UFI announces winners of 2026 Next Generation Leadership Programme

 

PARIS – UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has announced the winners of the 2026 Next Generation Leadership (NGL) programme. Chosen from a competitive pool of applicants, the winners were selected by an international jury chaired by UFI President Panittha Buri. Now in its tenth edition, the NGL Programme recognizes and supports emerging talent in the exhibition industry, with a focus on driving innovation and positive change.

This year’s winners are:

• 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, Exhibitions, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (Malaysia)

The NGL Programme, sponsored by Clarion Events, dmg events, Informa Markets, Messe Düsseldorf, and RX, offers winners mentorship and guidance from global industry leaders, positioning it as the exhibition industry’s premier talent accelerator initiative. This year’s programme focuses on how exhibitions can remain relevant in a world shaped by **Gen Z** and younger millennials, with the winners tasked with exploring bold strategies to engage these emerging generations.

The international jury, chaired by Panittha Buri, included the following members:

• Ann-Katrin Lammers – Head of HR, Messe Düsseldorf (Germany)
• Brian Brittain – COO, RX (UK)
• Catherine Girven – Head of Learning, Informa (UK)
• Chris Skeith OBE – CEO & Managing Director, UFI (UK)
• Diana Maria Salman – Senior Sales Manager, FEXPOCRUZ (Bolivia)
• Hala Dean – VP, Organizational Learning & Development, Clarion Events (USA)
• Premila Braganza – Vice President – HR, dmg events (UAE)

“If exhibitions are powered by people, then the NGL programme is where the energy comes from. This year’s winners impressed with fresh thinking, fearless ideas, and 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,” said Panittha Buri, UFI President.

The winners will begin their journey with an in-person workshop at the UFI European Conference in Izmir, Turkey, in June. Over the next seven months, they will collaborate online to develop their project, with the programme concluding at the 93rd UFI Global Congress, where they will present their insights and vision for the future of the industry.

UFI congratulates the winners of the 2026 Next Generation Leadership programme and looks forward to supporting them as they embark on this exciting journey.

Tags: Panittha Buri UFI