UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has visited Bahrain as preparations continue for the 93rd UFI Global Congress, which will take place from November 2 to 5, 2026, at Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB). The Congress is scheduled to bring together UFI members and professionals from the international exhibitions industry.
The UFI delegation included Chris Skeith OBE, UFI CEO; Said Salim Al Shanfari, UFI President-elect for 2027–2028; and Naji El Haddad, UFI Regional Director, Middle East & Africa. During the visit, the delegation held meetings with representatives from Bahrain’s tourism and exhibitions sector as part of preparations for the upcoming Congress.
The delegation met with H.E. Fatima Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism of Bahrain, to discuss the development of business events in the Kingdom and opportunities for international partnerships, collaboration and knowledge exchange within the exhibitions industry.
The team also met with Sara Ahmed Buhiji, CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), which is supporting Bahrain’s hosting of the Congress.
As part of the visit, the delegation met with the Exhibition World Bahrain team and toured the venue. EWB, inaugurated in November 2022, features 10 exhibition halls covering 95,000 square metres, along with meeting rooms and a convention centre. Its Grand Hall can accommodate up to 4,000 guests.
The 93rd UFI Global Congress will address developments and challenges facing the exhibitions industry, with sessions covering areas including resilience, technology, artificial intelligence, data, sustainability and evolving business models.
The Congress will run from November 2 to 5, with the programme including industry sessions, networking activities and a post-Congress cultural tour of Bahrain.
