The National Convention Bureau (NCB), which falls under the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), has joined the global exhibitions body, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (the UFI).
The development was confirmed by ZTA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Givemore Chidzidzi.
“We’re excited about this new international membership with UFI, which is the leading global association of the world’s tradeshow organisers, convention bureaus, exhibition centre operators, as well as major national and international exhibition associations, and selected partners of the exhibition industry,” he said.
Chidzidzi explained that UFI membership would enable exhibitions stakeholders to enjoy opportunities for interaction with other global players.
“We’re pleased that our national exhibitions will soon feature on the UFI brand, attracting the much-needed attendance from our source markets and beyond.
“UFI, thus, brings together destinations through various dialogues and interactive regional chapter sessions. The platforms for engagements and collaborations are plentiful for members of UFI as re-engagements are key to reviving the tourism sector following the effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic,” he said.
ZTA joins the UFI months after launching its Meet in Zimbabwe campaign in October last year, which is aimed at promoting local tourism and selling Zimbabwe as a meetings destination.
The tourism promotion parastatal also runs the annual Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo which stands to benefit from the endorsement effect of the ZTA’s membership of the global association.
It becomes the second Zimbabwean meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE)-related body to join the UFI after the ZITF Company which has been a member for years.
The UFI is the global association of the world’s leading exhibition organisers and venue owners, as well as the major national and international exhibition associations, and selected partners of the exhibition industry. It was founded in Milan, Italy, in April 1925 by 20 leading European international trade fairs and is headquartered in France.
The association has 793 members, including 441 exhibition organisers only, 111 venue managers, 101 venue managers who also organise exhibitions, and 63 associations.
