UFI celebrates 11th GED

/

Paris, 11th June: UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, celebrated its 11th edition of Global Exhibition Day (GED) on 3rd June 2026, under the theme of “Exhibitions Drive Opportunities” and a newly refreshed campaign logo.

Three key messages were highlighted in GED 2026: how exhibitions drive opportunities for people, by fostering skills, careers, and face-to-face connections; for the planet, by accelerating sustainable innovation and responsible industry practices; and for performance, by powering business growth, opening new marketing, and enabling direct customer engagement.

Panittha Buri, UFI President, said, “Seeing Global Exhibitions Day celebrated worldwide is a reminder that our industry is in the business of making connections happen.  People, ideas, opportunities & businesses crossing borders – it’s networking on a global scale, with measurable results.”

GED 2026 was supported by over 75 national and international industry associations.

Informa Markets launches Hongqiao Tech Week in November

/

Shanghai, 11th June: The leading exhibition organiser worldwide, Informa Markets, announced to launch Hongqiao Tech Week, under Informa Markets China, running from 20th to 22nd November 2026, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai.

The new show will provide a platform for global enterprises, visionary leaders, startups, investors, and technology solutions providers to unlock growth opportunities and foster China-focused partnerships.

The inaugural edition will be themed as “Where Global Tech Ambition Meets Chinese Scale”, featuring six thematic content stages: AI, Future Mobility & Energy, Digital Infrastructure, Industry 4.0, Life Sciences & Health, and Startup.

Ms. Athena Gong, Vice President of Informa Markets Asia, was quoted, “Hongqiao Tech Week is more than an event. It is a gateway to the future – where international businesses discover China’s tech economy, innovators find inspiration, and ambitious pioneers shape the next decade of technological progress.”

Thailand unveils tourism strategy

/

Thailand, 11th June: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has recently outlined its latest tourism strategy at Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2026, with the theme Healing is the new luxury: Define your new luxury; discover unforgettable experiences.

Wellness and restorative travel are the key highlights for the new strategy, offering through five pillars: Retreats, Rituals, Reels, Rhythms and Relations. With the new strategy, Thailand will be positioned as a destination where travel supports well-being through nature, culture, hospitality, gastronomy, wellness and local connections.

TAT deputy governor for marketing Nithee Seeprae, stated, “Travellers are increasingly seeking destinations that offer comfort, balance, and peace of mind. Thailand provides meaningful experiences, genuine hospitality, and the healing power of nature and culture.”

TAT expects total tourism revenue of 2.65 trillion baht (US$81 million) from domestic and international tourism in 2026, with an expected 33 million international arrivals.

Quick takes

/

UFI opens registration for 93rd UFI Global Congress

UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has opened the registrations to all UFI members for the 93rd UFI Global Congress, taking place from 2nd to 5th November 2026, in the Kingdom of Bahrain, hosted by Exhibition World Bahrain and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA).

SCIIF 2026 welcomes 120,000+ professional visits

Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai, Deutsche Messe’s subsidiary in China, concluded its 2026 South China International Industry Fair (SCIIF) on 12th June, at Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center, showcasing over 800 exhibitors and welcoming 120,249 professional visits. The event featured eight core themed sections, covering an exhibition area of 80,000 m2. It is also supported by a complete ecosystem spanning policy guidance, technology implementation, industrial applications and ecosystem upgrading, AI is moving deeper into the industrial core. The next edition of the South China International Industry Fair will return to Shenzhen, running from 16th to 18th June 2027.

Messe Düsseldorf launches 10 new shows in 2025

International exhibition organiser, Messe Düsseldorf Group, released its financial results for 2025, generating revenue of €374.4 million (US$440 million) and a profit after taxes of €44.4 million (US$52 million). In 2025, the company organised 81 trade shows worldwide, 55 were international and 26 were base in Düsseldorf, bringing 23,695 exhibitors and more than one million visitors to Düsseldorf. The company added 10 new trade shows last year: five in Düsseldorf and five worldwide.