Birgit Horn has been appointed as the new managing director of VIV worldwide. Based in the head office in Utrecht, Horn will officially start on August 1, 2022. She will contribute to enlarging the VIV worldwide network on all measures with regards to exhibitors, visitors and partner development and also further strengthen the worldwide reach of the VIV show portfolio.

Horn has 25 years of experience working in the exhibition industry. She has worked in different leadership positions with Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, a key player in the sector. As director, Horn was recently responsible for two world-leading trade shows with global reach counting a base of around 3,200 exhibitors. In her tenure, she has developed new trade fair and conference formats, expanding industry segments in Germany, India as well as in Turkey.

As the new managing director of VIV worldwide, Brigit Horn will succeed Heiko M. Stutzinger, who recently became COO of Royal Jaarbeurs | VNU Group. “We are thrilled to have Birgit on board. Her focus on industry developments by building strong connections through clear customer-driven event concepts will help VIV worldwide to continue its legacy in the sector,” said Heiko M. Stutzinger, COO Jaarbeurs. 

“I am very excited to join the VNU Group and looking forward to inspiring the whole team in reaching for the best possible services to supply top-quality events. At the same time, I am ready and keen to dive into the world of AgriFood and animal protein production, meet our existing partners and expand the VIV worldwide network in the Feed to Food industry,” said Horn. 

In her new role, Horn will be responsible for the entire VIV worldwide portfolio, which is spread across the globe – Asia, Europe, and the MEA region, and consists of VIV trade exhibitions, VIV Connect and the VIV trade forums. She will report to the group COO, Heiko M. Stutzinger.