Dubai last week became the first city in the GCC region to host the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) Annual Meeting and General Assembly. One hundred and twenty delegates from 30 countries were at the Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights, 16-19 February, to discuss the conference’s main theme of creating opportunities and leading the future.
The association’s 48th Annual Meeting and General Assembly was hosted by Dubai-based IAPCO member company Meeting Minds Experts, and supported by Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau.
The gathering proved one of IAPCO’s largest since its first meeting in 1969. The association estimates that its members now collectively organise 8,500 meetings per year with an economic impact of over US$5.3bn.
Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said his organisation was honoured to host the event. “This further strengthens Dubai’s profile as a premier international business event destination and highlights the emirate’s diversified offering – comprising global connectivity, state-of-the-art facilities, first-class infrastructure, and great hospitality – to key stakeholders who shape the business events industry.”
The CEO said he anticipated further growth in the number of visitors to the emirate in line with Dubai’s Tourism Vision for 2020 and the UAE Vision 2021.
Speakers participating in the event included Sarah Al Almiri, chairwoman of The Emirates Scientists Council Science Lead, Emirates Mars Mission (Hope Mission), and Majran Faraidooni, vice-president – Legacy EXPO 2020.
IAPCO president Jan Tonkin said: “This year’s Annual Meeting and General Assembly offered a unique platform to discuss the all-important quality standards we strive to achieve globally, and to network with other like-minded partners in an environment that is more than collegial.”
