UFI Has selected its future president from South Africa for 2018/2019 term.
The UFI Board of Directors elected Craig Newman, CEO of the Johannesburg Expo Centre (JEC), as the president of UFI for 2019.
The decision was made at a board meeting during UFI European Conference in Cologne (Germany).
The UFI Presidential Trio for the 2017-18 term will comprise:
Corrado Peraboni (Fiera Milano, Italy) President 2017-2018,
Craig Newman (Johannesburg Expo Centre, South Africa), Incoming president,
Andreas Gruchow, (Deutsche Messe AG, Germany), Outgoing president.
This decision becomes effective at the conclusion of the 83rd UFI Global Congress, which runs from 1 – 4 November 2017 in Johannesburg.
In 2014, Newman was elected onto the UFI Board of Directors, and was further appointed onto the UFI Executive Committee.
His most recent achievement was being appointed as vice-chair of the UFI Middle East-Africa Chapter.
Newman and his team are also hosting the upcoming UFI Congress in Johannesburg.
As UFI Incoming president, Newman will work closely with the incumbent President and Outgoing President to make up the Presidential Trio, managing UFI at the highest level and helping UFI to continue on its path of global development.
Dr Andreas Gruchow, current UFI President, welcomed the election of Mr Newman, and said: "I am delighted to welcome Craig Newman to his new role in the UFI leadership team as the Incoming President. He has been an active member of UFI and the exhibition and events industry for years now, bringing meaningful insight and value to the association as Vice Chair of the UFI Middle East - Africa Chapter as well as a member of the Executive Committee.
"His commitment is best reflected by the dedicated application of the Johannesburg Expo Centre (JEC) to host this year's UFI Global Congress. He has been very convincing during this tender process and for sure he will do his utmost to make the Congress a success for all. My experience of him personally is that of "a man of action", if not Craig who else? I am convinced that with his positive personality, open mind, charming character, forward thinking and can-do attitude Craig will contribute greatly to expand Africa's footprint in the global exhibitions industry and thus further the growth and development for UFI and the global membership. Craig is going to be the first African UFI President and that should also boost the UFI Middle East - Africa Chapter."
“I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the members of the association for their confidence in me to serve as the President of UFI for 2019. During my time as the Vice Chair of the Middle East Africa Chapter, I endeavoured to bring Africa to the forefront of the global exhibitions industry and I still believe that Africa represents the next frontier for growth and development for UFI. As the first African president for UFI, it is an honour to be chosen to represent this outstanding association and I look forward to meeting this challenge head-on,” said Mr Newman.
