AI Adoption in Exhibitions Hits 91% Even as Growth Forecasts Cool: UFI Global Exhibition Barometer

Welcome to the latest edition of Snöcap.

Artificial intelligence is now firmly established across the exhibition industry, with 91% of companies using AI in some part of their business, according to the latest UFI Global Exhibition Barometer. At the same time, growth expectations for 2026 have softened as exhibition organizers navigate economic uncertainty and geopolitical challenges.

Meanwhile, Informa has appointed Tom Glocer as Chair-Elect of its board. The former Reuters and Thomson Reuters chief executive will join the board in October before succeeding John Rishton as Non-Executive Chair in 2027, marking the next step in the company’s long-term leadership succession.

Here are the full headlines from this week’s roundup:

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AI Adoption in Exhibitions Hits 91% Even as Growth Forecasts Cool: UFI Global Exhibition Barometer

Nine in ten exhibition companies worldwide now use artificial intelligence in some part of their business, according to the 37th UFI Global Exhibition Barometer, released this week. The bi-annual survey polled 466 companies across 59 countries and regions and is the industry’s longest-running barometer, tracking sentiment since the 2008 financial crisis.

AI Adoption

• 91% of companies now use AI in some form, up 4 points from six months ago
• 70% use standard tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, or Midjourney regularly
• 17% have AI tools built into their existing platforms
• 4% have developed their own proprietary algorithms
• 9% report little to no AI use
• Colombia, Germany, the US, and the UK lead on deeper integration
• France (88%) and Germany (84%) lead on using AI for internal efficiency
• Revenue generation is the least mature use case, with 55% still researching or testing

2026 Outlook Cools

• Rented space growth expectations fell from 44% to 26% year over year
• Companies expecting a decline in rented space rose from 8% to 21%
• 27% expect revenue growth above 5% in 2026, with 38% expecting stable revenue
• 2025 operating profit growth above 10% was reported by 37% of companies
• Only 19% expect the same profit growth for 2026, with 54% now expecting stable profits

Top Business Concerns

• State of the home market economy remains the top concern globally, at 19%
• Geopolitical challenges rose to second place at 18%, up 2 points
• Geopolitical challenges are now the top concern in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe

Middle East Impact

• 55% of GCC companies report a strong negative impact on their business
• Of those affected in the GCC: 82% face postponements, 48% face reduced participation, 39% face cancellations
• Outside the GCC, 90% report no impact or only a moderate one
• Moderate impact is still the leading response in Germany (60%), France and Türkiye (50% each), and India (56%)

The next UFI Global Barometer survey is scheduled for December 2026.

Tom Glocer Appointed Chair-Elect of Informa Plc

Informa Plc has named Tom Glocer as Chair-Elect of the company’s board, the international B2B events, digital services and academic markets group said Tuesday.

Glocer will join the board as a Non-Executive Director on Oct. 1, 2026, and become Non-Executive Chair in 2027, following a succession process that began at the start of 2026.

• CEO of Reuters Group Plc and later Thomson Reuters Corp for more than 10 years
• More than 15 years of experience as a Non-Executive Director
• Lead Independent Director at Morgan Stanley and Merck & Co Inc
• Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at Publicis Groupe SA

Louise Smalley, Senior Independent Director at Informa Plc, said: “On behalf of the Board of Informa, we are delighted to welcome Tom Glocer as Chair-Elect. It is testament to the growth opportunities ahead and the platform the Informa Leadership Team have created that we have been able to attract a proven boardroom leader with deep, relevant international experience.”

Glocer said: “I am delighted to be joining the Board of Informa as Chair-Elect, one of the most dynamic, international growth companies in the FTSE 100. Informa is a market leader in B2B, with tremendous potential for continuing growth and expansion, and I very much look forward to working with the Board, Chief Executive Stephen Carter and his leadership team to make the most of these opportunities.”

Stephen A. Carter, Group Chief Executive of Informa Plc, said: “It has been a privilege and pleasure working with John Rishton over the last nine years, during which time Informa has grown and expanded both internationally and by industry category.”

Hyve Enters Legal Events Market With LegalTechTalk Acquisition

Hyve Group has acquired LegalTechTalk, an event covering legal technology and transformation in Europe, with plans to expand into the U.S., the company announced.

LegalTechTalk brings together senior decision-makers from across the legal sector, including leaders from Google, Airbnb, Revolut, Adidas, DLA Piper and Freshfields, along with technology companies in the industry.

Bradley Collins and Mikkel Jensen founded the event in 2024. Its 2026 edition, held in June, drew:

• More than 5,500 attendees
• Representation from over 70 countries
• 62% of attendees at C-suite or senior decision-maker level
• More than 450 speakers

Mark Shashoua, CEO of Hyve, commented on the acquisition.

“We’re excited to enter this new SuperVertical through acquiring the market-leading event. What Bradley and Mikkel have built in such a short time is exceptional – LegalTechTalk has become the trusted partner to the sector’s leading companies and this has been achieved through a relentless focus on customer outcomes and community building,” Shashoua said.

