The 2025 IFES World Summit in Guadalajara, Mexico (17–20 June), entitled “Transforming Our Learnings into a Sustainable Future”.promises to be a dynamic platform for global exchange, inviting exhibition and event professionals from across the IFES network and beyond to reflect, innovate, and build actionable solutions that will shape the industry’s future.

With its foundation rooted in four decades of international collaboration, IFES provides a space for meaningful conversations that translate knowledge into real-world impact.

IFES President Jörg Zeissig affirms this spirit of action, saying, “We are not just gathering to talk—we are meeting to tackle issues, provide solutions and to act. The learnings we’ve accumulated over four decades are only valuable if we apply them. Guadalajara represents that action point.”

 

Inspiration from Global Visionaries

Delegates can look forward to an inspiring speaker line-up designed to stimulate fresh thinking and provoke dialogue around the future of exhibitions.
Opening the event, Gustavo Staufert, CEO of the Guadalajara Convention & Visitors Bureau, will offer a local perspective on why Guadalajara is emerging as a major hub for innovation and sustainability in global events—and how the city’s identity complements the Summit’s mission.

Among the featured speakers is Daphne S. Leger, an Innovation and Change Expert renowned for her work with organisations navigating disruption. Following Gustavo with her energising keynote, Daphne will share the four keys to activating ‘changeability’—a crucial skill in today’s unpredictable landscape—and explore how embracing both planned and unexpected change can serve as a pathway to sustainable transformation in business and in life.

We will explore the global forces shaping tomorrow’s exhibition landscape, with a focus on digital transformation and the evolving expectations of a tech-savvy workforce and insights which will help attendees prepare for a rapidly shifting industry.

Adding an artistic lens to the conversation, Felipe Linares, Chief Art Director at COCOLAB INTERNATIONAL, will bring a fresh perspective on immersive experience design and innovation. Through his creative approach, delegates will explore how storytelling and sensory engagement can deepen audience connection—both on the show floor and beyond.

Provocative Panel Discussions

Breaking Barriers: The Power of Reverse Mentorship a dynamic panel hosted by the IFES Talent Team (ITT), will explore how reverse mentorship is reshaping leadership models in the events industry, with emerging talent and seasoned professionals sharing personal journeys, lessons learned, and strategies for navigating change. Gain insights into how cross-generational mentorship can empower individuals, transform teams, and unlock new potential across organisations.

Same But Different, moderated by Ana Maria Arango, brings together the diverse voices of Giselle Chavez Carmona, Marie Browne, Mariane Ewbank amongst others to examine the often-complex relationships between organisers, venues and service providers—the core triangle of the trade show ecosystem. By encouraging open dialogue and mutual understanding, the panel will highlight shared pain points, surface new ideas, and inspire more integrated collaboration throughout the value chain.

 

IFES Committees Bring the Dialogue Forward

Power Sessions led by IFES Special Interest Committees explore key strategic focus areas in a more hands-on and collaborative format. These interactive 30-minute sessions aim to both share practical knowledge and crowdsource input that can shape the next phase of IFES programming.

In Level Up Your Sustainability Game, members of the IFES Sustainability Committee will share candid insights into their experiences with certifications, best practices, and real-world implementation of sustainable solutions. Whether you’re just starting your sustainability journey or looking to raise your existing efforts, this session promises peer-to-peer learning and actionable ideas.

Shape the Future of IFES Education with education leaders including Lee Ali, Han Leenhouts and John Pavek, explores what kind of learning formats and subject matter are most relevant for today’s professionals.

In From Vision to Action: Building a Sustainable & Effective ITT, Louisa Lorenzand Martijn Besaris lead a working session focused on turning big ideas into impactful initiatives centred around building sustainable structures for talent development and mentorship across IFES member companies.

 

More Ideas. More Collaboration. More Participation.

As IFES boldly moves beyond 40 years of global collaboration, the 2025 World Summit will provide the perfect platform to build momentum toward a more inclusive and sustainable future for exhibitions and events. Whether you’re a returning member or a first-time participant, this is your opportunity to connect with global players, explore emerging trends, and contribute to a shared vision of progress.

For more information about the 2025 IFES World Summit and how you can participate, visit: 👉 www.ifesnet.com/events-all/ws25-guadalajara

 

 

 

About IFES:
The International Federation of Exhibition & Event Services (IFES) is the worldwide trade association dedicated to the specific needs of exposition designers and providers of tradeshow and events services. Over 300 companies representing more than 45 countries are proud network members. The purpose of IFES is to promote the commercial, professional, and socio-political interests of its members on an international level and generate and promote a business and knowledge exchange platform for its active members in the global market.
The IFES mission is to create partner unity and generate a stronger understanding of exhibition and event marketing on a worldwide scale through networking and knowledge sharing.

For more information about the International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services, please contact IFES PR and Communications Manager Robyn D’Alessandro at [email protected] or go to www.ifesnet.org