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Jochen Witt
Executive Vice President

Born in Schwerin (Mecklenburg), Germany in 1952, attended Abitur (University Entrance Examination) Grammar School in Moers through 1971.  Served between 1971–1973, in the German Naval service at Glückstadt, Eckernförde, Wilhelmshaven and studied law at Göttingen University, and graduated with 1st State examination.  After a sabbatical for one year (1979-1980), Witt started his practical training period at the Hamburg Higher Regional Court (1980-1983) Passed 2nd State examination, with sessions in the German Town of Detmold and Speyer, as well as in Sri Lanka. 

Witt practice law in Hamburg, along with working for the Taxation Department at Wintershall AG, Kassel through 1983-1986.  Went to work for the Taxation Department at BASF AG, Ludwigshafer in 1990 and in 1990-1993 became head of the Taxation Department at Wintershall AG and Kall unc Salz AG at Kassel. During the period 1993-1998 became a Management Spokesman for the Potash Company of Canada, Toronto and also became a member of the management of Wingas GmbH, Kassel.  In September 1998 joined the management of KölnMesse GmbH and then assumed the position of KölnMesse President and CEO in October of 1998.  Also during this time Witt became a member of the management committee of UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry and the economic advisory committee of the Stadtsparkasse (Saving Bank).  In 1999 was elected to the executive board of AUMA – Association of the German Trade Fair Industry, became a committee member of the Dutch-German Chamber of Commerce as well as vice president of the German-British Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

In 1999-2004 Witt was named UFI European Chapter Chairman and became a member of the following societies, Full Assembly of the Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce, German Photography Society, German-Canadian Society. Witt also spent time on the committee on Economic Development and Planning of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Cologne and a Board of Trustees of the OFW-Organization Forum for the World Business Dialogue.

Witt a member of the UFI Business Management Committee now holds the position of UFI Executive Vice President.