Mr Cliff Wallace, managing director of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) has been named the new president of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.

It was announced during UFI’s 74^th Annual Congress in Versailles, France on 25 October. The key appointment marked the first venue manager, and first from Asia, to the Euro-centric position.

Formed in 1925, UFI is the major international association of the world's leading tradeshow organisers and exhibition venue operators. In assuming the presidency, Mr Wallace will proactively identify trends and opportunities for the industry, the clients and customers; and seek out new tools and techniques to solve contemporary challenges.

“I am honoured to be the first venue manager and Asian representative to be elected the President of UFI. It puts Hong Kong and Asia in the prime position of the global exhibition industry. But I speak for the entire exhibition industry,” said Mr Wallace.

Chairman of the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association (HKECIA), Mr Stanley Chu, congratulated Mr Wallace immediately after the announcement of the presidency appointment in Versailles.

Mr Chu said, "On behalf of the HKECIA, I congratulate Cliff and the HKCEC. The appointment of Cliff tells the world that Asia is under the spotlight of the global exhibition industry and Hong Kong is playing a leading role in the region. This will certainly bring more attention to our city. I am sure that through his more frequent and meaningful contacts with global industry players, Cliff will be able to update colleagues in other parts of the world what is happening in Asia and Hong Kong".

“UFI plays an important role in an industry that is facing massive change and sharp challenges from globalisation, corporate and political governance shifts, the explosion in the supply of exhibition space, and not to overlook, the growth of on-line commerce,” Mr Wallace pointed out.

“Cliff is a veteran venue operator for nearly half a century; he will bring with him a wealth of experience from the US and Asia from a venue operator’s perspective to benefit the UFI members worldwide,” said Jochen Witt, UFI’s outgoing president.