Wednesday 03 / June / 2026
Izmir: Represented by “Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre”, the Sultanate of Oman was recently elected as chair of the UFI, “The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry”, for the period 2027-2028.
The announcement was made during a meeting of the board of directors of the UFI in Izmir, Türkiye.
The voting reflects Oman’s growing position on the map of global exhibitions, conferences and business events industry.
Eng. Said bin Salim Al Shanfari, CEO of Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, will assume the duties and mandates of President of the UFI with effect from November 2026.
Al Shanfari will officially take over as President of the “Global Association of the Exhibition Industry” during the UFI’s 94th World Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico, in November 2027. He will become the first Omani and first Arab person to hold this position since the UFI Association was founded more than 100 years ago.
The election of the CEO of Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre constitutes a step forward in consolidating the presence of the Middle East and Africa Region in the decision-making arena of the global exhibition industry.
It will help upgrade the region’s experiences and visions to a global status, support the growth of emerging markets and expand opportunities for cooperation, investment and exchange of knowledge among different countries of the world.
The announcement comes at a time the Sultanate of Oman is undergoing rapid growth in the business tourism sector, coupled with continuous investments in infrastructure and specialised facilities, in addition to constant success in attracting and hosting regional and international events, conferences and exhibitions.
This contributes to the consolidation of the Sultanate of Oman’s position as a leading hub for business in the region.
The election also reflects the evolution of the exhibitions and conferences industry in the Sultanate of Oman in recent years.
It reflects the efforts made by government departments and private sector establishments to consolidate the presence of the Sultanate of Oman on the map of international events.
Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre has played a key role towards this accomplishment by hosting and organizing major international and regional events that boosted the business tourism sector and achieved in-country added value for the national economy.
Al Shanfari said he looks forward to working with the UFI members and partners around the world—to establish a more interconnected, sustainable and innovative future for this vital industry, enhance its role in supporting economic development and open up new vistas for international cooperation.
