UFI’s 2020 Next Generation Leadership Grant Receipts Unveiled
April 21, 2020
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has named the winners of this year’s UFI Next Generation Leadership Grant (NGL).
The jury, chaired by UFI President Mary Larkin, met earlier this month to evaluate all qualifying entries submitted from around the world.
The UFI NGL Grant promotes emerging leadership in the global exhibition industry and is awarded to professionals demonstrating a clear drive towards change and innovation.
Here are this year’s winners:
- Alexis Zamudio, Events Manager, FINNOVISTA (Mexico);
- Christina Rabl, Conference Manager Command Control at Messe München (Germany);
- Erika Karlsson, Project Manager at ELMIA (Sweden);
- Matthew Funge, Managing Director & Founder of Your Stand Builder (UK); and
- Vijay Sharma, Head: Partnerships & Business Development, Koelnmesse (Singapore).
UFI President Mary Larkin described this year’s grant program – sponsored by Comexposium – as a clear and positive news story in an otherwise complicated period for the exhibition industry.
“These are turbulent times for our industry, and strong leadership such as we have seen from the recipients of this year’s grant will count towards the recovery as we emerge on the other side, with all the fresh challenges that we will face,” she said.
Renaud Hamaide, President of Comexposium, said: “We are delighted to support any program that encourages development in this wonderful industry, as is clearly the case with the UFI NGL Grant. The foremost program of its kind, the grant takes an innovative approach to the development of talent that will ultimately help forge the path of our industry for the future.”
Spread over a period of 18 months, the program enables up to five grant recipients to share their story on the way in which their leadership, commitment and experience is helping them to achieve success, whilst fulfilling their daily work obligations.
To qualify, applicants must have a maximum of 10 years of work experience within the exhibition industry, and continue to be employed on a full-time basis (within the industry). They must also be willing and able to work on the program.
Commenting on their role on the 2020 NGL Grant jury, 2019 grant winner Fuad Musafir, Business Development Manager Exhibition and Live Events at OCEC (Oman) said: "Being a former winner of the UFI NGL Grant made my involvement in this year's jury a very rewarding experience. While I had insight into the bids from 2019's eventual winners, I did not realize until now the breadth and quality of the applications that UFI receives each year. It's fair to say there is a lot of untapped talent and creativity in this industry."
About the jury
The jury is chaired by Mary Larkin – UFI President and President at Diversified Communications USA (USA) and includes Fuad Musafir – 2019 NGL Grant winner and Business Development Manager Exhibition & Live Events at OECE (Oman); Caitlin Read – Group Communications Director at Comexposium (France), Kai Hattendorf – UFI MD and CEO (France); Angela Herberholz – Program Manager Education Working Groups at UFI (France).
For more information please visit the UFI website here: www.ufi.org/awards/ufi-next-generation-leadership-grant/.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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