Event Directors Summit

Open to Event/Exhibition/Project/Portfolio Directors only

The Event Directors Summit is an exclusive one-day programme for a maximum of 50 exhibition/portfolio/event directors, which takes place immediately prior to the UFI European Events Week.


  • FREE to attend for UFI European Events Week delegates who qualify
  • Innovative programme consists of a mixture of interactive workshops, P2P learning, and experiential networking
  • Gives event/portfolio directors access to a powerful network of international colleagues to explore future partnerships
  • Delegates must be from exhibition organisers only (venue operators & service providers are not eligible)

Register for the European Events Week and express your interest in the Event Directors Summit: 

Check out the 2023 Event Director Summit in Maastricht recap video

UFI Event Directors Summit Sponsor

In Their Words

I really enjoyed my participation at the UFI Event Directors Summit 2023 for several reasons. First the opportunity to interact with my peers from different organisations and countries, benefit from their expertise and share visions about our business. Second the opportunity to learn from experts who can help us gain methodology and think out of the box.  And last, it was such an enjoyable time, dynamic formats, great people and perfect organization.
Anne-Manuèle Hébert Portfolio Director, RX France
UFI’s Event Directors Summit has proven to be super-efficient both in terms of insights and networking. I had the opportunity to learn about innovative approaches, bond with my peers and discover the beautiful city of Maastricht. A perfect balance between work and entertainment. I would definitely recommend it and look forward to participating again in the future.
Audrey Ashworth Event Director - SIAL Paris, Comexposium
The UFI Event Directors Summit offered a remarkable atmosphere and valuable networking opportunities. A must-attend for anyone in the industry.
Philipp Eisenmann Exhibition Director - IFAT, Messe Munich
Attending last year’s Event Director Summit was excellent! The well-curated program revealed event industry trends and best practices. The second-day sessions in particular created a stimulating and excellent opportunity to network and share ideas with industry leaders and colleagues. The organisers paid meticulous attention to detail, creating a successful and enriching summit. Looking forward to future issues!
Syed Ali Akbar Exhibition Director, Messe Frankfurt Middle East
I presented at the inaugural Event Director Summit in 2023 and found the whole event eye opening. I don’t get to mix with peers outside of the UK really, so to be able to share best practice and swap ideas was incredibly valuable. I would recommend Exhibition Directors, Group Exhibition Directors and Portfolio Directors attend if they can as it will offer you insights from across the continent.
Laura Shapiro Portfolio Director, CloserStill Media
I would highly recommend attending this event whereby you will meet like-minded people from the event’s industry from all around the world, as it serves as a platform to share success stories, stay connected with peers and get inspired with new ideas.
Muhammed Kazi Vice-President, dmg events

List of Participants

First Name Surname Job Title Company Name Country/Region
FirasAbou LtaifPortfolio directordmg eventsUnited Arab Emirates
AndreasArnheimDirector WindEnergy HamburgHamburg Messe Und Congress GmbhGermany
AlessandraAstolfiGlobal Exhibition Director Green & Technology DivisionItalian Exhibition Group S.p.A.Italy
CarmenBenderProject directorLeipziger Messe GmbhGermany
ChristopherBossExecutive DirectorNürnbergmesse GmbhGermany
MarcoCarnielloChief Business OfficerItalian Exhibition Group S.p.A.Italy
PhilippaChristerPortfolio DirectorMontgomery GroupUnited Kingdom
NicoloCostanzoCEOTrade Events SrlItaly
FedericoDellafioreEvent DirectorMontgomery GroupUnited Kingdom
GeoffDickinsonCEOdmg eventsUnited Arab Emirates
ClaudiaDöttingerVice PresidentLandesmesse Stuttgart GmbH & Co. KGGermany
MariannyEisenhoferDirector ExhibitionNürnberg Messe GmbhGermany
DannyEnweremExhibition DirectorHamburg Messe & Congress GmbhGermany
SimonFarnfieldEvent DirectorEASYFAIRS GROUPUnited Kingdom
MatteoFarsuraJewellery & Fashion Global Exhibition ManagerItalian Exhibition Group SpaItaly
ValentinaFioramontiWellness and Sports Group Exhibition ManagerItalian Exhibition Group S.p.A.Italy
IvaGerasimovaDeputy General ManagerInter Expo CenterBulgaria
LiljanaGoszdziewskiPortfolio DirectorRx GlobalUnited Kingdom
EmanueleGuidoDirector Business Unit Home, Fashion and LeisureFiera Milano S.p.a.Italy
GuidoHentschkeDirectorKoelnmesse GmbhGermany
RomanImgrüthCEO E&E MCHMCH Messe Schweiz (Basel) AGSwitzerland
KetkiKarkhanisSr. Project DirectorInforma Markets India Pvt LtdIndia
DenizKasapogluSenior Project ManagerMesse Düsseldorf GmbHGermany
JuliaKindsgrabHead of Exhibition ManagementDECHEMA Ausstellungs-GmbHGermany
MerveKiyak AyhanEvent CoordinatorIzfas - Izmir FairTürkiye
JosephKowalskyEvent DirectorCloserstill MediaUnited States
MarittaLeppExhibition DirectorMesse München GmbhGermany
JaimeMcAuleyEvent DirectorRx GlobalUnited Kingdom
CarinaMontagutEvents Department DirectorFeria ValenciaSpain
PolinaPatyrinaEvent Directordmg eventsUnited Arab Emirates
InigoPunzano SobradoExternal Business - ManagerFeria de ValladolidSpain
DominieRobertsPortfolio Development DirectorClarion Events LtdUnited Kingdom
EvaRübhausenDirectorKoelnmesse GmbhGermany
DanielRyfischDirector wire / Tube & FlowMesse Düsseldorf GmbHUnited Arab Emirates
PaolaSarcoHead of Building and Industrial Business UnitFiera MilanoItaly
Malte ChristopherSeifertDirectorMesse Düsseldorf GmbhGermany
CarolineSimonetExhibition DirectorPalexpo SaSwitzerland
LiekeVan Den Bemd-HollinkManager Customer Service & SupportJaarbeursNetherlands
GiovannaVoltoliniExhibition ManagerRiva del Garda Fierecongressi S.p.A.Italy
Christinevon BreitenbuchDirector IAA MobilityMesse München GmbHGermany
NoraWernickDirector Sales & ServicesMesse Düsseldorf GmbHGermany
JonnieWicksCommercial Directordmg events (UK) LtdUnited Kingdom
AndreasZuegeGeneral ManagerHannover Fairs International GmbH, Italian branchItaly