#GED18 first shout-outs Poland officially started activities long before #GED18 ! During Winter Convention of Polish Chamber of Exhibition Industry announced the motto for GED18 – #GEDmoving. Initiated 2 years ago by UFI, the GED initiative will take place around 6 June this year. Global Exhibitions Day is a chance to celebrate the exhibition industry and highlight its positive impact on business, jobs, innovation and local development. UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and all #GED18 partner associations are inviting people around the world to get involved. GED partner associations are: AAXO (South Africa), AEFI (Italy), AEO (UK), AFE (Spain), AFECA (Asia), AFIDA (Central South America), AMPROFEC (Mexico), AOCA (Argentina), AUMA (Germany), CAEM (Canada), CEFA (Central Europe), CENTREX (Central Europe), CFI (Italy), EEAA (Australasia), EEIA (EU), EFU (Ukraine), EMECA (Europe), EXSA (South Africa), FAIRLINK (Sweden), FAMAB (Germany), HKECIA (Hong-Kong), IAEE (USA), IDFA (Germany), IECA (Indonesia), IEIA (India), IELA (Global), IFES (Global), LECA (Lebanon), MACEOS (Malaysia), MFTA (Macao), PCEI (Poland), RUEF (Russia), SACEOS/SECB (Singapore), Shanghai Convention and Exhibition Industries Association (China), SISO (USA), TEA (Thailand), TECA (Taiwan), TFOA (Turkey), UBRAFE (Brazil) and UNIMEV (France). #GED18 preparation underway Following the kick-off meeting held last September, UFI and several GED partners are currently preparing the material for the #GED18 campaign. Several updates are on the way for #GED18, including the development of the “Advocacy” and “Talent” components, and also the setting-up of a new online reporting tool. Two task force meetings with GED partners were held and the preparation for GED18 are well under way. The GED partners have formed two working groups that will develop material and assist driving this year’s global exhibition industry campaign GED18 in two directions: 1) Advocacy/Lobbying, 2) Talent. Additional GED18 support will be provided by the UFI Marketing Committee for “ADVOCACY” and the UFI Human Resources Committee for “TALENT”. Mr. Corrado Peraboni, UFI President, wrote: „For the 2017 Global Exhibitions Day campaign we decided to tackle the “conservative” perception that many young professionals have of the exhibition industry, in order to show them the diverse, fast moving and exciting industry that we all know it to be. Here at UFI, we are keen to further develop the talent component for Global Exhibitions Day 2018 (#GED18) which will take place on 6 June 2018, and preparations are already underway. This year’s GED will focus on two main industry issues: 1) Advocacy and 2) Talent. Two working groups are currently creating material and your contributions are welcome! In conclusion, I would like to invite all industry professionals to join us in helping make GED18 the best Global Exhibitions Day ever by helping prepare for, and participating in, the many different events that will be organised all around the world. Keep an eye on www.globalexhibitionsday.org for updates!” Global Exhibitions Day Awards Based on the positive feedback from the awards around GED last year, we are pleased to announce different award schemes where your efforts will be recognized. We have been informed of three award programmes being organised around #GED18. GED Awards 2018 embraces new talent Exhibition World and UFI are delighted to announce another Global Exhibitions Day Awards (#GED18awards). The response to the last awards programme was as overwhelming as the entries themselves. This year we have added a new category to promote the influx of talent the industry is now welcoming. These are the categories for 2018: 1. Most Creative Activity: endorsing the most quirky, fun and imaginative entry 2. Highest Profile Online Activity: recognising the most ambitious online marketing initiative 3. Biggest Scale Physical Activity: awarding the most impressive offline activity 4. Industry Impact Award: recognising the initiative that has the most positive impact supporting exhibitions as an industry 5. Talent Promotion Award: for the entry that best promotes attracting talent to the exhibition industry UFI: „We are happy to introduce our newest UFI #GED18 team member Zhonghua Hu Zhonghua will be supporting Angela Herberholz and Christian Druart with all GED related activities. “Hey y’all! It’s a pleasure to join UFI and to serve the Global Exhibition Day (GED) campaign this year. I am looking forward to working with all for our GED celebration on 6 June 2018! I joined the UFI for a six-month internship and will be working closely with Angela and Christian to deliver a magnificent #GED18. Before being part of the UFI, I have been studying for my master degree, the Management of M.I.C.E., in ESTHUA of University of Angers, and I served the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry Gard (CCI Gard) for its exhibitions.” Based on UFI Info, www.ufi.org – Polish Chamber of Exhibition Industry