This year’s award focused on smart and innovative technologies that deliver benefits and facilitate the work of venues, exhibitors and event managers. All submitted entries were carefully reviewed by the UFI Operations & Services Committee on July 6 at the UFI headquarters in Paris. Every entry showcased a valuable project and the shortlist included: IFEMA of Spain, Corferias of Colombia, Milton Exhibits of China, EACA of Oregon and Stockholmsmassan of Sweden. After thorough consideration, Stockholmsmassan was chosen as the winner.

“All the entries shared experiences and best practices that bring innovation and efficiency to our industry,” says Giacomo Lucchini, chair of the UFI Operations & Services Committee. “However, Roboplotter demonstrated a real increase in measurable productivity for exhibition operations.”

“We are honored to receive this award,” says Andreas Holmgren, IT director at Stockholmsmassan. “Together with our partner Intelligent Machines, we have spent many years fine-tuning this concept to arrive at the robust and stable product you see today. Roboplotter massively facilitates lean production processes and we are happy to have this opportunity to inspire the entire UFI community with this solution.”  

The main objective of the UFI Operations & Services Award is to honor those in the exhibition industry who have successfully implemented creative and results-oriented initiatives. It rewards the use of smart and innovative technology to improve events. UFI’s awards celebrate excellence in areas ranging from human resources and digital innovation to trade-fair poster design and sustainable development

UFI plans to share the chosen projects at the 85th UFI Global Congress in Saint Petersburg, Russia from Oct. 31-Nov. 3. For more info, visit ufievent.org/stpetersburg2018.