Bahrain opened the 93rd UFI Global Congress at Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) on November 3, welcoming international industry leaders and senior executives to discuss emerging opportunities, challenges and the future of the global exhibitions sector.
Hosting the congress
for the first time marks a milestone for the Kingdom, strengthening its
international profile as a destination for business tourism, exhibitions and
major international events.
The opening ceremony
was attended b Fatima Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism; Sarah Buhejji, Chief
Executive Officer of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) and
Chairperson of Exhibition World Bahrain; and Chris Skeith OBE, CEO and Managing
Director of UFI, alongside international industry representatives and
delegates.
Al Sairafi said
hosting the congress reflected Bahrain’s growing standing within the
international exhibitions industry and demonstrated global confidence in the
Kingdom’s ability to organise major international gatherings.
“Beyond the
significance of the Congress itself, we see this occasion as an important
opportunity to showcase Bahrain to the international exhibitions community,
deepen international partnerships, and strengthen connections that will shape
the future of our tourism and business events sectors. We welcome the global
exhibitions community to the Kingdom and look forward to building on this
momentum to create lasting opportunities for our tourism and wider economy,”
she said.
She also highlighted
Bahrain’s combination of cultural heritage, hospitality, diverse attractions
and culinary experiences, supported by modern infrastructure and an accessible
destination for international visitors.
The congress programme
addresses developments in the global business environment and opportunities for
the exhibitions industry to strengthen confidence, respond to emerging trends
and accelerate growth.
Plenary sessions and
professional exchanges are also providing a platform for international
partnerships and innovative ideas aimed at delivering long-term value to the
sector.
Meanwhile, Buhejji
highlighted the importance of international cooperation, innovation and
investment in strengthening Bahrain’s position as a regional destination for
exhibitions and conferences.
Speaking during a
panel discussion entitled “Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Building
Confidence and Accelerating Growth”, she said greater flexibility and closer
international cooperation were essential to maintaining industry confidence and
supporting sustainable growth amid changing market conditions.
Buhejji said BTEA was
working to enhance Bahrain’s competitiveness in business tourism through
expanded partnerships, national capability development and attracting major
international events that contribute to tourism and the wider economy.
She also emphasised
the importance of operational readiness, stakeholder coordination and
adaptability in ensuring business continuity. Investment in infrastructure and
stronger public-private partnerships, she added, remained central to developing
the exhibitions industry.
Buhejji noted that
exhibitions and conferences generate economic benefits beyond the events
sector, supporting trade, investment and growth across tourism, hospitality,
aviation, transport and other services. She stressed that events should be
evaluated according to their long-term economic contribution.
The congress is also
expected to generate networking opportunities among exhibition organisers,
venue operators and industry stakeholders, reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a
gateway to business opportunities across the Gulf and wider region.
Hosting the event further highlights Exhibition World Bahrain’s capabilities as an international venue. Since opening in November 2022, EWB has strengthened the Kingdom’s events infrastructure and expanded its capacity to accommodate major regional and international exhibitions, conventions and business gatherings. -TradeArabia News Service