UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has selected Chris Skeith as the organisation’s next CEO, taking over from Kai Hattendorf on January 1, 2025.
Skeith will join UFI from the AEO (Association of Event Organisers), the an association for organisers of events in the UK and internationally, where he has served as the organisation’s CEO since 2014.
Skeith started his career in media auditing at the Audit Bureau of Circulations, where he later led on the development of their auditing products for the events sector.
In 2006, he moved to the Events Industry Alliance (EIA), overseeing the merger of AEC & BECA to form ESSA (Event Supplier & Services Association). In 2010, he became director of ESSA’s sister association, AEV (Association of Event Venues), driving venue engagement through numerous special interest groups before moving on to AEO in 2014.
He continues to be a director of EIA, which represents the sector to government and regulators.
