The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) has selected Chris Skeith as the organisation's next Chief Executive Officer. Skeith will take up his post on 1 January 2025, succeeding Kai Hattendorf. He joins from the Association of Event Organisers (AEO), the leading association for event organisers in the UK, where he has served as CEO since 2014.
"We interviewed several excellent candidates from within and outside UFI and are confident that in Chris we have selected an outstanding leader who will continue the development and expansion of UFI as the world's leading industry association," says Geoff Dickinson, President of UFI. "Chris has been active in UFI for many years, serving as Chairman of the Association Committee and as a member of the UFI Executive Committee. In his role as AEO, he has worked closely with our current management team, Kai and Adeline, in many areas from event management to advocacy. With his excellent track record, he is well qualified to take on the role of UFI CEO.
Chris brings almost 20 years of association work in the UK events industry to his new role. He has worked in the Events Industry Alliance (EIA) where he oversaw the merger of AEC and BECA to form ESSA (Event Supplier & Services Association). In 2010 he also became a director of ESSA's sister organisation, the Association of Event Venues (AEV). He continues to be a director of the EIA, which represents the sector to government and the authorities. He was awarded an Order of the British Empire OBE in 2021 in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to the events industry.
Further information: https://www.ufi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/UFI_Media_Release_CEO_Chris_Skeith.pdf