UFI European Events Week 2025

08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00 22:30 23:00 23:30

Fast Schedule

Day 2

Wednesday, June 4

09:00 - 12:00 TIF-HELEXPO at Ioannis Vellidis Center - Hall 6

Roadmap to Inclusion: From Internal Values to External Impact

Leadership Insight Series - Workshop - Open to all DEI and Talent

This interactive workshop will explore how Diversity and Inclusion shapes our industry - from internal values and team culture to event experiences and customer connection. The session will also highlight how inclusion drives not just culture, but competitiveness - from talent retention to audience growth and innovation.

During this session, we will bring everyone together to reflect, learn, and build a shared understanding of what inclusion looks like today and where we want to go.

Participants will leave with:

Practical ideas and case studies from peers across the industry
Clarity on internal vs. external impact, and on navigating cultural and geographic nuances
A more grounded understanding of how inclusion influences talent, leadership, and audience engagement
A shared vision of the future of inclusion in exhibitions - and steps to start (or continue) the journey
A sense of belonging through storytelling, discussion, and co-created insights

Ray Rhodes Vincenzo Cecere Susanne Hennigers Edwin Van Der Vennet

09:00 - 12:00 TIF-HELEXPO at Ioannis Vellidis Center - Hall 4

Navigating the US Exhibition Ecosystem: Strategies for Success

Leadership Insight Series - Workshop - Open to all US Exhibition

This SISO-organised session offers a deep dive into the U.S. exhibition market, featuring insights from key industry leaders. Each speaker brings a wealth of knowledge across the exhibition ecosystem and the critical intersections where successful exhibitions are shaped in the U.S. The session will conclude with a panel discussion and Q&A, fostering dialogue across the industry and geographies.

Topics covered will include:

Washington, DC Decoded: The 4 ‘Ts’ of U.S. Politics Impacting the Exhibitions Industry
Why now might be the best time
The Real (Exhibition) World: U.S.
Find out what happens when four industry leaders stop being polite and start getting real (about the U.S. market).
Strategies for Success

Vinnie Polito Tommy Goodwin Don Kline Michael Barnett

13:00 - 16:00 TIF-HELEXPO at Ioannis Vellidis Center - Hall 4

The Elephant in the Room: Digital and Marketing Insights

Leadership Insight Series - Workshop - Open to all Digital Innovation and Marketing

Join an interactive workshop where industry leaders and innovators in the exhibitions sector confront emerging challenges in digital innovation and marketing. The topics are:

Digital: Digital Revenues, Exhibitor ROI, Digital Internal Challenges (culture or HR).

Marketing: The Rise of AI, Global or Local? (Rethinking Exhibition Reach), The NextGen Dilemma: Attracting Tomorrow’s Audience, Proving the ROI: Exhibitors and Visitors Demand More & Business Models in Flux: Space, Strategy, and Survival.

Through interactive sessions, participants will work on the key issue: the “elephant in the room.” Utilizing a three-dimensional strategic framework (urgency, magnitude, and velocity), each group will develop concrete, innovative solutions and conclude with a concise presentation.

This is a unique opportunity to delve into emerging trends and shape actionable strategies for the future of exhibitions. The workshop will be led by Enrico Gallorini (GRS Research & Strategy), who, with the support of the Digital Innovation and Marketing Working Group, will co-create significant value for the participants and the exhibition industry as a whole.

Enrico Gallorini Dorota Wallusch

13:00 - 16:30 TIF-HELEXPO at Ioannis Vellidis Center - Hall 6

Net Zero Measurement: Establishing Data Benchmarks for the Exhibition Industry

Leadership Insight Series - Workshop - Open to all Sustainability

The importance of measuring carbon emissions and collecting sustainability data from events is widely recognized: we need good data to make informed decisions, to benchmark progress, for transparency and accountability, to innovate and find areas for improvement, and for engagement. But there are challenges in reporting the right data and establishing relevant benchmarks.

This session will present efforts at both the organizational and national levels, showcasing case studies from exhibition organizers and industry associations while highlighting considerations in addressing legislative requirements. Attendees will be encouraged to contribute to collective industry efforts to establish standardized data and benchmarks, fostering a more consistent and effective approach to sustainability measurement.

The UFI Leadership Insight Series are designed to create "change" for participants through interactive sessions and learning. Featuring expertise from both within and outside the exhibition industry, sessions are shaped by diverse perspectives, providing valuable knowledge for participants to take away.

Helen Sheppard Silvia Bauermeister Vincenzo Cecere

Day 3

Thursday, June 5

10:55 - 11:30 TIF-HELEXPO at Ioannis Vellidis center - Hall 3 Main Stage

Europe in the Middle: Why Global Trade Wars Make European Exhibitions More Vital Than Ever

European Conference track – Open to all

As trade tensions escalate between the US and China, Europe finds itself "literally” in the middle. With supply chains under pressure and businesses facing mounting uncertainty, the demand for face-to-face dialogue is growing. While the integrated EU economies are building a united front, countries like the UK and Türkiye find themselves with a unique arbitration advantage. This session unpacks how trade wars are reshaping industrial strategies and why exhibitions are emerging as essential platforms for navigating complexity, building trust, and restoring global commercial flow.

