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Wednesday, November 1
09:30 AM - 01:00 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
UFI Board of Directors Meeting and Board of Directors Lunch (by invitation only)
Congress
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Matchmaking
Networking
During each Congress, we connect leaders from different regions fostering business opportunities for them. Matchmaking being the heart of the industry, the primary aim of this session is to give opportunities for the industry in the respective congress host country to take advantage of the global industry leadership coming to them. These will especially focus on participants from North America, First Time Attendees, and other special groups.
Registration shall open soon.
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Light Buffet Lunch
Networking
01:00 PM - 02:30 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
UFI General Assembly (UFI Members only)
General Assembly
02:30 PM - 03:00 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
UFI Board of Directors Meeting II (by invitation only)
Congress
03:00 PM - 03:20 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Xchange Session - Swapcard
Xchange Session

03:20 PM - 03:40 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Xchange Session - WTCA
Xchange Session

03:40 PM - 04:00 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Looking Into The Future Of MICE Industries In Hong Kong And The Region
Xchange Session
China Greater Bay Area (GBA) has emerged as one of the fastest-growing regions with a GDP comparable or even higher than New York, San Francisco and Tokyo. At the centric point of this prosperous area, tremendous new developments are in progress including the landmark SKYCITY. SKYCITY will be the largest integrated commercial development in Hong Kong comprising of retail, entertainment, a much-expanded MICE venue, hotels and the future Airportcity link, further enhancing accessibility across the region. It will be a self-sustained hub, a destination of its own with one-stop shop service bringing unprecedented benefit to event participants.
Irene Chan

04:00 PM - 04:20 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
How to Sell 240 000 Sqm With No Marketing and Sales Involved?
Xchange Session
A case study of the Kitchen Bath China trade show, one of the largest events in its industry taking place in Shanghai New International Expo Centre. Without any kind of marketing and sales activities, the event has sold out each year for 19 years, reaching on average 5,000 exhibitors and 100,000 visitors.
Sebastian Sadowski-Romanov

04:20 PM - 04:30 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Break
Networking
04:30 PM - 04:50 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Reinventing Global Commerce: Leveraging Omnichannel Strategies with Alibaba.com
Xchange Session
In today's hyper-connected global marketplace, adopting an omnichannel strategy — incorporating B2B e-commerce platforms and tradeshows — is not just advantageous, but vital. Alibaba.com stands at the forefront of this revolution, extending a dynamic bridge between the marketplace and tradeshows, fostering unprecedented opportunities for businesses to sell or source globally. This synergistic approach promises to redefine customer experiences, enhancing value propositions for clients in over 200 countries and regions. In this session, we will highlight how partnering with Alibaba.com can be a powerful catalyst, opening avenues for innovation and collaboration, thereby magnifying the potential for global outreach and customer engagement. Join us to explore the future of business strategies with Alibaba.com, where the digital and physical realms merge to create a thriving, inclusive, and boundless global business ecosystem.

04:50 PM - 05:10 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Xchange Session - HKTB
Xchange Session
Sharing of the comprehensive offerings of Hong Kong, including its competitive advantages, robust support, and unwavering commitment to helping you achieve greater success, making it the ideal choice for your next exhibition destination.
Stuart Bailey

05:10 PM - 05:30 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Xchange Session - Puerto Rico
Xchange Session

