UFI Announces Recipients of Inaugural “Next Generation Leadership Grant” Program

May 17, 2016

A truly global group of talent from the exhibition industry has been selected as the first-ever recipients of the new “Next Generation Leadership Grant” launched by UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.

The program promotes the next generation leadership in the exhibition industry, who show clear initiatives in driving change and innovation in their respective area.

Out of the numerous applications from 16 different countries, a jury, chaired by UFI President Sergey Alexeev, selected the five recipients of the grant. They are (in alphabetical order):

• Adeline Larroque Desages, Acting Head of Exhibition Planning and Organisation Section, Quatar Tourism Authority (Qatar)
• Jennifer Feeney, Account Director, Freeman XP (USA)
• Vineet Mahajan, General Manager, Reed India (India)
• Farokh Shahabi Nezhad, Co-Founder, Eventbox (Iran)
• Matthias Pollmann, Project Manager interzum, Koelnmesse GmbH (Germany)

“We received many great applications from all around the world, and we could have awarded the grant to most of them. So we needed long and hard discussions. This shows just how full of talent our industry truly is,” Sergey Alexeev said. “I am very pleased that we came up with this fantastic group of people from all around the world.”

The grantees will meet in Paris in June for a two-day workshop at the UFI Headquarters. There, they will exchange their views on the future of the exhibition industry and start working on their joint session for the 2016 UFI Congress, to be held Nov. 9-12 in Shanghai. Throughout their preparations, they will be mentored and coached by the UFI team.

“The current hot topics range from disruptive technology all the way through to optimizing customer experiences at exhibitions,”summarizes Kai Hattendorf, UFI Managing Director, the industry outlooks that were presented in the grant applications. “This will add up to a fascinating dialogue with our industry’s leaders – in Shanghai and beyond.”

The selection jury was comprised of Sergey Alexeev (UFI president and VP Expoforum, St. Petersburg), Enrica Baccini, chair of the UFI Educnation Committee, and chief research and development officer at Fondazione Fiera Milano), Julian Baker (group strategy director at Reed Exhibitions), Kai Hattendorf (UFI managing director), and Angela Herberholz, (UFI marketing and communications manager). The Next Generation Leadership Grant is made possible thanks to financial support from Reed Exhibitions.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here. New Wave Experiences Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024. Enhanced Technology Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space. Refreshing New Design & Fine Art The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights. Sustainable Spectacles Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles. The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.