UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together.
The first order of business in the MoU is drumming up support for the Exhibitions and Conference Alliance, which is staging a legislative action day in the US capital at the end of this month. The associations will also start a research dialogue and work together on upcoming events, including Global Exhibitions Day on June 5.
“IAEE is pleased to expand upon its international partnerships through this MOU with UFI,” said IAEE chairperson Marie Browne, who is also the group vice president for exhibition giant RX in the 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.
Between them, the two associations represent tens of thousands of exhibition industry professionals and suppliers to the industry.
UFI says it represents about 50,000 staff working in the exhibitions sector, through its 866 member organisations in 88 countries.
Meanwhile the IAEE says it has 12,000 individual members.
“Collaboration has been the genetic code of UFI since its beginnings 100 years ago,” said UFI president Geoff Dickinson, also 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.”
