Celebrating 40 Years of Collaboration

The International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES) proudly celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2024. This milestone signifies four decades of fostering a collaborative and trusted environment for professionals in the exhibition and event industry worldwide. Originating as an idea to unite exhibit supplier associations from different countries, the IFES Federation aimed to facilitate discussions and share insights on exhibiting outside of one’s country of origin. Over time, IFES has evolved from its initial focus to become a thriving collaborative network of over 300 member companies and associations spanning the international landscape.

“For 40 years, IFES has been a cornerstone of the exhibition and event industry,” says IFES President Philippe Beille. “We have nurtured a spirit of collaboration that empowers businesses to thrive. We are incredibly proud of the strong network we have built, which is a testament to the power of shared knowledge and mutual support.”

The year-long celebrations commenced in 2024 at the IFES 2024 World Summit in Málaga and will include events such as MasterClass 24-Athens, BOE International, MasterClass-US, a joint IFES/IAPCO education workshop at IMEX, and an IFES/fwd. study Trip to the World Expo Osaka 2025, culminating in the IFES World Summit in June 2025 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

From Association-Centric Roots to a Global Network

Founding president Roger Taurent, followed by Rainer Winnen from Germany, established a structured foundation in 1984, expanding the federation to include associations from six countries: France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Great Britain.

The 1990s, saw IFES expand its membership and solidify its purpose co-led by Koen Bogaert (Belgium) and Paul van der Meer (Netherlands). Their diplomatic approach helped integrate new members from Italy, Denmark, Austria, Spain, the Czech Republic, and the USA during an era marked by unity and collaboration.

The 2000s witnessed significant growth and professionalisation under Leslie Zech (Austria), who attracted Eastern European countries, and Holgar Nicolaysen (Denmark), who forged stronger ties with the USA. Larry Kulchawik (USA) and Jose Maria Perez de Olacoechea (Spain) broadened the membership to include independent exhibit companies, making IFES even more inclusive. This period introduced new management structures and the IFES Code of Conduct under Bruno Meissner’s (Germany) leadership.

In recent years, presidents like Voicu Sferdianu (Romania), Peter Theodorides (Greece), and Justin Hawes (South Africa) have led IFES through global challenges, enhancing its brand and expanding its reach. Current president Philippe Beille (France) has focused on AI integration, digitisation, sustainability, and youth career development. Beille’s leadership has positioned IFES to meet the evolving demands of the exhibition industry effectively, ensuring continued resilience and growth.

 

Collaboration: The Cornerstone of IFES

Collaboration is more than just a strategy for IFES; it’s the heart and soul of the organisation. Endearingly referred to as a “family” by its members, IFES fosters a culture of trust and mutual respect that encourages open communication and knowledge exchange in a reputable space. This environment allows members to learn from each other’s experiences, tackle industry challenges collectively, and discover new growth opportunities.

IFES has 12 National Association members worldwide. It also works closely with international organisations like the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (Ufi), the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO), The Experiential Designers and Producers Association (EDPA) and the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA).

Formalised agreements between IFES and like-minded associations include finding reciprocal opportunities to share platforms at industry events and producing new knowledge for the industry through research projects, the exchange of white papers, and other initiatives.

A Legacy of Education and Industry Advancement

Collaboration is the heart and soul of IFES. Referred to as a “family” by its members, IFES fosters a culture of trust and mutual respect that encourages open communication and knowledge exchange where members learn from each other’s experiences, tackle industry challenges collectively, and discover new growth opportunities.

IFES has 12 National Association members worldwide and works closely with International Organisations like UFI, IAPCO, EDPA, and ECA. Formal agreements between IFES and these associations include opportunities to share platforms at industry events and produce new knowledge through research projects and white paper exchanges.

A strong priority is continuous learning and advancement, and IFES provides comprehensive educational resources, proactive networking opportunities, industry best practices, training courses, and informative webinars. Members also benefit from exclusive IFES MasterClasses led by industry experts, fostering a deeper understanding of critical trends and emerging technologies.

Championing Critical Industry Issues

In the face of global challenges, IFES leads discussions on sustainability, digitisation, and youth development through its special interest committees.

Regarding environmental responsibility, IFES offers resources and best practices for sustainable event planning and operations. The IFES Sustainability core team chairs the “Smart Production & Waste Management” workstream and is involved in parallel initiatives worldwide to promote sustainability in the exhibitions industry. As a service provider, IFES is seeking solutions to reduce carbon footprint and will soon offer a CF calculator to assist clients in calculating and offsetting their carbon footprints, both as individual exhibitors and through Organiser and Association programs. These initiatives will also develop solutions for social commitment and sustainable business models in the Exhibition industry.

With the world rapidly digitising, IFES helps members navigate the ever-evolving technological landscape striving to equip them with tools and knowledge to leverage technology for increased efficiency and audience engagement.

Keeping an eye on the longevity of the industry, IFES also supports youth empowerment initiatives. This includes fostering mentorship programs and creating opportunities for young talent to engage and contribute to the ongoing success of the industry.

A Celebration of Achievements and a Vision for the Future

As IFES celebrates its 40th anniversary, the organisation takes a moment to take stock of its achievements in facilitating numerous connections between industry leaders, fostering the exchange of knowledge and best practices, and playing a vital role in advancing the exhibition and event industry globally.

Looking ahead, IFES remains committed to its core values of collaboration, education, and industry advancement. These values are underpinned by a shared code of conduct that ensures ethical, respectful, and reliable behavior.

President-elect Jörg Zeissig adds, “Our network is well-positioned to tackle the evolving needs of the industry and ensure its continued success for generations to come. IFES will strengthen its role as a future business enabler for our members in cooperation with partner associations across the industry while expanding the IFES network in under-represented regions like Asia, Africa, and South America.”

About the International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES)

Dedicated to serving the global exhibition and event industry, IFES provides a platform for collaboration, education, and the exchange of best practices among its members, serving as a driving force for innovation and a key contributor to the continued success of the exhibition and event industry worldwide.