The new UFI president is something of a celebrity in his home country of Russia. His career has seen him awarded the Order of Honour, the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit (Poland), the Honorary Diploma of the Legislative Assembly of Saint-Petersburg; Honorary
Commendation of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation; the Honorary Commendation of the Governor of Saint-Petersburg and the Mark of Distinction ‘For Merit to Saint-Petersburg’.
In 1991 Sergey Alexeev, who was at that point director general of Lenexpo (1986-2012), was elected president of the Russian Union of Exhibitions and Fairs. And since 2009 he has been chair of the European regional chapter of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.
In November he becomes the association’s new president, a role that many will be pleased to say he is more than likely to embrace completely. EW finds out his thoughts on the industry, and asks what he expects from this appointment.
You’re a familiar face for most at UFI, but for new members, could you please share a bit about your background and how you got into the industry?
In the middle of the 80s, the perestroika process in the Soviet Union inspired people to choose new ways in their life. I was involved in exhibition activities in Leningrad.
When Moscow Expocentre company looked for a director of its Leningrad branch, I applied for the job and offered my new programme for its exhibition business . The Leningrad city administration decided to establish the new company, Lenexpo, and I was appointed the CEO in 1986.
In the year 2010 JSC ExpoForum appeared and started the new venue project near the airport. I offered to unite our companies. Since then I’ve been working as the executive vice-president of ExpoForum International, the company responsible for venue management and operations.
The unforgettable secretary general Gerda Marquardt and president Bryan Montgomery made a lot of effort to help Russian companies become members of the world exhibition family. I cannot forget the help from Vincent Gerard and Paul Woodward, the engine for our industry.
Russia’s exhibition industry has faced tough economic times of late. How has the industry responded and do you support predictions of a recovery in 2016?
The results of our statistics for the first sixth months of 2015 show a 15 per cent decrease in the number of exhibitors and a 23 per cent decrease in international participation in the main from Europe and North America, ninepercentdecreaseof participants from Germany.
The share of the participants from China in the common foreign volume is 25.5 per cent, the next countries by participation are Turkey, Italy and Belarus. Space sold decreased by 15 per cent. We haven’t had such bad results since the 2008-2009 global financial crisis.
Dependence on oil and gas prices and trade sanctions are the main reasons for the economic crisis in the Russian Federation. The Government is working hard to repair the national economy. New trade partners and markets are being found, trade relations with the BRICS countries are strengthening, and a new programme of import substitution is being implemented.
So we’ve registered some revival of exhibitions in sectors such as agriculture, food processing, fashion, textile, automobiles, machinery, tools and instruments. I expect a total recovery in the Russian exhibition industry at the end of 2016 or in 2017.
What do you see as the most exciting opportunities for exhibition organisers in the international market today?
Globally, great possibilities are in the ASEAN countries, Latin and North America, and South Africa. But old traditional markets in Europe will play the leading role in our industry. We have to cooperate with our leading companies like Reed,with its super computer technology, Messe Frankfurt with its global branding, Messe Munchen with its tremendous organising technology, as well as others. Cooperation and partnership with the leading IT giants: Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Alibaba, social media is very promising.
Sustainable development is also a great issue. In my opinion, the new project ‘Koelnmesse 3.0’ has a really great future. I want to draw your attention to our new venue in Saint-Petersburg, ExpoForum, which is not only up-to-date in Russia, but worldwide.
What plans do you have for your presidency? Could you tell us more about the issues you are keen to focus on?
First of all to keep UFI as the leading professional association of the global exhibition industry. Together with our new managing director Kai Hattendorf, and the very professional team of UFI, our respective executive committee, the board of directors to maintain and develop the great traditions that were created during 90 years of history.
My mission is to coordinate all the actions to ensure UFI’s leading position, as well as to offer better services to our members, to provide new information and update research in our professional fields, and to make our meetings more interesting and effective. Our association committee will develop relationships with national associations, which are extremely important at UFI.
Of course, as UFI’s first president from Russia, I will also be working hard to build closer ties between the global exhibition industry and my own country. We have seen huge changes in Russia’s exhibition business over the 20 or more years I have been an active member of UFI, and I would like to use my presidency to help people better understand what is happening in my country.
Can we expect a saxophone solo or two during UFI events in 2015/16?
Yes of course. I’m ready to play for my friends and colleagues any time. “Jazz is my mistress” as Duke Ellington loved to say. Without improvisation, it is impossible to do shows, especially in my own country.
