UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has appointed Marie-Laure Bellon as its next Chief Operating Officer. Currently the CEO and General Manager at French exhibition organiser Eurovet, she will join UFI on 1 March, and work out of the organisation’s headquarters in Paris.
Marie-Laure Bellon was selected from a wide range of international candidates, following a global call for applicants.
Kai Hattendorf, UFI CEO and Managing Director comments: “I am very pleased to welcome Marie-Laure Bellon to the UFI team and look forward to working together with her. Her experience in the exhibition industry will be an asset in leading UFI activities, managing the Paris Office and administration.”
Marie-Laure Bellon says: “I am delighted to take on this role at UFI and to add my skills and experience to the impressive work that the team has done over the years. UFI holds a pivotal position in driving industry advocacy efforts and in keeping the industry connected and updated during these tough times. I look forward to this opportunity to serve the industry and to face the challenges that await me.”
Marie-Laure Bellon joins UFI from Eurovet, the world-leading trade show organiser for lingerie and swimwear, and a subsidiary of Comexposium and the French Knitting and Lingerie Federation. At Eurovet, she has held various senior executive positions over the years. These roles involved the strategic positioning and restructuring of the business, launching new activities in Asia and the United States, and leading the overall international development of the organisation. Her career also includes leadership positions in management as well as business development for Reed Expositions France.
Marie-Laure Bellon holds an executive MBA from the Toulouse Business School. She will take over the role of UFI COO from Sonia Thomas, who will leave the association in late March after many successful years to set up her own business. “On behalf of the whole UFI team and membership, I would like to thank Sonia for the unique part she has played in developing UFI as the global association for our industry in the various roles she had as her career evolved within UFI,” says Kai Hattendorf.
