The Countdown begins for Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre’s Launch

The Sultanate of Oman is excitedly counting down the months to the opening of its highly anticipated Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC), which is set to propel the Sultanate’s reputation for hosting business events to a whole new level.

“Oman built the region’s first exhibition centre in 1979 and has successfully hosted trade and consumer exhibitions for decades,” explained OCEC General Manager, Trevor McCartney. “With the opening of this international world-class facility, we are set to take that legacy forward. Oman is about to prove its place as the region’s leading business events hub.”

An iconic landmark of dazzling proportions in Oman’s capital city, Muscat, the Centre will welcome its first visitors in February 2016. It is being built over two phases with Phase One ; the exhibition centre, delivering 22,000 square metres of column-free exhibition space spanning five halls, ten hospitality suites and supporting services including a full-production kitchen and a car park for up to 4,000 vehicles.

McCartney went on to explain that once the construction of Phase One is complete, the Centre will embark on an intensive three month period of ‘test’ events to perfect the skills of the team and ensure delivery of an unforgettable experience. He added: “I can say with absolute confidence that the opening of the Centre will be a truly memorable occasion, changing the face of events in the region and putting the world spotlight on Oman as the heart of innovation.”

Indeed, thanks to events already confirmed, OCEC is expected to attract over 200,000 exhibition visitors in its first year alone.

The Convention Centre will be ready for business in late 2017 with the completion of Phase Two, which will deliver OCEC’s spectacular 3,200 seat lyric-style tiered auditorium, an elegant 450 seat theatre, two lavish ballrooms and 13 well-appointed meeting rooms. These facilities have been designed to ensure low impact and noise by on-going events.

The impressive venue has been greeted enthusiastically by the global convention industry and has a significant number of confirmed conventions in the pipeline, the details of which will be announced at its press conference at IMEX in Frankfurt. McCartney added with pride, “Oman is regarded as one of the world’s most exciting emerging convention destinations and OCEC as an international venue of choice.
“Since plans for OCEC were unveiled, the reception has been phenomenal. The incredible success that OCEC is enjoying could not have been possible without the collaboration and support of Oman’s Ministry of Tourism and OCEC’s developer; Omran.”

www.omanconvention.com