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.
