President and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf Group, Wolfram Diener, has been selected by the board of UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, as president for the one-year term from November 2026 to November 2027.
Diener will take over from Panittha Buri, vice-chairperson of the Bhiraj Buri Group, who will assume the presidency of the association this November, taking over from the CEO of RX, Hugh Jones, who is the current president.
The president of UFI oversees its board of directors, executive committee and general assemblies, in which its key decisions are made.
Diener has over thirty years of leadership experience in the meetings and exhibitions sector, including as managing director in Asia for Messe Fankfurt, general manager for Shanghai New International Expo Centre, vice president of conventions and exhibitions for Marina Bay Sands, vice president of Sands China and senior vice president for Informa Markets in Asia.
He has been in his current role with Messe Düsseldorf Group since 2020 and has worked for the group for more than six and a half years in total. He has also been the treasurer for the UFI executive committee since 2021.
“I am honoured to take on the UFI presidency at a time of global challenges – not only as a representative of our industry, but as someone deeply convinced of its power to connect, inspire and enable progress,” said Diener.
“We must be present where the economy needs us most: in emerging markets and at the crossroads of global exchange.
“We are bridge builders – within industries and between business, politics and science.
“With this mission in mind, I am committed to shaping a global exhibition industry that is collaborative, future-oriented and impactful so that we can make our strongest contribution to moving the world forward.”
Current UFI president Jones said Diener will bring “an extraordinary depth of leadership experience” to his forthcoming position.
“Under his guidance, Messe Düsseldorf has seen remarkable international expansion, strategic innovation and sustained growth,” said Jones.
“His deep industry knowledge, global perspective and forward-thinking vision make him exceptionally well placed to help steer the future of our industry.”
