100 years of contribution for TIF-HELEXPO and UFI
A key milestone for the exhibition industry, the UFI European Conference will be held from 3 to 7 June at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition & Congress Center.
This landmark event focused on innovation, sustainability, and the future of the sector coincides with the centennial anniversaries of both TIF-HELEXPO and UFI. The UFI’s centenary celebrations will begin in Thessaloniki, which will also host the UFI European Events Week, including a series of initiatives dedicated to the international exhibition industry.
Hosting this event marks significant recognition of Thessaloniki’s and TIF-HELEXPO’s strategic role on the European exhibition and conference map, while also highlighting the organizer’s unwavering commitment to responsible, innovative, and sustainable development.
Approximately 350 senior executives from the exhibition industry across 37 countries, the highest attendance ever for this particular conference are expected to participate. The main thematic axes will include the current geopolitical landscape, sustainability, digital innovation, and talent/HR management. The program will also feature the relaunch of the “Better Stands” initiative for sustainable stand construction, the presentation of the new UFI/Explori research on visitor and exhibitor satisfaction post-pandemic, as well as key institutional meetings, such as the UFI Board of Directors.
“Thessaloniki is a vibrant city, welcoming, with rich cultural heritage and a dynamic business environment an ideal setting for bringing together representatives from more than 37 countries. We are proud and delighted to be celebrating our 100th anniversary together with TIF-HELEXPO and to have the opportunity to showcase the city’s growing appeal as a premier destination for conferences and exhibitions,” notes Nick Dugdale-Moore, Head of Regions & Regional Director Europe at UFI.
In parallel with the UFI Conference, the General Assemblies of CEFA (Central European Fair Alliance) and SOKEE (Greek Exhibition Industry Association) will also take place, with SOKEE holding its Annual General Assembly on 3 June at the “Ioannis Vellidis” Conference Center.
ISO 20121 Sustainability Certification for the UFI European Conference
The conference is being held in full compliance with the ISO 20121 international standard, which sets the requirements for sustainable event management.
This standard integrates environmental, social, and economic aspects throughout the life cycle of an event, aiming to identify and reduce environmental impact, enhance social inclusion and accessibility, support the local economy through partnerships with responsible suppliers, and foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
To meet these goals, TIF-HELEXPO has adopted a comprehensive Sustainable Management System that includes the establishment of measurable objectives, the implementation of Health & Safety regulations, training and active engagement of all stakeholders, the application of circular economy practices, and systematic monitoring of results.
The culmination of this effort will be the joint awarding of the ISO Certificate for sustainable event management to UFI and TIF-HELEXPO an important acknowledgment of their commitment to sustainability principles.
The national exhibition body’s objective is for TIF-HELEXPO’s activities to serve as a model for the sustainable organization of exhibitions and conferences at both European and international levels.