Collins and Jensen will continue to lead the business, working with Hyve’s Acquisitions and Best Practice team, led by division president Lisa Milburn.

The acquisition will also support LegalTechTalk’s expansion into the U.S. Hyve’s Global Ventures launch team, led by Katy Fryatt, will support the brand’s first American event, planned for Miami Beach in December 2027.

Collins commented on the U.S. expansion.

“When we launched LegalTechTalk, we always believed the opportunity extended far beyond Europe. Our USA launch is an exciting next step, and Hyve’s proven track record of successfully taking premium event brands into new international markets made them the right partner for us. We’re excited to build on the momentum we’ve created and accelerate LegalTechTalk’s global growth together,” Collins said.

Hyve plans to invest in LegalTechTalk’s growth, including a hosted meetings program and new formats such as TableTalks.

Jensen commented on the partnership.

“We’ve built LegalTechTalk by staying relentlessly focused on delivering value for our customers. Joining Hyve gives us access to proven best practice across event operations and customer experience, alongside opportunities to strengthen our meetings programme and develop new products and services. That allows us to keep improving the experience we deliver while building on the strong foundations already in place,” Jensen said.

Comexposium Strengthens Regional Leadership as International Portfolio Grows

Comexposium has appointed new regional leaders across Vietnam, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, India and Northern Europe as it expands the international reach of its event brands.

Jawad El Hajri has been named Managing Director, KSA & Middle East, a newly created role covering Saudi Arabia and the wider region. Khiem Vu has been appointed Managing Director Vietnam, overseeing the group’s operations and local development in the country.

Henri Tan takes on an expanded role as Managing Director, SIAL Network – ASEAN + India, covering the group’s food and beverage event network across Southeast Asia and India. Nicolai Mouritzen has been named Managing Director of Insight Events Denmark, the group’s Danish subsidiary. Sajid Desai was appointed President & Country Head, Comexposium India, in February 2026.

• Jawad brings more than 25 years of experience across international sport and institutional development
• Henri has more than 27 years of experience in the exhibition industry
• Nicolai has more than 15 years of experience in commercial development and events
• Sajid’s appointment took effect in February 2026

Jawad and Nicolai will report to Driss Tazi, Managing Director, EMEA, US & Group Transformation. Khiem and Sajid will report to Elaine Chia, CEO of Comexposium APAC. Henri will report jointly to Elaine and Rodolphe Lameyse, Managing Director of the Food & Beverage Division.

The moves support Comexposium’s brand portfolio, including SIAL, Vinexposium, Milipol, SILMO and Salon du Chocolat.

IELA Unveils New Board of Management for 2026-2028

The International Exhibition Logistics Associates has announced a new Board of Management for the 2026-2028 term, following elections at the association’s 41st Congress and General Assembly in Sun City.

Bas Wiendels of Valverde BV will serve as chairperson. Dirk Urra of Kuehne+Nagel was named vice chairperson, and Priscilla Leong of Expotrans SpA will serve as treasurer and board member.

The board also includes:

• Chiara Rossolimo Bergamini, O.T.I.M. Organizzazione Trasporti Internazionali e Marittimi S.p.A.
• Christoph Rauch, BTG Messe-Spedition GmbH
• Lena Ericson, On-Site Exhibitions AB
• Lucien Lawson, Clamageran Expositions
• Marta Kupis, Resa Expo Logistics
• Mike Weeks, King Cargo Projects
• Ziad Harb, BCC Logistics

The new board takes over following the Sun City congress and will oversee the association’s work for the next two years.

The Freeman Company Names Chris Schimek as President of Freeman Events & Exhibits

The Freeman Company has named Chris Schimek president of Freeman Events & Exhibits, promoting him from chief operating officer of the division. Schimek has spent nearly 30 years with the company.

In that role, Schimek led teams responsible for planning, producing and executing thousands of live events annually.

Janet Dell, CEO of The Freeman Company, announced the appointment.

“Chris has spent his career proving that operations are the client experience,” Dell said. “When thousands of events come together flawlessly, it’s because someone made sure nothing was left to chance. He’s done that for nearly three decades, and he’s done it while building the kind of trust with employees, clients, and partners that you can’t shortcut. There’s no one I’d rather have running Freeman Events & Exhibits into its next chapter.”

Outside Freeman, Schimek is immediate past president of the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association and is involved with the U.S. Travel Association. He was recently appointed an employer trustee for T.E.A.C.H. (Teamsters Education And Career Help), the Teamsters National Training Trust.

Schimek commented on the appointment.

“I’m honored by the opportunity to lead this remarkable team,” Schimek said. “Freeman is my home, and I’m grateful to the colleagues, clients, and partners who have been part of that journey. Together, we’ll continue building on our strong foundation, investing in our people, and delivering the exceptional experiences our customers expect.”

In his new role, Schimek will lead Freeman Events & Exhibits, with a focus on safety and client experience.

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