Source: China Business Network Radio
As of now, 590 member representatives from exhibition enterprises in more than 50 countries around the world have confirmed their participation in this annual congress. The event is characterized by a high level of internationalization, broad geographic and enterprise-chain coverage, and frequent exchange. Chen Xianjin, president of the Shanghai Convention and Exhibition Industries Association, said:
[Chen Xianjin: I attend the UFI congress almost every year. In my memory, annual attendance has usually been around 450 to 460 people, and around 420 in smaller years. This time, however, 590 representatives have officially registered. This is an interesting phenomenon. The more complex and changeable the economic situation becomes, the more the exhibition industry needs exchange, cooperation, dialogue and mutual support.]
This year's annual congress will focus on different chapters and networking opportunities, and will directly address many changing realities in the industry, such as challenges brought by digitalization, political instability and shifts in the global economy.
It is reported that UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, holds one general assembly each year, hosted by a member organization through application. Because the assembly offers strong promotional opportunities for the host location, members often compete to host it. After a competitive process, Shanghai stood out among four competing locations in the Asia-Africa region and successfully won the right to host the 83rd UFI Congress. Shanghai has set the goal of becoming an international exhibition capital, and the holding of the UFI congress in Shanghai is of milestone significance for the development of the city's exhibition industry. Sergey Alexeev, then president of UFI, said:
[Alexeev: Shanghai is one of the most important cities for the exhibition industry, not only in China but also in the world. We have visited Shanghai many times, most recently in January this year, when Mayor Yang Xiong said Shanghai hoped to become an international exhibition capital. We hope to help Shanghai realize that vision.]
According to the reporter, during this global congress the Shanghai Municipal Government will sign an agreement with UFI to establish a permanent office, creating more potential cooperation opportunities for the Chinese and international exhibition community in projects, capital and exhibition research.