Welcome to the latest edition of Snöcap 🏔️ – our weekly event news roundup
Our top story this week is UFI’s 92nd Global Congress, which opens next week in Hong Kong, Nov. 19–22.
Founded in 1925, UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, is marking its centennial year under the theme ‘Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Shaping the Future.’
Chris Skeith, UFI’s CEO and managing director, said, “We’re not just reflecting on history — we’re building it. UFI’s 100-year legacy is a testament to the resilience and innovation of our industry.”
Note: Snöball is the official digital marketing partner for the congress and is providing peer-to-peer marketing solutions to drive registrations and engagement.
Rachel Stephan, founder and CEO of Snöball, will be there at the Congress to discuss peer-to-peer marketing solutions for events. If you plan to attend, do stop by to say hello!
Other top stories of the week include:
- ECA, UFI and MAD join forces to launch the Global Policy Forum in May 2026
- IEG reports 6.3% yearly jump in revenue for the first ninth months of 2025
- Hyve strengthens healthcare portfolio with acquisition of Health Grown Advisory Network
- UFI opens registration for 2026 UFI European Conference in İzmir, Türkiye
- Who is hiring?
Read on for the full stories ⤵️
UFI gears up for historic centennial celebration at the 92nd Global Congress
UFI is set to open the doors for its 92nd Global Congress from Nov. 19-22 at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, marking the organization’s 100th anniversary.
The congress will gather exhibition industry leaders under the theme “Honouring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Shaping the Future.”
The program will feature sessions on trends, challenges and innovations in the exhibition sector, along with networking opportunities.
Dex Hunter-Torricke, a former executive at SpaceX, Facebook and Google, will deliver the keynote address on artificial intelligence and technological change in the exhibition sector.
Hugh Jones, CEO of RX and current UFI president, said: “This year’s UFI Global Congress will be unlike any other in our history. As UFI marks its centenary, we have a unique opportunity not only to honor a century of connecting people and industries worldwide, but also to look ahead and lay the foundations for the next 100 years.”
Chris Skeith said: “The UFI Global Congress is where the industry’s leaders come together to discuss the future, build connections, and gain insights from peers across the globe. This year’s edition will be particularly special as we honour the past, celebrate the present, and shape the future during our 100th anniversary.”
The congress will feature six one-hour Insight Series workshops focusing on UFI Award-winning projects in digital innovation, sustainability, marketing, operations and services, HR and industry partnerships.
A new format called the Bate-Papo Corner will offer informal discussions during networking breaks. All sessions will be recorded and released as podcasts.
Hugh Jones will pass the UFI presidency to Panittha Buri, vice chairperson of Bhiraj Buri Group, during the closing session.
Snöball is supporting the congress through peer-to-peer marketing solutions to increase audience sign-ups and engagement through peer advocacy campaigns.
Visit the UFI Congress website to know more
ECA, UFI and MAD join forces to launch the Global Policy Forum in May 2026
The Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), UFI, and MAD Event Management have launched the Global Policy Forum, set for May 29, 2026, in Washington.
The forum will gather leaders from the events industry, government officials, embassy representatives, trade advocates and Department of Commerce personnel.
The forum will focus on policy challenges, global trade and commerce, workforce development and sustainability in the events industry.
Martha Donato, president of MAD Event Management, said: “This is an important moment for our industry to engage with decision-makers and shape the policies that impact how we connect and conduct business worldwide.”
Chris Skeith, CEO of UFI, said: “The Global Policy Forum comes at a pivotal time for our industry. As we strengthen collaboration between UFI’s global community and ECA’s advocacy efforts, we look forward to adding both reach and perspective to the policies shaping potential legislation and regulation in the U.S.”
Tommy Goodwin, executive vice president of ECA, said: “Many policy issues critical to the future of the industry are global in nature, and they will require global solutions.”
ECA organizes Legislative Action Day and focuses on advancing the business events industry through public policy. UFI represents trade show organizers, exhibition center operators and exhibition associations. MAD Event Management produces conferences and trade shows, and Martha Donato serves as UFI’s regional director of North America.
IEG reports 6.3% yearly jump in revenue for the first ninth months of 2025
Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) has reported revenue of €190.8 million for the first nine months of 2025, a 6.3% increase from the same period in 2024.
