UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has announced the five recipients of its 2025 Next Generation Leadership (NGL) Grant.
The winners were selected from a competitive pool of global applicants by an international jury chaired by UFI president Hugh Jones. This marks the ninth edition of the programme.
UFI Next Generation Leadership winners
About the grant
The NGL Grant recognises rising professionals with fewer than ten years of experience in the exhibition industry. Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to innovation and positive change.
The programme is sponsored by Clarion Events, dmg events, Informa Markets, and RX. It offers mentorship and guidance from global industry leaders.
2025 NGL Grant winners
- Anida D’Costa – Senior Conference Producer, Informa Markets (UAE)
- Diana Maria Salman – Senior Sales Manager, FEXPOCRUZ (Bolivia)
- Ilaria Basile – Event Operations Manager, Clarion Events (UK)
- Sarah Jung – Sales Manager, Messe München (Germany)
- Taher Hakami – Riyadh Business Events Manager, SCEGA (Saudi Arabia)
Focus for 2025: Rethinking event formats
This year’s grantees will explore how to redesign exhibitions to meet evolving expectations from audiences, organisers, and exhibitors. The goal is to challenge conventional models and propose new formats.
Programme timeline
The cohort will begin with an in-person workshop in June during UFI European Events Week in Thessaloniki, Greece. They will collaborate online over seven months and present their final project at the 92nd UFI Global Congress in Hong Kong SAR in November.]
The jury
Chaired by Hugh Jones (CEO of RX and UFI president), the jury included:
- Celia Hidalgo Calvo, IFEMA Madrid
- Hala Dean, Clarion Events
- Sean Ongers, Informa Markets
- Beatrice Vedovato, Italian Exhibition Group
- Fanny Chavaux, GL Events
- Premila Braganza, dmg events
- Chris Skeith OBE, UFI
“The UFI Next Generation Leadership grant continues to shine a spotlight on bold ideas and the emerging talent shaping the future of our industry,” said UFI president Hugh Jones. “I extend my warmest congratulations to this year’s recipients.”
Source: www.exhibitionworld.co.uk
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