Panittha Buri, vice-chairperson of Bangkok-based Bhiraj Buri
Group, has been elected president of UFI, the association for the global
exhibition industry, for the 2025-26 period.
Buri will join the UFI Presidential Trio as incoming president
next November and become UFI President at the 92nd UFI Global Congress in
November 2025 in Hong Kong.
Her appointment by the UFI boards confirms the UFI
Presidential Trio for the November 2024 – November 2025 term as Hugh Jones
(CEO, RX),president, Buri, incoming president, and Geoff Dickinson (CEO, dmg events), who serves
until November 2024, as outgoing president.
Buri has been vice-chairperson of Bhiraj Buri Group, the
property management company that owns Bangkok International Trade and
Exhibition Centre (BITEC), since October 2022.
Previously she was managing director at BITEC. Since 2023, she
has taken on several prominent roles: chair of the UFI Asia Pacific Chapter, president
of the Thai Exhibition Association (TEA), and board member of the Thailand
Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). She is also an expert representative
for Bangna Commercial College and a Board Member of both UFI and AIPC.
Geoff Dickinson, UFI’s current president, said: “(Buri) has
served the events industry passionately and committed for many years in various
roles. She brings a high level of experience and excellent relationships with
her industry peers, and as vice chair of the Bhiraj Buri Group, she has
extensive leadership experience. She is also a very kind and caring person who
will progress the core values of UFI.”
Panittha Buri adds: “I am excited about the journey ahead
and am grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside each of you. Let's
embark on this journey with passion, integrity and a shared vision for the next
generations to come. Together, we can achieve great things.”
As UFI’s incoming president, Buri will work closely with the
president and outgoing president as part of the presidential trio, managing UFI
at the highest level and furthering UFI’s mission to connect, support and
promote the exhibition industry around the world.
UFI’s recent presidents have been from the UK (Michael Duck,
2022-23, Hong Kong (Monica Lee-Müller, 2021-22), India (Anbu Varathan,
2020-21), the USA (Mary Larkin, 2019-20), South Africa (Craig Newman, 2018-19),
and Italy (Corrado Peraboni, 2017-18).
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
