Global Exhibition Industry Association Names New CEO

Chris Skeith becomes CEO of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, on January 1. He replaces Kai Hattendorf. Skeith joins from the Association of Event Organizers (AEO) where he has served as CEO for a decade. 

An active member of UFI, Skeith has chaired the Associations Committee and served on UFI’s Executive Committee.

Hattendorf announced in August that he would be leaving UFI. He has served as CEO since 2015.

Data has been an increasing focus of the events industry and Skeith’s background in creating auditing products for the event sector with the Audit Bureau of Circulations will be useful.

In 2006, he joined the Events Industry Alliance (EIA), overseeing the merger of AEC and BECA to form ESSA (Event Supplier & Services Association). In 2010, he also became director of ESSA’s sister association, AEV (Association of Event Venues). There, he helped drive venue engagement through numerous special interest groups.

 “I look forward to continuing to serve our great industry, now on a global level at UFI,” said Skeith. “I am joining a UFI team that is already setting the global standard on research, advocacy, collaboration, and community excellence, and I will do my very best to build on the great work that has been done in the last decade.” 

UFI to Commemorate Centennial in November

UFI is preparing for a special Global Congress November 20-23 in Cologne, Germany commemorating its centennial. 

“I could think of no better time to do this than the coming months, and as part of UFI’s centennial where we recognize the achievement of the past while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow,” said Hattendorf.

Hattendorf is credited with helping UFI expand into the Americas. It met in the U.S. for the first time in 2023 at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. 

He also spearheaded the creation of a new North America chapter led by trade show management company MAD Event Management. 

On the Skift Meetings podcast, Hattendorf shared his key trends impacting the exhibition industry.