UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibitions Industry has revealed that Global Exhibitions Day 2018 (GED18) will be held June 6. 

GED inspires exhibition associations and companies to run initiatives all around, with the goal of raising the sector’s profile as a vital contributor to economic growth in cities, regions and countries.

Now in its third year, GED is an opportunity to celebrate the exhibition industry and highlight the positive impact it has on jobs, business, innovation and local investment.

“Global Exhibitions day is about advocacy, about raising our industry’s profile. Organisers - venues - associations - individuals: Everyone taking part in the activities around the world, shows how connected our industry is,” said UFI Managing Director Kai Hattendorf.

He added, “We are called ‘an invisible giant’ sometimes - let’s show the world the real size and reach of exhibitions and business events.”

In 2017, 41 partner associations came together to support this awareness-raising campaign, carrying out activities in 67 countries and regions around the world.

The campaign reached more than 3 million people on Twitter alone. To further the industry’s growth and progression, UFI’s 2018 President, Corrado Peraboni, asked the GED steering group to focus this year's efforts on finding new ways to connect young people to the exhibition industry and, more specifically, to raise awareness about the amazing career opportunities the sector has to offer.

To this end, this year’s GED events and programmes will centre on two key issues: industry advocacy and attracting the right talent.

One initiative that UFI is promoting in collaboration with GED18 is the “Follow me” videos. As part of this initiative, UFI has invited members to create “Follow me” videos that showcase a specific role or introduce a certain employee to demonstrate just how rich and varied the career opportunities within the exhibition industry are.

All videos relevant to GED18 will be added to the Global Exhibitions Day playlist at www.ufi.tv. During the coming weeks, UFI will roll out a new online data collection tool that enables GED supporters to share their activities.

This will help to grow the GED18 community and improve communications about all the amazing initiatives happening around the world.

This tool will be available to all industry professionals on the GED website, so anyone interested in participating in GED18 can easily find out what is happening in their area.

UFI would like to invite all industry professionals to get ready for and get involved in the many different events that will be taking place around the world – and help make GED18 the best Global Exhibitions Day yet!

How to contribute to this year’s GED and become part of a dynamic global community:

· Regularly visit www.globalexhibitionsday.org for updates and developments

· Join a local initiative or be inspired to set up your own GED18 initiative*

· Follow GED18 on social media via Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Wechat and LinkedIn

· Last but not least, encourage your peers and colleagues to join the campaign

As in previous years, GED partners have been working on the core messages and UFI will soon share the results of this ongoing collaboration on the GED18 website. Please keep an eye on www.globalexhibitionsday.org for regular updates.

*List of #GED18 partner associations under the UFI umbrella: AAXO (South Africa), AEFI (Italy), AEO (UK), AFE (Spain), AFECA (Asia), AFIDA (Central & South America), AMPROFEC (Mexico), AOCA (Argentina), AUMA (Germany), CAEM (Canada), CEFA (Central Europe), CENTREX (Central Europe), CFI (Italy), EEAA (Australasia), EEIA (EU), EFU (Ukraine), EMECA (Europe), EXSA (South Africa), FAIRLINK (Sweden), FAMAB (Germany), HKECIA (Hong-Kong), IAEE (USA), IDFA (Germany), IECA (Indonesia), IEIA (India), IELA (Global), IFES (Global), LECA (Lebanon), MACEOS (Malaysia), MFTA (Macao), PCEI (Poland), RUEF (Russia), SACEOS/SECB (Singapore), Shanghai Convention and Exhibition Industries Association (China), SISO (USA), TEA (Thailand), TECA (Taiwan), TFOA (Turkey), UBRAFE (Brazil) and UNIMEV (France).