PARIS — Monica Lee-Müller has taken up her new role as President of UFI, the global association for the exhibition industry, for the 2021-2022 term following the recent 87th World Congress. She joins UFI’s 2021-2022 Presidential trio, which also includes Immediate Past President Anbu Varathan of the Machine Tool Manufacturers Association of India and Immediate Past President Mary Larkin of Diversified Communications.
“Monica Lee-Müller is a true inspiration in the international exhibition industry and I am very pleased with her new role as UFI President this year,” said Kai Hattendorf, UFI CEO. “Her management style is highly regarded by her staff and colleagues around the world and she is a role model for many.”
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Trade Show Executive caught up with Lee-Müller during a busy week in her role as Managing Director of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (HML) – the company responsible for managing and operating the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) – to get her take on the state of the industry and what’s in store for 2022.
Trade Show Executive: Do you see 2022 as the beginning of a return to normal for trade shows?
Lee-Müller: Yes, with the global vaccination rate increasing and human resilience, I am optimistic that we will gradually return to normal in 2022, although the degree of normality may vary by country and region. In Hong Kong, local consumer fairs have started to gradually resume, albeit on a reduced scale, while travel restrictions are still in place. Once the border reopens and international travel resumes, I am confident that our industry will rebound quickly.
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Trade Show Manager: What are your main priorities for the coming year as the new UFI President?
Lee-Müller: The greatest common enemy the world faces is not the pandemic. Climate change is the most serious threat to humanity on this planet. The exhibition sector has an important role to play in shaping policies and defining best practices and mindsets.
UFI recently joined forces with other organizations, including HML, to form a task force and create the Net Zero Carbon Events Initiative, which we announced at COP26. One of UFI’s most important upcoming tasks is to inspire our industry to sign the Net Zero Carbon Events Commitment and take action. By joining this commitment, we are committing to establishing a pathway and roadmap to achieve the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
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Trade Show Manager: As an Asian woman, how do you hope to inspire others in the industry to finally break through that glass ceiling?
Lee-Müller: Women should not compete with men to prove themselves. They should value themselves and progress by constantly acquiring new knowledge and taking on new challenges. Employers could help by providing an environment that allows female staff to enjoy a work-life balance. For example, at HML, we offer flexible working hours, paternity leave, breastfeeding rooms and much more.
Women directors make up 28% of the UFI Board. I will continue to build on the diversity that characterizes UFI. As a global association, we need and welcome talented and committed women and men from different races, cultures and backgrounds to advance our sector.
Contact Kai Hattendorf at (33) 1 46 39 75 00 or [email protected] ; and Monica Lee-Müller at [email protected]