Baris Onay Geoff Dickinson Garcia Newell Tugce Cumalioglu Christine von Breitenbuch Vinnie Polito

12:35 - 13:50 TIF-HELEXPO at Ioannis Vellidis Center - Hall 1&2

Bate-papo Corner: Talks, Ideas, Exchange

European Conference track – Open to all

We are excited to launch the Bate-papo corner at the European Conference this year – a side-stage where open talks and discussions can take place between delegates on a wide range of topics. This is located in the main networking / coffee area.

The Bate-papo corner will be hosted by former UFI Next Generation Leader Joe Kowalsky from CloserStill Media USA.

12:35 - 13:00 - Your AI odyssey: What have you tried? What worked? What spectacularly didn't?

Speaker: Tim Groot, CEO & Founder - Grip

Join Tim who will facilitate a group discussion on how event organizers are actually using AI day-to-day. This isn’t a panel or death by PowerPoint. It’s a participatory workshop for event organizers who are rolling up their sleeves and actually using AI to improve operations, boost attendee engagement and rethink how events are run.

We invite you to bring your own AI experiments, tools, wins and questions. No slides, no long speeches, just real stories, real use cases and real curiosity, in a country that knows a thing or two about innovation.

13:00 - 13:25 - Agile minds, inclusive cultures

Speaker: Sonia Thomas, Vice President - Women In Exhibitions International

13:25 - 13:50: "Female Visitor Target Groups - Diversity Topic or Real Business Impact?"

Speaker: Susanne Hennigers, Director Corporate Partnerships & Platform Growth - Messe Munich

Joseph Kowalsky Tim Groot Sonia Thomas Susanne Hennigers

Swapcard

15:20 - 15:50 TIF-HELEXPO at Ioannis Vellidis Center - Hall 1&2

Bate-papo Corner: Why is it So Hard To Prove the ROI of Exhibitions?

European Conference track – Open to all

The Bate-papo corner will be hosted by former UFI Next Generation Leader Joe Kowalsky from CloserStill Media USA.

Chloe Richardson Ele Mather Ewa Doromoniec Vieira Joseph Kowalsky

Swapcard

Day 4

Friday, June 6

09:00 - 09:15 TIF-HELEXPO at Ioannis Vellidis Center - Stage Hall

Xchange Session: How to make profit by building modular?

European Conference track – Open to all

As a global leader in modular stand building solutions, Aluvision has spent over two decades helping the exhibit and event industry evolve—shifting from traditional custom-built structures to smarter, more flexible modular systems. This transformation isn’t just about sustainability or convenience; it’s a strategic move towards greater profitability.

In their keynote, Emmanuel Hamelinck, International Sales Director and Daan Ruysschaert, Business Development Manager at Aluvision, will explore how building modular enables organisers to increase profit margins—by optimising efficiency, reducing costs, streamlining logistics and unlocking creativity without compromising on visual impact.

Emmanuel Hamelinck Daan Ruysschaert

ALUVISION NV

09:15 - 09:30 TIF-HELEXPO at Ioannis Vellidis Center - Stage Hall

Xchange Session: It Just Works – Why Great Fairs Feel Seamless

European Conference track – Open to all

Great fairs feel seamless – for visitors, exhibitors, and organizers alike. But today’s reality is often far from it: disconnected tools, fragmented processes, and inconsistent experiences make even well-organised events feel clunky and unprofessional.

In this talk, we explore how it can be different. Drawing from the origins of our own products and the latest technological developments – including the power of AI – we show how connecting devices, tools, and data creates seamless, intuitive fair experiences.

Through real stories from the field, we highlight how integrated, stakeholder-focused processes not only improve operational efficiency but redefine what excellence in exhibitions looks like.

Seamless will be the new standard. The question is: Will you set this standard?

Rolf Schulte Strathaus Leon Funke

VisiFair - VisiTrans GmbH

10:10 - 10:55 TIF-HELEXPO at Ioannis Vellidis center - Hall 3 Main Stage

Rising Stars: The Future We Want

European Conference track – Open to all

If the future of exhibitions had a voice, this is what it would sound like.

Eight "Rising Stars" from Greece and Serbia have been nominated by their organizations to represent the future voice of the industry. In this fast-paced, high-impact lightning forum each Rising Star takes the stage not just as a junior professional, but as a visionary advocate for the exhibition industry’s future.

Maria Patlaka Alexandra Oikonomou Panagiotis Kafkopoulos Ioanna Polychronopoulou Katerina Traptsioni Joseph Kowalsky

11:05 - 11:45 TIF-HELEXPO at Ioannis Vellidis Center - Hall 1&2

Bate-papo Corner: Your Client's Not Confused–They're Just Unimpressed

European Conference track – Open to all

The Bate-papo corner will be hosted by former UFI Next Generation Leader Joe Kowalsky from CloserStill Media USA.

