UFI Asia-Pacific Conference 2024

UFI Asia-Pacific Conference 2024: A Resounding Success in Macau

Close to 300 delegates from 20 countries and regions gathered in Macau for the UFI Asia-Pacific Conference, a highly anticipated annual event. This year’s conference was held at The Parisian Macao and was hosted by the Macau Fair & Trade Association. The event spanned two days, from March 7-8, and was co-located with the inaugural Event Directors Summit held in Asia.

A Historic Return to Macau

Mark Cochrane, UFI Asia-Pacific Regional Director, remarked, “This was our first time bringing this event to Macau since 2008. Both Macau and its MICE industry have grown remarkably since then. This year’s conference was particularly successful in bringing together UFI members and industry leaders from around the region, including approximately 150 from Greater China.” He further highlighted the conference’s focus on the emerging importance of the Greater Bay Area and the growth opportunities it presents for the industry.

Ms. Synthia Chan, Council Chairperson for the Macau Trade & Fair Association, expressed her excitement, saying, “What an honour it was to host the 2024 UFI Asia-Pacific Conference! It got our adrenaline pumping with fun and surprises! And as always, it was a pleasure to work with the UFI team. We have been waiting for years to host this event again, and now I can honestly say it was worth the wait!”

Key Issues Addressed

Throughout the conference, industry experts and thought leaders discussed pressing topics such as the rise of AI and its expected impact on exhibitions, the importance of implementing sustainable best practices, and the evolution of event formats. Additionally, there was a strong focus on the exciting opportunities emerging in China’s Greater Bay Area, which includes key cities like Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou.

Event Directors Summit: A Regional First

Macau also had the distinction of hosting the first-ever Event Directors Summit in Asia. Originally launched in Europe in 2023, this invitation-only summit connects show and portfolio directors from across borders to discuss common challenges and share insights.

UFI Association Meetings and Student Engagement

Alongside the main conference, UFI held several association meetings, including the Asia-Pacific chapter meeting and a session of the Associations Committee. UFI management also took the opportunity to engage with the future of the industry by hosting a student delegation from Macau’s City University.

Looking Ahead to Melbourne 2025

The UFI Asia-Pacific Conference will next be held in Melbourne from February 13-14, 2025, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. This event promises to build on the success of the Macau conference, continuing the tradition of fostering collaboration and innovation within the exhibition industry.

UFI Asia Pacific Conference 2025

For more details about the UFI Asia-Pacific Conference 2024 and upcoming events, contact us at events(at)ufi.org.