UFI and the EEAA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, collaborating in areas including education, research, advocacy, and talent development to create additional value for the exhibition industry
The leadership of both associations signed a memorandum of understanding in Sydney outlining the scope and priorities of their planned areas of cooperation. Based on this agreement, both associations will announce the first activities at the upcoming UFI Global Congress in Johannesburg, South Africa from 1-4 November.
Kai Hattendorf, UFI’s managing director/CEO welcomed the extended cooperation: “It is UFI’s mission to connect and serve the exhibition industry globally. Our collaboration with the EEAA will allow both our associations to do this more efficiently. We will collaborate on research, education, talent development, and peer to peer exchanges – working to connect industry professionals from Australia with the industry in Asia and globally.”
Joyce DiMascio, chief executive, EEAA added: “There is more gravitas when associations collaborate. We are delighted to formalise a stronger partnership with UFI and deepen our engagement with the global event industry. The exchange of the MoU today opens up the way for closer collaboration between our two organisations. There is a strong alignment between our associations – we both share a commitment to supporting and developing the business opportunities of our members and advocating for the value of the sector to government and the broader business community – and I look forward to working more closely with UFI for the benefit of our respective organisations and the members we serve.”
UFI’s latest research on the development of the exhibition industry in Asia/Pacific shows that Australia’s trade fair industry grew by 3.1 per cent in 2016.
Mark Cochrane, UFI’s regional manager for Asia/Pacific commented: “We predict faster growth for the Australian exhibition market in the coming years. In 2017, Australia’s economy is forecast to grow by 3.1 per cent. The Australian trade fair market, however, should outperform the broader economy following the opening of the new venue, ICC Sydney in December 2016.”
In addition, the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre is scheduled complete work on its expansion project in 2018 adding 20,000sqm of event space. Those two investments in vital venue infrastructure should result in stronger growth rates over the next two to three years.”
Below: Hattendorf and DiMascio sign MoU
