STRONG teams and workplace culture have earned Informa Markets Asean top industry recognition. The organiser has won the 2026 UFI People & Culture Award from the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, which celebrates companies that foster collaboration and build meaningful connections among employees.
This year’s UFI People & Culture Award was based on the theme of “Strengthening Internal Relationships and Collaboration”. It encouraged practical approaches that support performance, employee experience, and organisational resilience.
This time the work done by Informa in markets across the Association of Southeast Asia Nations economic and trading bloc captured the judges’ attention.
“Winning the UFI People & Culture Award is a proud moment for Informa Markets Asean. It is a recognition of the importance we place on our people as a key driver of our business,” said Ian Roberts, Senior Vice President, Informa Markets Asia.
“In a diverse and dynamic region like Asean, creating opportunities for our people to learn, grow, connect, and collaborate across Asean has been an important part of strengthening our business.
– Ian Roberts, Informa
“I am incredibly proud of our Asean HR team and all the people managers who have contributed to this journey. This award is a testament to what can be achieved when we invest in our people and create the environment for them to thrive,” Roberts said.
Events organised by Informa’s teams in Southeast Asia recently included Vitafoods Asia 2026, held this month at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Bangkok. Coming to a close tomorrow is the three-day Food Ingredients Asia Indonesia 2026, at Jakarta International Expo, while Oil & Gas Asia took place at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre earlier this month.
Cinzia Zanin, UFI People & Culture Working Group Chair, said “Informa Markets Asean impressed the jury with a comprehensive and highly practical approach to strengthening internal relationships and collaboration across countries, functions and levels.
“They created multiple, intentional opportunities for people to connect, learn from one another and work together on real business challenges. Particularly interesting was the combination of a clear strategy, strong leadership involvement and measurable results.
– Cinzia Zanin, UFI
“Their entry is a great example of how People & Culture can build stronger connections while creating tangible value for both employees and the business.”
The jury also praised this year’s finalists: Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), Consumer Technology Association, Dubai Airshow – Informa Markets, and Bangkok’s IMPACT Exhibition Management.
Each year, the UFI Awards celebrate excellence in digital innovation, marketing, sustainable development, operations and services, people and culture, and industry partners. Selected projects from the UFI Awards are shared through UFI’s Best Practices Library, supporting knowledge sharing and helping exhibition professionals worldwide learn from the industry’s leading initiatives.
Main image… A presentation at Fi Asia Indonesia in Jakarta, one of Informa Markets Asia’s events
