Dear fellow IFES Members,
It was a pleasure for me to see many of you at EuroShop 2026 in Düsseldorf. Once again, EuroShop reminded us of something fundamental about our industry: progress happens when we come together. Many thanks to EuroShop, Elke and her team for providing such an outstanding platform for our community to unite.
Walking the halls of EuroShop, meeting so many of you in person, and witnessing the incredible creativity, innovation, and professionalism on display was deeply inspiring and felt good. The energy throughout the exhibition confirmed what we already know but sometimes need to experience again firsthand – our industry thrives on collaboration, ideas, and shared ambition.
What stood out most was not only the remarkable work presented by companies from across the globe, but the spirit behind it. The conversations, the partnerships, the openness to exchange ideas, and the collective forward thinking demonstrated clearly that our IFES community represents something truly special. We are not just a network – we are a trusted global ecosystem of professionals who believe in cooperation, quality, and innovation.
Stronger Together: The Value of the IFES Network
The strength of IFES lies in the relationships we have built together over many years. Trust, reliability, and partnership are the foundations of our federation. In an industry where projects span continents and cultures, having a network that you can rely on makes all the difference.
We see inspiring examples of IFES members collaborating across borders – supporting each other on complex projects, sharing knowledge, and turning challenges into opportunities. These success stories demonstrate the true value of belonging to IFES: when we work together, we create possibilities that none of us could achieve alone.
This spirit of collaboration is what makes our community sought after worldwide. It is our shared values, our professionalism, and our commitment to excellence that continue to set IFES apart. This is how we uphold our code of conduct and ethics.
Looking Ahead: Creating the Future Together
To continue strengthening this collaboration, we are very much looking forward to welcoming you to the IFES World Summit 2026. These gatherings allow us to connect on a deeper level, exchange ideas openly, and develop the “perfect recipes” that help our businesses and our industry grow. As you know, we are currently preparing to host the Summit in Dubai, while carefully monitoring the situation in the broader region. Please be assured that we are following developments with the utmost care and responsibility.
We remain in close and ongoing dialogue with our trusted local partners in Dubai, the relevant authorities in the United Arab Emirates, and international travel and security advisory sources. This continuous exchange allows us to assess developments responsibly and in real time, always with the safety and well-being of our members as the highest priority.
Our intention is clear: to create a meaningful, inspiring, and safe environment where our community can come together once again.
A Community That Moves Forward Together
Moments like EuroShop remind us that the future of our industry is not built by individual companies alone – it is built by communities, by individuals in a network that share knowledge, support each other, and innovate together. IFES is proud to be such a community.
Thank you for your commitment, your collaboration, and your trust. Together, we will continue shaping the future of the exhibition and event services industry.
I look forward to seeing many of you again soon.
With positive regards,
Jorg
