UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has announced the five recipients of its 2025 Next Generation Leadership (NGL) grant, following a rigorous selection process overseen by an esteemed panel of international judges chaired by UFI president Hugh Jones.
They are Anida D’Costa, senior conference producer, Informa Markets (UAE); Diana Maria Salman, senior sales manager, Fexpocruz (Bolivia); Ilaria Basile, event operations manager, Clarion Events (UK); Sarah Jung, sales manager, Messe München (Germany); and Taher Hakami – Riyadh business events manager, Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority (Saudi Arabia).
The 2025 NGL mission centres on redefining exhibition formats in response to the evolving needs of audiences, exhibitors, and organisers. Throughout the programme, the NGL grantees will discover and develop bold, forward-thinking approaches that challenge traditional event structures.
Awardees will begin their journey with an in-person workshop in June during the UFI European Events Week in Thessaloniki, Greece. Over the following seven months, they will collaborate online to further develop their project. The programme will conclude with a group presentation at the 92nd UFI Global Congress in Hong Kong SAR.
Now in its ninth edition, the NGL grant aims to recognise and support emerging talent within the exhibition industry. Eligible candidates must have fewer than 10 years of industry experience and demonstrate a strong commitment to driving innovation and positive change in their respective fields.
