HKECIA welcomes appointment of two successive UFI presidents from Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association (HKECIA,) has welcomed the UFI’s appointment of two successive presidents from Hong Kong. UFI is the global association of the world’s leading tradeshow organisers and fairground owners, as well as the major national and international exhibition associations, and selected partners of the exhibition industry.

Michael Duck has been appointed as Incoming President (2022-2023) of UFI. Duck, Executive Vice President – Commercial Development, Informa Markets, and Executive Vice President – Commercial Development, Group at Informa Group, has held a position on the Association’s Executive Committee since 1994 and he served as the HKECIA Chairman from 1998 to 2000.

Duck is one of the key office bearers of the HKECIA representing the interests of the Association members in exhibition and convention related industries by providing a unified voice in dealing with the government, legislative and statutory bodies, media and public organisations.

Monica Lee-Müller, Managing Director of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (HML), also a long-serving HKECIA Executive Committee member, has been elected UFI President (2021-2022) and will take up her position on the board in November this year. 

In UFI’s 95-year history this is the second time since 1931 when successive presidents have been elected from the same city, an indication of the important position Hong Kong continues to play in the global exhibition industry.

Stuart Bailey, Chairman of the HKECIA notes “having worked closely with Monica and Michael for many years it comes as no surprise at all that they would both be sought out by the global industry association to lead the post-pandemic recovery.  I am confident that through their experience, network and knowledge, they will inspire industry colleagues locally and globally to maintain a strong network to share ideas and help us bounce back quickly after the pandemic.” said Mr Stuart Bailey, Chairman of the HKECIA. 

“For the coming two years the focus of the exhibition industry will turn to Hong Kong and I cannot think of two better ambassadors to carry the flag for the city. Like tourism and many other industries, the exhibition industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The HKECIA and UFI, with our peers across the globe, are working hard to ensure that face-to-face exhibitions will come back stronger than ever combined with new ideas that will enhance deal-making and measurable business outcomes for all participants.”

Image top: Michael Duck, Incoming President (2022-23) of UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry; image above: Monica Lee-Müller, President (2021-22) of UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry