UFI Welcomes New Members in U.S.
-- Tradeshow Week, 6/30/2008
UFI, the Global Assn. of the Exhibition Industry has added nine new members to its roster, including two from the United States.
At a meeting June 16-18 in Thessaloniki, Greece, the organization's governing board approved the admission of the new members and also began an effort to help shows become more environmentally sensitive.
UFI approved the admission of two exhibition associations and seven organizers and venue managers. The two U.S.-based organizations that joined are Diversified Business Communications of Portland, Maine, and the Trade Show Exhibitors Assn. UFI's total membership is now 536. The board of directors also granted approval status to 11 events, including shows in Russia, the Ukraine, Turkey and Romania, which brings the total number of UFI-approved events to 801.
“UFI is always pleased to add high-quality, professional exhibition organizations to the UFI global family,” said UFI Managing Director Vincent Gerard. “By working together, we can promote our marketing media efficiently and effectively to our exhibitors and ultimately to our visitors.”
UFI also agreed to develop an action plan on sustainable development within the exhibition industry. “It is UFI's vision to achieve a high level of membership awareness and commitment to promote social and environmental responsibility within the exhibition industry,” said UFI President Cliff Wallace.
The board of directors also approved the creation of a new working group on sustainability to be headed by Michael Duck, UFI executive committee member and senior vice president of CMP Asia.