07:30 PM - 10:00 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Welcome Reception
Networking
Welcome to the Congress - welcome to Las Vegas!
Meet your colleagues and make new contacts as our global community gets together.
The Welcome Reception will take place at the Aria Hotel & Resort – East Convention Center – Ironwood Terrace.
Thursday, November 2
06:30 AM - 07:45 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
UFI Running Club
Networking
07:00 AM - 09:00 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Networking Breakfast
Networking
Enjoy your breakfast, and have your first network conversations with your colleagues.
09:00 AM - 09:30 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Opening of the 90th UFI Congress
Congress
Michael Duck
Kai Hattendorf
09:30 AM - 10:00 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Keynote Address
Congress
Details to be announced
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
State of the Industry - A Conversation
Congress
Details to be announced
10:30 AM - 10:50 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Investor's View
Congress
Details to be announced
10:50 AM - 11:00 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
How I see it - details to be announced
Congress
We will premiere our new “How I see it” talks at this year’s Global Congress – short, concise interventions from people who have something to say on how we #gobeyond.
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Networking Break
Networking
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
The Exhibition Industry Board Meeting
Congress
Please welcome back our Exhibition Industry Board Meeting. After a successful launch last year, we have again assembled top industry leaders on stage to form a joint board on behalf of our whole industry. What are today’s industry-wide top challenges? Where do we need to invest, where can we cut expenses? How will our business model change, and what talent do we need to win and retain? Our industry board will debate and decide – it’s up to you to take our personal minutes for your own next board meeting to #gobeyond.
Heather Farley
David Harrison
Hugh Jones
Mary Larkin
Rachel Wimberly
12:30 PM - 02:00 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Networking Lunch
Networking
02:00 PM - 02:30 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
The World in 2024 - Global Economic Outlook
Congress
The global economy has likely managed to skirt a recession in 2023, despite sharp monetary policy tightening and recent geopolitical shocks. But as we #gobeyond, there is a global trend towards more fragmentation and regionalisation in the world economy as supply chains are revisited and co-operation falters on critical policy issues such as climate and technology. From Cody, you will learn about the key macroeconomic, business and geopolitical trends that will affect the global economy in the coming year - and what this means for our global exhibition industry business.
Cody Feldman
02:30 PM - 03:00 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
What Customers Expect Today - And Tomorrow
Congress
Our industry is changing as the needs of our customers are changing. To stay relevant, we have to evolve ever faster, adapting to more complex and more demanding expectations from exhibiting companies. In this session, Sophie will share what businesses value about our events, what they dislike, and leading exhibitors will will show where we need to #gobeyond as an industry to stay relevant.
More speakers to be announced.
Sophie Holt
03:00 PM - 03:20 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Beyond Tomorrow: AI in the Exhibitions Sector and the Future of Human Interactivity
Congress
Venture beyond the ordinary and dive into the revolutionary realm of AI, focusing on the exhibitions sector.
Stephan Forseilles will introduce the core principles of AI and illuminate groundbreaking applications, while Enrico Gallorini delves into the profound, transformative intersections of human evolution through AI integration and the impact for our industry. Embark on a journey with us to envision the future of the exhibitions world, as we push boundaries and #gobeyond conventional thoughts.
Stephan Forseilles
Enrico Gallorini
03:20 PM - 03:30 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
How I see it
Congress
We will premiere our new “How I see it” talks at this year’s Global Congress – short, concise interventions from people who have something to say on how we #gobeyond.
Julius Solaris certainly is one of the most outspoken experts and observers of the way business events and meetings are evolving. Sitting on the crossroads of technology and meeting design, he will bring his own take on event transformations and what is driving them. Julius’s take on things will be sure to give you plenty to think about and you’ll leave for the networking session afterwards with lots to discuss.
Julius Solaris
03:30 PM - 04:30 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Networking Break
Networking
04:30 PM - 05:00 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
How We Move the Needle on Decarbonisation
Congress
Focussing on environmental and climate impact, this session will showcase world leading approaches from the three pillars of our industry – organizers, venues, and service providers. A fast paced “show & tell” of what works, and what will help you to #gobeyond where you are on your own decarbonization journey.
Monica Lee-Müller
Helen Mantellato
Helen Sheppard
Edwin Van Der Vennet
05:00 PM - 05:10 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Net Zero Carbon Events Update
Congress
Alexander Alles
05:10 PM - 05:20 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Close of the Day
Congress
07:30 PM - 10:00 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Congress Dinner
Networking
Join the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority for an UFI Congress dinner, Vegas style!
Located atop The Cromwell, Drai’s Nightclub is in the heart of the action and offers unparalleled views of the Las Vegas Strip.
Dress to the nines for an unforgettable evening with amazing food, drinks, and entertainment.
Recommended dress code: Cocktail attire for women and slacks and sports jackets for men.

Friday, November 3
07:00 AM - 09:00 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Breakfast
Networking
Enjoy your breakfast, and have your first network conversations with your colleagues.
09:00 AM - 09:45 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Chapter Meetings (UFI Members Only)
Congress
UFI's regular Chapter Meetings where members meet to discuss developments in their part of the world, ongoing initiatives and activities. Our Chapter Meetings are a great opportunity for to connect and network with with fellow members from your region.
Location:
European Chapter Meeting: Mariposa Ballroom 5
Asia-Pacific Chapter Meeting: Mariposa Ballroom 1
Americas Chapter Meeting: Mariposa Ballroom 2
MEA Chapter Meeting: Mariposa Ballroom 3
09:45 AM - 10:15 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Networking and Refreshments
Networking
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Spotlight Session 1
Congress
Details to be announced
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Spotlight Session 2
Congress
Details to be announced
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Spotlight Session 3
Congress
Details to be announced
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Networking Break
Networking
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Spotlight Session 4
Congress
Details to be announced
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Spotlight Session 5
Congress
Details to be announced
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Spotlight Session 6
Congress
Details to be announced
11:30 AM - 11:45 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Networking Break
Networking
11:45 AM - 12:15 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
A New Blueprint for Event Planning & Operations
Congress
UFI’s 2023 Class of Next Generation Leaders take the stage to present their work on how our core product needs to change. Over the past months, the group has been working to define a new blueprint for event planning and operations that will make us #gobeyond today’s tried and tested approaches on and around our show floors. The group is sure – we need to change and evolve, and the faster we do, the better.
Otero Finiti
Elizabeth George
Tehchad Kittiboonya
Aya Moatamed
Amy Saleh
12:15 PM - 01:00 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Congress Sessions
Congress
01:00 PM - 02:30 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Networking Lunch
Networking
02:30 PM - 04:30 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Focus Sessions USA
Congress
Saturday, November 4
09:00 AM - 04:00 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Post Congress Activites
Networking