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Wolfgang Marzin elected to UFI Board of Directors

26 Oct 2026

Wolfgang Marzin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Messe Frankfurt, has once again been appointed to the Board of Directors of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. His three-year term of office will begin after the General Assembly on 2 November 2026 at the 93rd UFI Global Congress in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This confirms that Messe Frankfurt will be represented on the Board. With Wolfgang Marzin and Fernando Gorbarán, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt Argentina and Chair of UFI’s Central & South America Chapter, the Messe Frankfurt Group will have two members on the Board of Directors for the first time ever.

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Having two representatives underlines the international reputation of the Messe Frankfurt Group and its responsibility for helping to advance the trade fair and exhibition industry – especially in the countries, regions and cities in which its 29 subsidiaries are located.

On being reappointed, Wolfgang Marzin said: “UFI makes a key contribution to the international trade fair and exhibition industry. It brings together event organisers, venue operators and other players from all over the world, encourages a lively exchange of views and ideas, and represents the common interests of our industry. As a Board member, I look forward to helping to shape the association’s work and making the global trade fair community stronger than ever.”

As UFI President Panittha Buri explains: “Our Board of Directors reflects what makes UFI so unique: a global community that works together to advance the trade fair and exhibition industry. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all newly elected members. At the same time, I would like to express my sincere thanks to our departing Board members for their hard work and their commitment to UFI.
After all, an association is only as strong as the dedication and active input of its members. Its value is seen not only in its leadership but also in the way the entire community plays its part, sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas and working together towards specified goals.
UFI’s strength lies in the people who invest time, energy and passion in shaping their future. While the Board of Directors provides orientation and assumes responsibility, it is the joint commitment of the Board and all of our members that is the lifeblood of our association.
I look ahead to the future with great confidence: if we continue to work together, to help one another and to actively contribute to our shared vision, we can further strengthen UFI and achieve even more for the global trade fair community. After all, we are shaping the future of UFI together.”

Messe Frankfurt was a founding member of UFI back in 1925. The association represents, networks and promotes the trade fair and exhibition industry around the world. Its members include trade fair organisers, exhibition venue operators, national and international trade fair associations and selected industry partners. Today, UFI brings together around 900 member organisations in 90 countries and regions. It directly represents more than 50,000 people working in the international trade fair and exhibition industry. UFI has a global committee with representatives from its chapters all over the world.

The Board of Directors implements the resolutions passed by the General Assembly, develops the association’s policy and drafts proposals on topics relating to international trade fairs and exhibitions.

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