11:05-11:25: Your Client's Not Confused–They are Just Unimpressed

Speaker: Joerg Zeissig, President & CEO - IFES / Holtmann+

11:25-11:45: Better Policies for Europe – What Do We Need, What Should Be Improved, What Should Be Removed?

Speakers: Barbara Weizsaecker, Secretary General EEIA and EMECA

Joseph Kowalsky Barbara Weizsäcker Joerg Zeissig Dirk Urra

11:50 - 12:05 TIF-HELEXPO at Ioannis Vellidis center - Hall 3 Main Stage

Net Zero Measurement: Establishing Data Benchmarks

European Conference track – Open to all

This session will present the results of the Wednesday workshop on this topic which looked at efforts at both the organizational and national levels, showcasing case studies from exhibition organizers and industry associations while highlighting considerations in addressing legislative requirements. Attendees will be learn about collective industry efforts to establish standardized data and benchmarks, fostering a more consistent and effective approach to sustainability measurement.

Helen Sheppard Peirui Tan

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Programme at Glance

Event Directors Summit Icebreaker - SOLD OUT

Roadmap to Inclusion: From Internal Values to External Impact

Navigating the US Exhibition Ecosystem: Strategies for Success

Networking Lunch

The Elephant in the Room: Digital and Marketing Insights

Net Zero Measurement: Establishing Data Benchmarks for the Exhibition Industry

First-timers Reception

Speed Networking I

Europe Chapter Meeting (UFI Members Only)

Welcome Reception

Associations Committee Meeting (by invitation only)

Networking Refreshments

Bate-papo Corner: Gen Z - I want it all, now! (But only 4 days a week)

Opening Performance & Welcome

European Market Update

Europe in the Middle: Why Global Trade Wars Make European Exhibitions More Vital Than Ever

Doing Business in Greece - A Golden Opportunity

Beyond the Sqm Model: How Venues Are Unlocking New Formats, Experiences and Income

UFI 100 years - Founding Members Celebration and Quiz

Networking Lunch

Bate-papo Corner: Talks, Ideas, Exchange

Welcome Back From the Moderators

How Is the Industry Performing? Scores From Exhibitors and Visitors

What is the ROI of Exhibitions? What Do Our Customers Want?

Future Proofing Our Events And The Investor's Dilemma: Event Directors in the Hot Seat

The Elephant in the Room: Digital And Marketing Insights

Networking Break

Speed Networking Session II

Bate-papo Corner: Why is it So Hard To Prove the ROI of Exhibitions?

Welcome Back

Behind the Hype: How Agentic AI Drives the Revolution and Lets Us Work Smarter, Not Harder

Networking Dinner by the Sea - 100 years of TIF HELEXPO and UFI

Welcome Refreshments

Xchange Session: How to make profit by building modular?

Xchange Session: It Just Works – Why Great Fairs Feel Seamless

Xchange Session: Make that Mobile App Money! Insights from CloserStill Media

Conference Reopens

Rising Stars: The Future We Want

Networking Break

Bate-papo Corner: Your Client's Not Confused–They're Just Unimpressed

Net Zero Measurement: Establishing Data Benchmarks

Roadmap to Inclusion: What We Learned and Where We’re Going

Promoting Reusability with “Better Stands by NZCE”

Conference Summing Up and Reflections

Closing Lunch

Fast Schedule

Day 1

Event Directors Summit Icebreaker - SOLD OUT

Day 2

Event Directors Summit - SOLD OUT

Roadmap to Inclusion: From Internal Values to External Impact

Navigating the US Exhibition Ecosystem: Strategies for Success

Networking Lunch

The Elephant in the Room: Digital and Marketing Insights

Net Zero Measurement: Establishing Data Benchmarks for the Exhibition Industry

First-timers Reception

Speed Networking I

Europe Chapter Meeting (UFI Members Only)

Welcome Reception

Day 3

UFI Sports Club

Associations Committee Meeting (by invitation only)

Networking Refreshments

Bate-papo Corner: Gen Z - I want it all, now! (But only 4 days a week)

Opening Performance & Welcome

Welcome From the Moderators

European Market Update

Europe in the Middle: Why Global Trade Wars Make European Exhibitions More Vital Than Ever

Doing Business in Greece - A Golden Opportunity

Beyond the Sqm Model: How Venues Are Unlocking New Formats, Experiences and Income

UFI 100 years - Founding Members Celebration and Quiz

Networking Lunch

Bate-papo Corner: Talks, Ideas, Exchange

Welcome Back From the Moderators

How Is the Industry Performing? Scores From Exhibitors and Visitors

What is the ROI of Exhibitions? What Do Our Customers Want?

Future Proofing Our Events And The Investor's Dilemma: Event Directors in the Hot Seat