICE industry and introduced the audience to the arrangement of the UFI Asia-Pacific Conference 2020. UFI Global Congress participants were invited to the UFI Asia-Pacific Conference 2020, which will be held in Macao from 3 to 6 of March next year. IPIM has collaborated closely with UFI members in Macao in order to bid for hosting the UFI Asia-Pacific Conference in the city. Such efforts garnered support from various sectors in society. It will be the second time Macao has hosted this event, after a successful edition in 2008.
IPIM became a UFI member in October 2005. Since then, it has actively participated in events organised by UFI and conducted bilateral exchanges with trade fair managers, professional exhibition organisers and global trade fair organisations, so as to enhance jointly the development of the regional and international exhibition industry. So far, eight exhibition brands in Macao have been recognised by UFI.
