This decision was made at the board meeting during the UFI European Conference in Verona, Italy, and becomes effective at the conclusion of the 85th UFI Global Congress, which runs from Oct. 31- Nov. 3 in St. Petersburg.

Corrado Peraboni, UFI’s current president, welcomed the election of Larkin, saying: “I congratulate Mary Larkin for being elected as the new UFI incoming President. It will be a great privilege for me to be part of the presidential trio, together with Craig Newman and Andreas Gruchow in this historical moment - Mary will be the first female president in UFI’s history and also the first to be based in the U.S. I wish her every success in performing all the important duties that are required of this position.”

The UFI presidential trio for the 2018/19 term will comprise of: Craig Newman (Johannesburg Expo Centre, South Africa) President 2018/19; Mary Larkin (Diversified Communications, Portland, Me.) Incoming President; Corrado Peraboni (Fiera Milano, Italy) Outgoing President.

"I am delighted to be part of UFI’s leadership in the coming years and to continue with the development and support that UFI has provided the industry for so long,” Larkin said.

She added, “I am particularly looking forward to representing and working with women to help increase the level of female representation in leadership positions within the industry."

As UFI’s incoming president, Mary Larkin will work closely with the incumbent President and outgoing President to make up the presidential trio, managing UFI at the highest level, and helping UFI continue on its path of global development.