UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has revealed the five winners of its 2026 Next Generation Leadership (NGL) programme.
Selected by an international jury chaired by UFI president Panittha Buri, the cohort will focus on a critical mission: ensuring exhibitions remain relevant for Gen Z and younger millennials.
Now in its 10th year, the NGL programme serves as a talent accelerator for professionals with fewer than ten years of experience. This year’s winners represent a diverse global spread:
- Divya Jashnani: Head of data & analytics, dmg events (UAE)
- Ewa Łukomska-Ślęk: Brand communication manager, Targi Kielce (Poland)
- Mariella Greifenberg: Senior customer experience manager, Messe Düsseldorf North America (US)
- Tracy Abou Jaoude: Project manager, IFP Group (Lebanon)
- Vivian Yap: Assistant business development manager, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (Malaysia)
The programme, sponsored by major industry players including Informa Markets and RX, kicks off with a workshop at the UFI European Conference in Izmir, Turkiye, this June.
Over the next seven months, the group will collaborate on forward-thinking strategies to engage younger generations before presenting their findings at the 93rd UFI Global Congress in November.
“… This year’s winners impressed with fresh thinking, fearless ideas & a real appetite to make a difference. Expect them to shake things up – in the best way possible – at the UFI Global Congress this November,” commented Panittha.
