UFI is inviting industry professionals to apply for the 2026 edition of its “Next Generation Leadership Programme”.
The programme is now in its 10th year, and is supported by some of the biggest names in the industry – the likes of Informa, Clarion, dmg events, RX and Messe Düsseldorf.
What’s the “mission” for this year?
Each year, the programme chooses a specific topic as a “mission” for exhibition professionals to tackle. In 2026, the topic is how the industry can be relevant for Gen Z and young Millennials – who have different desires and expectations around concepts like sustainability, trust and digital influence.
How many professionals will be chosen?
UFI will choose up to five high-potential industry professionals as the 2026 Next Generation Leaders (NGLs).
They are chosen by an international jury chaired by UFI President Panittha Puri.
Applications are open to anyone who works full-time in the exhibition industry (and has done so for less than 10 years).
When do applications close?
Applications will chose on 25 March 2026. Next Generation Leaders will be announced in late April.
After their selection, the NGLs will collaborate on the “mission”, working with the UFI and NGL alumni teams.
The project will be launched at the UFI European Conference in Izmir, Turkey, on 3-5 June 2026. At the end of the period, the leaders will meet at the 93rd UFI Global Congress on 2-5 November 2026 in Bahrain to present their findings to top industry figures.
For more information about the programme and how to apply, visit UFI’s Next Generation Leaders page.
