UFI and VMA launch second Asian venue education programme

UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and the Venue Management Association (VMA) have launched their second jointly organised venue education programme for exhibition venue managers in Asia.

The 2020 programme begins on 28 June in Macau and will offer three days of face-to-face instruction.

This English language version follows the 2017 launch of the very popular Mandarin language version in Shanghai, which has since seen 100 students complete that programme.

The Mandarin-language programme covers a wide range of capabilities, including leadership skills, strategic planning, marketing, people management as well as problem-solving and decision-making skills. The content of the 2020 English-language version will be based on the Mandarin-language edition.

Cliff Wallace, a past UFI President and long-time supporter of VMA’s educational programmes will act as senior advisor overseeing the development of the Macau programme.

Kai Hattendorf, Managing Director/CEO of UFI, commented: “Following the sold-out success of our Mandarin-language edition, UFI is pleased to once again partner with VMA to launch an English language version of the Venue Management School. Exhibition venue capacity in Asia has grown enormously in the past decade and with this programme UFI aims to support the expansion with high quality training for senior management.

“UFI is, once again, proud to partner with VMA to bring its widely respected Venue Management School to new markets.”

Michael Brierley, CEO of VMA, added: “The VMA’s world-renowned Venue Management School in Australia has been teaching venue management professionals for over 26 years, and we are delighted that the partnership with UFI has gone from strength to strength. The VMS China, and soon to be launched VMS Macau are key building blocks in ensuring that we can educate the next generation of venue professionals to become better venue managers and leaders.”