PARIS – A week today, 7 June 2017, is Global Exhibitions Day (#GED17). With events all over the world, and an active online campaign, thousands of professionals and students are set to join celebrations highlighting the power of the exhibition industry, and the diverse career opportunities it creates.
Now in its second year, GED17 puts a special focus on the people and jobs in the exhibition industry, under the title “Think Global – Act Local”. Under the coordination of UFI, The Global Association for the Exhibition Industry, activities have been scheduled in 45 countries and regions around the world. 40 Global Exhibitions Day partner associations are united behind this joint awareness-raising campaign.
UFI Managing Director / CEO Kai Hattendorf says: “GED is a truly global celebration of the exhibition industry, and all its highly-valued people! I’d like to congratulate our amazing colleagues and friends who this week are joining forces everywhere to create a global buzz that, I am sure, will spread throughout our industry and beyond.”
With 260 million visitors and 4.4 million exhibitors generating EUR 98 billion revenues every year, GED highlights the positive impact of exhibitions on jobs, business, innovation and local investment. UFI estimates that half of exhibition spending benefits host territories directly, and the other half benefits the exhibitions industry, creating or maintaining hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Support for GED has consistently grown since its launch last year, with a wave of new events ranging from national-level lobbying to local community actions. Countries showing support for the first time this year include Bahrain, Ethiopia, Finland, Honduras, Japan, Serbia and Sweden.
UFI is receiving messages of support for GED from around the world that highlight the enthusiasm many professionals share for their work in tradeshows and exhibitions, whether in marketing, operations, sales or behind-the-scenes.
