UFI Announces Recipients of Inaugural “Next Generation Leadership Grant” Program

May 17, 2016

A truly global group of talent from the exhibition industry has been selected as the first-ever recipients of the new “Next Generation Leadership Grant” launched by UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.

The program promotes the next generation leadership in the exhibition industry, who show clear initiatives in driving change and innovation in their respective area.

Out of the numerous applications from 16 different countries, a jury, chaired by UFI President Sergey Alexeev, selected the five recipients of the grant. They are (in alphabetical order):

• Adeline Larroque Desages, Acting Head of Exhibition Planning and Organisation Section, Quatar Tourism Authority (Qatar)
• Jennifer Feeney, Account Director, Freeman XP (USA)
• Vineet Mahajan, General Manager, Reed India (India)
• Farokh Shahabi Nezhad, Co-Founder, Eventbox (Iran)
• Matthias Pollmann, Project Manager interzum, Koelnmesse GmbH (Germany)

“We received many great applications from all around the world, and we could have awarded the grant to most of them. So we needed long and hard discussions. This shows just how full of talent our industry truly is,” Sergey Alexeev said. “I am very pleased that we came up with this fantastic group of people from all around the world.”

The grantees will meet in Paris in June for a two-day workshop at the UFI Headquarters. There, they will exchange their views on the future of the exhibition industry and start working on their joint session for the 2016 UFI Congress, to be held Nov. 9-12 in Shanghai. Throughout their preparations, they will be mentored and coached by the UFI team.

“The current hot topics range from disruptive technology all the way through to optimizing customer experiences at exhibitions,”summarizes Kai Hattendorf, UFI Managing Director, the industry outlooks that were presented in the grant applications. “This will add up to a fascinating dialogue with our industry’s leaders – in Shanghai and beyond.”

The selection jury was comprised of Sergey Alexeev (UFI president and VP Expoforum, St. Petersburg), Enrica Baccini, chair of the UFI Educnation Committee, and chief research and development officer at Fondazione Fiera Milano), Julian Baker (group strategy director at Reed Exhibitions), Kai Hattendorf (UFI managing director), and Angela Herberholz, (UFI marketing and communications manager). The Next Generation Leadership Grant is made possible thanks to financial support from Reed Exhibitions.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.