The International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE), and UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, have announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The document re-establishes a regular exchange between the associations designed to benefit their respective members, while also promoting the industry at large. The partners said they agreed on the value of collaborating on common initiatives, exchanging information and supporting industry developments.
“Collaboration has been the genetic code of UFI since its beginnings 100 years ago,” said UFI president Geoff Dickinson, CEO of dmg events. “Today, more than 70 exhibition and event industry associations from around the world are members of UFI, a testament to UFI’s role as the leading global body of our industry. Besides that, we partner in other ways for the good of the industry. With our new North America Chapter, we want to make sure to deepen the relationships with the associations where we currently don’t have them, and we certainly hope that this MoU with IAEE will herald the beginning of a new chapter here.”
“IAEE is pleased to expand upon its international partnerships through this MoU with UFI,” said IAEE chairperson Marie Browne, group vice-president, RX Americas. “Cultivating relationships that enrich our member offerings and bring attention to the remarkable contributions exhibitions and events make to the global economy is among IAEE’s top priorities. We look forward to working with UFI to deliver these benefits.”
The organisations will initially focus on advocacy by driving support for the Exhibitions and Conference Alliance’s (ECA) annual Legislative Action Day to be held on 30 May 2024 in Washington, D.C. IAEE will also contribute to Global Exhibitions Day on 5 June 2024, the global industry awareness day for the industry for which UFI serves as the project lead and office.
Other areas covered by the MoU include collaborations on upcoming events, such as the China Expo Forum for International Cooperation (CEFCO), of which both associations are co-organisers, and a dialogue around research-related issues.
Photo L-R: IAEE president & CEO Marsha Flanagan; UFI president Geoff Dickinson; IAEE chairperson Marie Browne; and UFI managing director & CEO Kai Hattendorf
