Middle East
Abu Dhabi welcomed more than 10 million international visitors in 2018
Abu Dhabi welcomed more than 10 million international visitors in 2018, with the emirate also posting figures showing incredible growth over the last three years. These figures were powered by the addition of a host of world-class events and enhancements to all of its specialised tourism sectors, as well as massive improvements to its infrastructure and significant development of its cultural asse...
Inaugural Abu Dhabi International Boat Show sails onto awards shortlist
With seven months until the 2019 edition of the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show (ADIBS), the inaugural edition in 2018 is still generating a buzz after being shortlisted by the Middle East Special Event (MESE) Awards in the Best Consumer Exhibition category. The 2018 show attracted 21,123 attendees, 270 exhibitors and brands from 25 countries, for its maiden voyage at Abu Dhabi National Exhibiti...
Qatar foundation announces 50% female panel pledge
Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, vice chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation (QF), has made a pledge that women will make up at least half the panel speakers at all its conferences and events, locally and internationally. QF is a non-profit organization made up of more than 50 entities working in education, research, and community development. The pledge means participants in disc...
Global gas association IGU chooses Oman for its IGRC conference in 2020
The Sultanate of Oman has been selected to host the International Gas Union’s 16th International Gas Research Conference (IGRC) in 2020. The successful bid was won in collaboration with Oman LNG and the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC). The IGRC is a triennial event organised by the International Gas Union (IGU) that highlights the research, development and innovation aspects of the ...
ADNEC’s Hive brings a fresh buzz for events
The Hive grew out of an idea for an Innovation Lab concept for ADNEC’s own staff meetings and now offers 865sqm of versatile space, designed as not just a space for hire but one that can enhance the benefits of face-to-face engagement. The Hive consists of an 80-seat auditorium informally named The Collaboratorium, and The Lab that offers 320sqm of configurable space as well as three meeting rooms...
Dubai World Trade Centre wins bids for ten new congresses
Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has announced that it has won bids to host ten new international congresses at the venue from 2019-2022. The events are expected to bring around 37,000 delegates to the city, and an estimated AED 700m (US $190m) for the economy. Events will include the 4thYoung Professionals in Space Conference (YPS), the 22ndInternational Academy of Astronautics Human in Space Symp...
IBTM Arabia partners with ICCA Middle East to host MICE Knowledge Platform
IBTM Arabia has announced the first details of the Knowledge Programme for its 2019 event, which will take place at Jumeirah Etihad Towers from 25-27 March. New this year is a ‘MICE Knowledge Platform’ – two specially tailored sessions in association with ICCA Middle East. The first session, ‘Business approaches across cultures’, will bring together panel members from across the MENA region ...
CWT shakes up EMEA leadership structure, as Country Directors depart
Global travel management company Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) has shaken up its European management structure, abolishing the roles of Country Director for Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Benelux, UK & Ireland, France, and Spain. As a result, the following people have left the company: Peter Ashworth (Senior VP, Central & Eastern Europe), Antonio Calegari (VP & Country Director,...
Dubai targets larger events and reports $330m meetings impact
Dubai is targeting larger-scale business events and says its 2018 wins are set to deliver AED1.2bn (US$330m) in economic impact over the coming years. The emirate’s CVB, Dubai Business Events (DBE), says that 153,000 delegates will visit the emirate as a result of business event wins in 2018. The bureau also reports growth in winning bids last year when it helped secure a total of 261 successful b...
Trio of senior hires kick starts 2019 for BCD Meetings & Events
Katie Knight, Mark Scales and Arran Cruickshanks are among 20 new starters in January for BCD Meetings & Events across the EMEA region. The agency’s new hires are part of the company’s expansion plans. BCD has recently integrated Grass Roots M&E in to one single business entity, and has also set its ambitions to double its size in the next two years. David Taylor, VP of Sales & Marketi...
Israeli innovation on show
Tel Aviv is to host for the first time, 16 April 2019, the International BigData – Healthcare conference. The event, organised by Big Data TLV, will focus exclusively on Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in the healthcare sector. The full-day event is aimed at clinicians, researchers, venture capitalists and startup representatives and organisers are confident of attracting a truly internationa...
ICCA sees big charity contribution in Dubai
The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) continued its a strong tradition of giving back to the local community during its annual congress, collecting a €5,555 (US$7,044) contribution to the blindness prevention charity Noor Dubai Foundation at its 57th ICCA Congress in Dubai in November. ICCA also donated 591 pairs of glasses. Dubai Business Events, the city’s official convent...