UFI, founded in 1926, began with 20 European trade fair members, and has grown to represents 750 organisations today.

As well as its headquarters in Paris, UFI has regional offices in Hong Kong, China and Sharjah, UAE.

Andrew Harrison, ESSA director, explained his association’s reasons for joining: “UFI’s global audience of exhibition venues and organisers is an important one for our members. Its membership has expanded rapidly over the last 10 years, and it offers many platforms and opportunities for promoting ESSA members to global exhibition businesses.

“UFI membership allows us to continue facilitating networks of international information and best practice. Now was the right time to join with the UFI European Conference coming to The NEC in May 2019, and we’ll be developing those all-important links and relationships ahead of this event.”

Kai Hattendorf (pictured), UFI CEO, welcomed ESSA to the association saying: “It gives me great pleasure to welcome ESSA to the UFI membership, and I look forward to its engagement with the regular meetings of our regional chapters and thematic working groups. We share many of the same values and ethics and we both understand the vital importance of networking platforms where professionals in the exhibition industry can exchange ideas and experiences.”