Historically the economy in the Middle East has been built on selling oil, with the countries there investing little capital in other sectors. Today, all that has changed. The price of oil has dropped and, in a world where environmental pressures mean global powers are determined to stop burning it as fuel, the price of oil is unlikely to ever recover.
Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN) the developer of the iconic Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) project, which is the new landmark venue and business hub in Oman, has appointed through the Board of Directors of OCEC company Mr. Said Salim Said Al-Shanfari as CEO to lead the organisation through its next phase of innovation and growth.
By Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director Middle East, IBTM Arabia
Summary:
Like many new markets, the Middle East and North Africa has its own characteristics, requirements and dynamics when it comes to meetings, conferences and business events. This is a young market, with a transient and moving population, where there is high demand for education and learning products.
Dubai Association Centre (DAC), a joint initiative of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), is to host the city’s first-ever Association Leaders Getaway.
Delegates at the 57th ICCA Congress, taking place in Dubai later this year, will have the opportunity to support a local charity that prevents blindness and visual impairment globally, with organisers partnering with Noor Dubai Foundation on a number of initiatives.
Dubai Business Events, the city’s official convention bureau, secured 125 business events in the first half of 2018 which are set to attract over 65,000 delegates from around the world, with an expected economic impact of approximately AED 500 million.
Dubai is gearing up to host the 57th Congress of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) next year, following the conclusion of this year’s edition in Prague.
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry announced today that the 2020 UFI Global Congress will be held in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, and will be hosted by the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre.
ICCA Middle East’s strategic approach to stimulating the growth of meetings business and diversifying destinations is engaging policy makers and using creative meetings methodology.
The UICH (Union Internationale des Concierges d'Hôtels) Qatar Chapter has confirmed Doha will host the organisation’s annual congress in 2021. The 67th edition of the annual event is expected to gather more than 900 members of the hospitality sector for a six-day program which combines professional development, networking and social activities.
The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC), part of OMRAN’s Madinat Al Irfan Development is the first tourism development in Oman to achieve a LEED Gold certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) for package 2 (Exhibition Centre, Car Park and Energy Centre).
The Al Safeer Congress Ambassador Programme supported 67% of successful bids for association conferences submitted by Dubai Business Events in 2017 and members awarded at annual appreciation event held today at Park Hyatt, Dubai.
Dubai won a record 212 bids and proposals, representing a 61% increase from 2016 and 2017 wins result in an economic impact of approximately AED 715 million.
2017 has been a successful year for Lebanon. Not only is the country nearing 2 million of visitors by the end of the year (11% increase from last year), the country is amongst the top 10 trending destinations for 2018.
Since its founding in 1992, Meeting Media Group, publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ), has been a trusted guide and voice for associations and the global MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry.