Paris, 2nd February: UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, has appointed Marie-Laure Bellon as its next Chief Operating Officer, effective 1st March 2021. Bellon will take over the role from Sonia Thomas, who will leave UFI in late March after more than 14 years with the association.

Previously Bellon was with Eurovet, a French exhibition organiser, for more than 17 years – including 13 years as CEO. She has held various senior executive positions at Eurovet, and has been involved in the strategic positioning and restructuring of the business, launching new activities in Asia and the U.S., and leading the overall international development of the organisation. Bellon also worked at Reed Expositions France in leadership positions for more than nine years.