The company’s board of directors approved the consolidated interim management statements on Nov. 13.
Financial highlights (Jan. 1-Sept. 30, 2025):
- Revenue: €190.8m (€179.4m in 2024)
- Adjusted EBITDA: €45.1m, up 5.3%
- Adjusted EBIT: €29.6m, 15.5% margin
- Earnings Before Taxes: €24.9m, up 1%
- Profit: €16.1m (€21m in 2024)
- Net Financial Position: €108.3m
- Monetary Net Financial Position: €45.9m
- Revenue guidance: €260-262m (upper range)
- EBITDA guidance: €69-71m
The revenue growth occurred despite the absence of two-year events including Tecna in Italy and Fesqua in Brazil, which were held in 2024.
Corrado Arturo Peraboni, CEO of IEG, said: “Our performance in the first nine months of the year has shown a solid and sustained growth trend, confirming the Group’s ability to create value also in a climate characterised by the absence of certain two-yearly events. Despite the fact that 2025 is an ‘odd’ year, IEG has continued to record positive results thanks to its organic growth, which fully compensates for the ‘two year’ effect.”
Corrado Arturo Peraboni added that events including Vicenzaoro, IBF – the Italian Bike Festival, SIJE – the Singapore International Jewelry Expo, and SIGEP Asia contributed to growth in the third quarter.
Organised events revenue reached €111.3m, representing 58.3% of total revenue. Conference events grew 20% to €17.7m.
Read the full financial statement
Hyve strengthens healthcare portfolio with acquisition of Health Grown Advisory Network
Hyve Group has acquired Health Grown Advisory Network, a commercial accelerator for digital health companies.
HGAN was founded by Dr. Josh Riff, former Chief Medical Officer of Target. The company helps digital health solutions navigate pricing, marketing, health plan navigation and product-market fit through its advisor network.
Key details:
- HGAN clients: Spring Health, Virta, Rightway, Maven
- Many clients already participate in Hyve healthcare events: HLTH, ViVE, Behavioral Health Tech
- Third healthcare acquisition for Hyve
- Sixth overall acquisition since GO27 growth plan launched
- First Hyve acquisition extending beyond event show floor
Josh Riff, founder and CEO of HGAN, said: “This partnership delivers exactly what we’ve been building toward – a platform that transcends traditional conference boundaries to provide year-round value. By joining Hyve, we expand our impact and fortify our network.”
The acquisition allows Hyve to expand its healthcare offerings beyond events. HGAN will operate alongside Entrée, a dinner series for HLTH customers, and HLTH Community, which provides white papers and online events.
Mark Shashoua, CEO of Hyve, said: “HGAN’s model goes beyond creating connections, through guiding relationships from first introduction to meaningful partnership. By integrating this deeper, high-touch approach with the HLTH product suite, we’re building a stronger, more diversified offering that delivers value all year round.”
Mark Shashoua added that while HGAN serves healthcare, the model has potential for replication across other Hyve portfolios.
Registrations open for 2026 UFI European Conference in İzmir, Türkiye
UFI has opened registrations for the 2026 UFI European Conference in İzmir, Türkiye.
İZFAŞ will host the conference, which will bring together exhibition industry professionals from Europe and other regions.
The conference follows the 2025 edition held in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Tuğçe Cumalıoğlu, CEO of İZFAŞ, said: “We are truly honored to host the UFI European Conference 2026 in İzmir — a city with 8,500 years of history as a thriving port and a crossroads of ideas, trade, and friendship. As Türkiye’s first and longest-standing UFI member, we proudly continue this legacy of connection and collaboration.”
Nick Dugdale-Moore, UFI’s Head of Regions & Regional Director Europe, said: “We are so excited to be heading to İzmir next June. Our delegates can expect: networking with the most important players in the European exhibition industry, top speakers & content and an incredible overall experience.”
Nick Dugdale-Moore added that the Event Directors Summit will return for its fourth edition with 50 participants and limited places available.
UFI organizes conferences throughout the year, including Regional Conferences, the UFI Global Congress, the Global CEO Summit and the Event Directors Summit.
Who is hiring?
Cvent – Senior Associate/Planner, Meetings & Events
TD – Senior Event Planner
Yubico – Event Marketing Manager
Eudia – Senior Event Manager
