Kai Hattendorf has served the UFI as its CEO for the past 10 years. Photo Credit: UFI
UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has announced
the imminent departure of Kai Hattendorf, who has been serving as the
association’s CEO since joining the organisation in 2015.
“These past 10 years as the association’s CEO have been an amazing
journey, serving the global exhibitions and business events industry,”
Hattendorf said. “A role like this is a stewardship for every person in
office, and part of that stewardship is to find the right time to pass
on the baton to a new leader. I could think of no better time to do this
than the coming months, and as part of UFI’s centennial where we
recognise the achievement of the past while preparing for the challenges
of tomorrow.”
This announcement comes as the association prepares for a year-long
programme schedule that will commemorate the organisation’s centennial
at the 2024 Global Congress that will take place from 20 – 23 November
in Cologne, Germany.
The UFI leadership team is currently supported by president Geoff
Dickinson and COO Adeline Vancauwelaert, and is in the midst of
recruiting the association’s next CEO.
“I cannot highlight enough how Kai’s tireless work over the past ten
years has driven UFI’s growth and development through good times as well
as the pandemic – the worst crisis we all had to face in our lifetime,”
shared Dickinson.
“Kai’s commitment to our industry is unparalleled, and we will make sure to see him off in style towards the end of the year.”