UFI Elects Monica Lee-Müller as President for 2021-22
August 4, 2020
For the second year in a row, the UFI Board of Directors has elected a woman president. In an announcement made July 29, UFI declared Monica Lee-Müller as president of UFI for the 2021-22 period. This decision will become effective at the conclusion of the 87th UFI Global Congress, set for Nov. 15-20.
Lee-Müller has served as managing director of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (HML) since 2012. HML is the professional private company responsible for the management and operation of the 306,000 square-metre Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). About 1,000 events are held at the HKCEC every year.
She has been active in UFI for many years, supporting the association’s mission and driving developments, especially on diversity and sustainability projects. In addition, she has served as a board member of UFI for the past 12 years.
“I am thrilled to welcome Monica to the UFI leadership alongside Anbu Varathan,” said Mary Larkin, UFI’s current president. “Monica has been a very active member in our industry and has... also been very involved with UFI as a board member, and I look forward to working with her as she takes on the role of incoming president.”
She added, “Having worked with Monica, I know she will be a wonderful leader for all aspects of our industry.”
The UFI Presidential Trio for the 2020/21 term will comprise of:
- Monica Lee-Müller, Incoming President
- Anbu Varathan (Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association - IMTMA, India), President 2020/21
- Mary Larkin (Diversified Communications, Portland, USA), Outgoing President
“As we experience the world’s economy being seriously impacted by COVID-19, I am more confident than ever about the significant role of UFI and importance of the exhibitions it supports,” says Lee-Müller. “It will be an extraordinary honour to join with the UFI leadership in the coming years in moving this remarkable industry forward into a new era. I accept the challenge ahead, for it is our global network of industry professionals working together that can meet that challenge.”
Lee-Müller will work closely with the incumbent president and outgoing president to make up the presidential trio, managing UFI at the highest level and helping the organization continue its global mission to connect, support and promote the exhibition industry around the world.
UFI was founded in 1925 as a non-profit, non-partisan international association, and today is the global association for the exhibitions industry, directly representing more than 50,000 exhibition industry professionals in almost 90 countries globally. UFI operates four regional offices in addition to its headquarters in Paris.
Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.
Remodeled Guest Rooms
MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino recently completed a $63M redesign and remodel of its 1,830 guest rooms and 155 suites.
Down the street, Bellagio Las Vegas is sporting renovated rooms in the Spa Tower with sunrise-inspired decor and luxurious soaking tubs in Premier King rooms after a $110-million transformation.
Reinvented Luxury Experiences
The Luxury Meetings District, made up of Bellagio Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas, is now more connected than ever before. A new interior walkway opened this October for a seamless attendee experience – connecting Vdara, Bellagio, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, guests can now walk from Park MGM to Bellagio in around 15 minutes.
New on the scene in the Luxury Meetings District is Cathedrale at ARIA, TAO Group’s upscale establishment specializing in exquisite French-Mediterranean cuisine offering elevated private dining experiences that opened in May.
Heralded by World’s Best 50 Restaurants, GQ and VOGUE, LPM at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is opening this fall and will deliver its signature spontaneity and imaginative celebration of France’s Mediterranean cuisine, art, and culture to the unique luxury resort in impeccable fashion.
A “New Wave for Mandalay Bay
A new wave of enhancements and experiences has arrived at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, including Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, an 8,445-square-foot restaurant that opened this June, perfect for pre- and post-game eats and drinks. Event planner’s favorite, Chef Michael Mina’s StripSteak, received a full renovation and now includes one of the largest private dining rooms on The Strip. Retro by Voltaggio debuts a one-year residency with a fun take on pop culture of the 80s and 90s with classic American dishes. An exciting addition planned for 2024 is Swingers, a 40,000-square-foot oasis of street food, miniature golf and art at Mandalay Bay.
Most exciting for meeting planners, the 2.1 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center is undergoing a complete refresh, with lightened space, added eye-catching art, and improved technology infrastructure for even more flexible space. Energy-efficient digital signage now leads the way with faster internet speeds and new AV options.
From renovated guest rooms and meeting spaces to celebrated dining options and dedicated teams, MGM Resorts is dedicated to delivering exceptional and innovative meeting experiences.
Add new comment