The UFI Board of Directors has announced that Wolfram Diener, President and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, has been elected UFI President for 2026-27. Diener will officially join the UFI Presidential Trio as the new President in November 2025 and will officially assume the office of President at the 93rd UFI Global Congress in Bahrain in November 2026.
The UFI Presidential Trio will serve from November 2025 to November 2026 and will include: Panita Buri (Vice Chairman of the Bhiraj Buri Group) as President, Huw Jones (CEO of RX) as Outgoing Chairman and Wolfram Diener as Incoming Chairman. The handover will take effect after the 92nd UFI Global Congress, which will be held in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region from November 19 to 22, 2025.
Diener has been President and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf since July 2020. With more than 30 years of leadership experience in the global exhibition industry, he has played a key role in shaping the exhibition landscape in Asia. Previously, he held leadership positions at UBM Asia (now Informa Markets), The Venetian Macao Ltd., Marina Bay Sands Singapore Ltd., Shanghai New International Expo Centre Ltd. and Messe Frankfurt AG. Since joining the Executive Board of Messe Düsseldorf in 2018, Diener has played a key role in the Group's international growth strategy.
Wolfram Diener, President-Elect of UFI, said: “I am honoured to assume the role of UFI President at a time of global challenges – not only because I represent the industry, but also because I believe deeply in UFI’s ability to connect, inspire and drive progress. We must be where the economy needs us most: in emerging markets and at the crossroads of global exchange. We are bridge builders – within the industry and between business, politics and science. In line with this mission, I am committed to creating a collaborative, future-oriented and impactful global exhibition industry, so that we can make our greatest contribution to driving progress in the world.”
UFI President Hugh Jones added: “I am delighted to welcome Wolfram Diener to the UFI Wolfram has extensive leadership experience, having worked for one of the most successful and respected exhibition organisations in the world. Under his leadership, Messe Düsseldorf has achieved significant international expansion, strategic innovation and sustained growth. His deep industry knowledge, global perspective and forward-looking vision enable him to lead the future development of our industry. I look forward to working alongside him to shape a more connected, sustainable and innovative exhibition world. ”
Chris Skeith OBE, CEO and Managing Director of UFI, said: “I have known Wolfram for many years, having recently taken over as CEO of UFI, where he served as Treasurer of the UFI Executive Committee and as a member of the UFI Board of Directors. I have always had great respect for him, so I am delighted that he will become the new President of UFI for the 2026/27 term. His extensive international experience and deep understanding of the perspectives of organisers and venues will be invaluable as we lead UFI together into its next exciting chapter.”
At UFI, Diener has been actively involved in the leadership of the association. Since November 2021, he has been Treasurer of the UFI Executive Committee and a member of the UFI Board of Directors. As the new President, he will work closely with the current and outgoing Presidents to help guide UFI's strategic direction and strengthen its global mission to connect, support and promote the exhibition industry.
Founded in 1925, UFI is a non-profit, international and non-partisan association representing more than 50,000 exhibition industry professionals from 90 countries. UFI is headquartered in Paris and has regional offices in Asia, North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa. UFI has members around the world, and past Presidents include leaders from the UAE, the UK, Hong Kong, India, the United States and South Africa.
Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China 