Dubai
is the foremost exhibition destination in the Middle East and Africa,
spearheading a regional sector with annual revenues of US$ 3.37 billion,
according to data gathered from the CEOs of some of the world’s
biggest event management companies.
The study was revealed to mark the inaugural Middle East edition of
the International CEO Forum (ICF). This annual, invitation-only event
– supported by Dubai World Trade Centre – brought together
top executives from the world’s largest event-organizing companies.
It was the first time that the forum was held outside of Europe, drawing
the highest turnout of delegates in its history.
Research
presented at the ICF suggests that enlightened leadership, an enabling
business environment and ongoing investment in support infrastructure
are three of the major factors that have helped to position Dubai
at the forefront of the global events and exhibitions industry.
“The International CEO Forum has traditionally been the most
important meeting of minds in the events industry, enabling leading
executives to analyze key trends affecting the market, as well as
providing unique networking opportunities. Dubai provided an ideal
venue to host this year’s event, because the city is rapidly
becoming one of the world’s most important venues for exhibitions,”
said PRM Smulders, Organiser of the ICF.
Dubai has successfully avoided this trend to date, registering record
double digit visitor growth across many of its leading events in 2007.
With a vision to make Dubai the leading destination for all major
exhibitions, conferences and events, Dubai World Trade Centre has
ensured that it is able to anticipate and respond dynamically to these
global industry trends through its ambitious strategic growth agenda.
Its twin major integrated commercial developments – Dubai Exhibition
City (DEC) and Dubai Trade Centre District (DTCD) – are being
designed to have the capacity, facilities and infrastructure that
can cater to the requirements of the world’s largest consumer
and trade events. These world-class integrated commercial destinations
will seamlessly blend business and lifestyle offerings to attract
high volumes of new and repeat visitors.
Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of DWTC said: “The international
event industry is continuously evolving, becoming increasingly professional
and extremely competitive. The range of new challenges and opportunities
promises a very exciting future and it is very encouraging that the
world is seeing Dubai operate at the cutting-edge of these global
changes.” DTCM and Dubai Convention Bureau (DCB) have been aggressively
promoting Dubai as a choice destination for the MICE industry.
