The 93rd UFI Global Congress 2026 will take place from 2–5 November in the Kingdom of Bahrain, bringing together exhibition industry leaders to discuss global trends, business opportunities, technology, artificial intelligence and the future of live events.
UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, is preparing for the 93rd UFI Global Congress 2026, one of the exhibition industry’s major international gatherings. Hosted by Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) and the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), the four-day congress will unite professionals and decision-makers from across the global exhibition and business events ecosystem.
Organised around the theme “Stronger Connections, Smarter Futures,” UFI Global Congress 2026 will examine how exhibition organisers, venue operators and industry stakeholders can navigate uncertainty, strengthen business relationships and identify new opportunities in a rapidly changing global marketplace.
The congress will provide a platform for industry leaders to exchange insights, discuss emerging challenges and explore strategies for building resilient businesses while creating greater value through face-to-face events.
Bahrain to Host the 93rd UFI Global Congress for the First Time
The 93rd UFI Global Congress represents an important milestone for Bahrain’s business events sector. By welcoming the international exhibition community, the Kingdom aims to showcase its exhibition infrastructure, hospitality and growing position as a destination for international conferences and business events.
Sara Ahmed Buhejji, CEO of the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority and Chairperson of Exhibition World Bahrain, highlighted the importance of hosting the global gathering.
She said the congress would bring the international exhibition community together in the Kingdom for the first time, creating opportunities for industry leaders to exchange ideas, explore emerging trends and establish valuable professional connections.
Buhejji also emphasised Bahrain’s distinctive hospitality, international connectivity and developing business events ecosystem. Beyond the conference sessions, delegates will have opportunities to experience the destination and build relationships that extend beyond the four-day event.
The hosting arrangement also highlights the role of Exhibition World Bahrain in attracting major international industry gatherings and supporting the Kingdom’s ambitions in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sector.
“Stronger Connections, Smarter Futures” to Shape Industry Discussions
The theme of UFI Global Congress 2026 reflects the exhibition industry’s need to adapt to economic uncertainty, technological change and evolving customer expectations.
As organisers and venues respond to shifting market conditions, the ability to make informed decisions, maintain business momentum and develop new revenue opportunities has become increasingly important.
The congress programme will explore how businesses can rebuild confidence, accelerate growth and strengthen their competitive positions in international markets. Discussions will also examine how exhibitions contribute to professional communities, facilitate business relationships and create meaningful experiences for participants.
Chris Skeith OBE, CEO and Managing Director of UFI, said the theme captures the importance of bringing the exhibition community together to share perspectives and develop a clearer understanding of the industry’s future.
He noted that collaboration and solidarity are particularly valuable in an unpredictable global environment. Skeith also expressed confidence in the upcoming edition following his recent visit to Bahrain and the venues scheduled to be used during the congress.
The event is expected to encourage dialogue among industry professionals on how collective knowledge, innovation and stronger partnerships can help businesses respond to change.
Keynote Sessions to Explore the Future of Exhibitions
A central feature of the 93rd UFI Global Congress will be its main-stage programme, bringing together senior exhibition executives and speakers from beyond the sector.
The sessions will address several major issues affecting the global exhibition industry, including economic uncertainty, business growth, the changing role of live events, community building and the growing influence of technology, data and artificial intelligence.
Industry leaders will share their experiences and perspectives on identifying opportunities, adapting business strategies and delivering stronger outcomes for exhibitors, visitors, sponsors and other stakeholders.
The programme will also consider how exhibition organisers can use new technologies and data-driven insights to understand customer needs, improve event performance and develop more valuable experiences.
By bringing together international perspectives, the congress aims to encourage practical discussions on the opportunities and challenges likely to shape the next phase of the exhibition industry’s development.
Lord Stephen A. Carter to Deliver “The Power of Live” Keynote
One of the key highlights of UFI Global Congress 2026 will be “The Power of Live,” a keynote address by Lord Stephen A. Carter, Group Chief Executive of Informa.
Drawing on his leadership experience at one of the world’s major B2B live events businesses, Lord Carter will examine the continuing importance of live experiences in connecting businesses, supporting international trade and creating economic value for markets and cities.
His address will explore how exhibitions and live events contribute to business development, strengthen commercial relationships and create opportunities for companies operating across international markets.
The session will also examine the growing role of data and artificial intelligence in transforming the exhibition industry. As event organisers seek to understand audience behaviour, improve engagement and demonstrate measurable returns, technology is creating new possibilities for delivering value to customers.
The keynote is expected to offer insights into how the live events industry can combine human interaction with digital innovation to remain relevant in an increasingly competitive business environment.
For exhibition professionals, the session will provide an opportunity to consider how live events can continue to differentiate themselves by offering experiences and connections that extend beyond digital communication.
RX CEO Hugh Jones to Discuss Creating Greater Value Through Exhibitions
Another important session will feature Hugh Jones, CEO of RX, who will close the first day of the congress with a discussion on the evolution of exhibitions and the ways organisers can create greater value for participants.
Drawing on RX’s international event portfolio, Jones will examine how exhibition organisers can design and develop shows that help businesses achieve their commercial objectives more effectively.
The discussion will focus on creating environments where participants can build meaningful relationships, discover opportunities and conduct business more efficiently.
As exhibitors increasingly evaluate their participation through measurable business outcomes, organisers are under growing pressure to deliver experiences that support networking, lead generation, knowledge sharing and commercial growth.
Jones’s session will explore how the design and delivery of exhibitions can respond to these expectations while preserving the personal interactions that make live events distinctive.
The discussion is expected to be relevant to organisers looking to improve participant experiences, strengthen customer relationships and build sustainable exhibition businesses.
Technology, Data and AI to Feature in the Congress Programme
Technology and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly important to the future of the exhibition industry. From audience engagement and personalised experiences to operational efficiency and performance measurement, digital tools are changing how events are planned, managed and evaluated.
UFI Global Congress 2026 will explore the opportunities these developments create for organisers, venues and other industry stakeholders.
Data can help exhibition businesses understand visitor preferences, identify emerging market trends and make more informed decisions about event formats and customer engagement. Artificial intelligence can also support selected operational and marketing activities, potentially helping organisers improve efficiency and deliver more relevant experiences.
However, technology must complement rather than replace the human connections at the heart of exhibitions. The congress will provide an opportunity to discuss how businesses can balance digital innovation with the relationship-building, product discovery and face-to-face engagement that define successful live events.
These discussions will be particularly relevant as exhibition companies seek to strengthen their competitive advantage and respond to changing expectations from exhibitors and visitors.
Bahrain Strengthens Its Position in the Global Business Events Industry
Hosting the 93rd UFI Global Congress provides Bahrain with an opportunity to increase its international visibility among exhibition organisers, venue operators, associations and business events professionals.
The Kingdom’s hospitality, connectivity and exhibition infrastructure are central to its appeal as a destination for international business gatherings. Hosting a global industry congress also creates opportunities to introduce delegates to the local business environment and encourage future professional and commercial relationships.
Exhibition World Bahrain and the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority are playing central roles in welcoming the international community and presenting Bahrain as a destination for exhibitions, conferences and other business events.
The congress will also highlight the broader contribution of exhibitions to business networking, knowledge exchange, international trade and economic activity.
For the regional exhibition sector, the gathering offers an opportunity to connect with global industry leaders and demonstrate the potential of the Middle East as a destination for international events.
UFI Global Congress 2026: Event Details
The 93rd UFI Global Congress 2026 is scheduled to take place from 2–5 November 2026 in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The event’s theme, “Stronger Connections, Smarter Futures,” will guide discussions on business resilience, industry growth, live experiences, global economic developments and emerging technologies.
Exhibition World Bahrain and the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority will host the congress, while UFI will bring together the international exhibition community for a programme of keynote addresses, main-stage sessions and professional networking opportunities.
The supplied announcement does not specify public ticket prices, registration fees or a detailed daily schedule. Interested participants should consult UFI’s official website for the latest registration information and programme updates.
Looking Ahead: Building a Stronger Exhibition Industry
As the global exhibition industry adapts to economic shifts, evolving customer needs and rapid technological development, collaboration and forward-looking strategies are becoming increasingly important.
The 93rd UFI Global Congress 2026 will bring these priorities into focus through discussions on business growth, the value of live experiences, innovation and international cooperation.
With senior leaders from UFI, Informa and RX among the featured voices, the congress will provide a platform for sharing ideas and examining how exhibition businesses can create stronger connections and smarter strategies for the future.
For Bahrain, hosting the congress represents an opportunity to welcome the global exhibition community and showcase its business events capabilities. For delegates, the gathering offers a chance to exchange knowledge, develop professional relationships and explore new approaches to the challenges facing the industry.
As the exhibition sector looks towards its next phase of development, UFI Global Congress 2026 is set to place collaboration, innovation and the enduring value of live events at the centre of the conversation.
