My Business Events was delighted to have a conversation with Kai Hattendorf, Managing Director & CEO of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry during the UFI EXPERT DAY 2022 held in Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on 14th December 2022.
The UFI EXPERT DAY 2022 is a collaborative effort between MyCEB and The Global Association of Exhibition Industry (UFI).
About Kai Hattendorf
Kai Hattendorf serves as the Managing Director/CEO of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, where he oversees UFI’s activities and events worldwide, as well as the operation of its Paris headquarters and other offices and presences in Bogota, Brussels, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. He previously served as Honorary President of the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), a global council of international and global associations serving the Business Events Industry, and he continues to serve on the Board.
Prior to his current role, Kai held senior management positions at Messe Frankfurt’s global headquarters, where he focused on transformational issues such as digitization, marketing, and communications.
Kai has received numerous awards and recognitions for his work in the events industry, including the recent distinction of “Business Events Strategist of the Year” from PCMA.
Before transitioning to the events industry, Kai held leadership positions in marketing/strategic communications, as well as strategy and product development in the ITC and media industries. He began his career in journalism and reported for international broadcasters including WDR and Radio Bremen in Germany, Euronews in France, BBC in the UK, and Voice of America. Kai holds a Master’s degree from the American University in Washington, DC, and has studied in Dortmund and Edinburgh.