What is the Global CEO Summit?

The Global CEO Summit, or the GCS as it is also known, is UFI’s most exclusive event.
It serves as the exhibition industry's annual curtain raiser event for the most 
senior executives worldwide.
The GCS is an invitation-only conference for CEOs and equivalents from international exhibition organisers and venue operators.

Participants can look forward to:

✔ High-level networking with global industry leaders
✔ Exclusive CEO insights on challenges and opportunities ahead
✔ Future-focused strategies shaping the exhibitions sector

Why attend the UFI Global CEO Summit?

The event has been phenomenal. It’s been great networking, it’s been really good education, and the content is really superb.

Mary Larkin, President, US Nineteen Group (US)
Meeting people is very important, having a global vision, and to think about the future while working for this beautiful industry.

Raul Strauss Justiniano, CEO FEXPOCRUZ (Bolivia)
I think it is really an excellent opportunity to meet everybody in the exhibition business globally.

Anni Vespalainen, CEO Messukeskus (Finland)
The Global CEO Summit is a fantastic event for us to network, reconnect, and also make new partnership happen.
Margaret MaConnolly, President and CEO Informa Markets Asia (Hong Kong)

The Global CEO Summit always takes place in one of the top locations.

Over the years, the GCS has been hosted in world-class cities, each edition offering a unique setting for global leaders to connect.

The 2026 edition will take place in Vienna, Austria!

In 2026, leaders will gather in Vienna, Austria, a city celebrated for its cultural heritage, historic charm, and central role in European business.

Venue

The Global CEO Summit 2026 edition will take place at the prestigious Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna Hotel.
   

BOOK YOUR ROOM

Highlights of the Global CEO Summit 2025 in Milan

Want to know more about sponsorship opportunities at the UFI Global CEO Summit 2026? 
Contact our Director Sponsorship & Partnership Ana Maria Arango at anamaria@ufi.org
CONTACT FORM

Dinner Host

VIECON – Vienna Convention & Congress Center

UFI Diamond Sponsors

Mart Vissers
AsiaWorld-Expo Management Limited
IT EX Italian Association of International Exhibitions
Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau
Visit Qatar

Sponsors

Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority
Visit Detroit

Lanyard Sponsor

Info Salons | ADITUS GmbH

Photo Platform Partner

Memento

UFI Research Partner

Explori

UFI Software Partner

Eventmaker

UFI Media Partners

CICE
Eventos Latinoamericanos
Exhibition Showcase
Exhibition World
Factor Meetings
Grupo Radar
Meetings Panama
Punto Mice
Skift Meetings
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