UFI Opens Regional Office in Bogota, Colombia
January 3, 2018
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, recently opened a regional office in Latin America.
Based in Bogota, Colombia, the new office will serve the growing number of UFI members across Latin America, and will be the base for collaborations with national and region industry associations like AFIDA, AMPROFEC, AOCA and UBRAFE.
The position of the UFI Regional Manager for Latin America will be filled by Ana Maria Arango.
"UFI is the global association for our exhibition industry. I am very pleased that we are now in a position to also have a permanent presence in Latin America,” said Corrado Peraboni, UFI President.
He added, “This is a fascinating region with a lot of potential for growth in exhibitions and events, and as UFI we look forward to connecting the regional players with the global UFI community to facilitate further growth.”
The permanent Office and Representative based in the region will strengthen UFI’s commitments to the region, and further the reach of the association which works through its Latin American Chapter.
"Ana Maria has extensive experience and knowledge of the exhibition industry in the region, having previously worked as Executive Director of AFIDA (Asociación Internacional de Ferias de América) and Corferias, Bogota. She will be based at the new UFI Latin American Regional Office in Corferias, UFI member since 1956 and host of the UFI Global Congress in 1975 and 2014", said Kai Hattendorf, UFI's Managing Director/CEO.
Since it was established in 2014 at the UFI Global Congress in Bogota under the leadership of then UFI President Andrés López Valderrama, UFI's Latin America Chapter has grown from 17 to more than 40 members.
Going forward, UFI will be able to better serve existing members as well as the entire industry throughout the region, in close collaboration with national and regional industry associations.
Andrés López Valderrama stated: “As past president of UFI and member of the Latin American Chapter, I have been very pleased to witness the rapid and solid growth of UFI in Latin America in the past few years. December 2017 is an historic date for UFI as it can proudly announce the opening of a new regional office in Latin America. This action reflects the good timing of the exhibition industry in our region and the relevance of this market for UFI. Corferias is delighted to host this new office in our venue and to welcome back Ana Maria as the new Regional Manager. We are convinced that she will have a great role in strengthening the exhibition industry in Latin America and in supporting all UFI members.”
Ana Maria Arango will closely work together with UFI's new Chapter leadership: Chairman José Navarro Meneses (E.J. Krause Tarsus de Mexico), 1st Vice-Chair Marta Cecibel Lau Marquez (CIFCO, El Salvador), Vice-Chair Fernando Gorbarán (Messe Frankfurt Argentina) & Vice-Chair Juan Pablo de Vera (Reed Exhibitions Americas.)
Another important development to complement UFI’s activities in the region is the establishment of the UFI Latin American Conference, in line with UFI’s other regional Chapters.
The first edition will take place in Mexico City on 19 September 2018 and all industry professionals are welcome to attend.
“Latin America is undergoing a substantial growth in the trade show industry, most of the large international organizers have entered this dynamic marketplace, so I think it is important to consolidate UFI’s presence in the region by devoting professional human resources dedicated to help us expand our business activity. I am very happy to welcome Ana Maria, a true professional with a wide knowledge of the exhibition business across the Latin American countries, and I am sure this addition to the already dedicated UFI team will be very beneficial to the regional trade show business,” commented José Navarro Meneses, UFI Latin America Chapter Chair.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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