The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition center (ADNEC) hosted the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Middle East Chapter Workshop on bidding for international association meetings. Held April 22-23, the workshop included over 60 participants and 10 speakers.
Designed to provide an introduction about ICCA and the international association meetings sector’s bidding methodology, the workshop was attended by ICCA Middle East members and potential regional members in the private sector including professional conference organizers (PCOs), destination management companies (DMCs) and MICE venues, hotels and venue operators as well as government organizations from different parts of the region such as UAE, Oman and KSA.
The workshop’s program provided insight into the complexity of the international association meetings bidding process.
“If I had to name the single most critical skill in our business today, it would be bidding,” revealed Martin Sirk, CEO, ICCA. “Gaining an appreciation of how to identify and respond to clients’ key strategic objectives is really vital to stay ahead of the competition. Understanding how to integrate these business solutions with powerful destination branding so that clients are engaged both rationally and emotionally is the key to winning more international meetings. ”
Khalifa Al Qubaisi, head of sales of congresses and conferences for Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center and ICCA Middle east Chapter Chairperson, stated that the purpose of the workshop was to provide comprehensive solutions to all issues relating to bidding.
“We are proud to host this ICCA workshop, particularly since ICCA is regarded as the global expert in international association meetings and they provide us with the best tools to increase the Middle East’s market share in the international association meetings market,” Al Qubaisi remarked.
ICCA Regional Director Middle East Gamal Sadek added that the workshop also aimed to increase the number of international association meetings taking place in the region.
“ICCA is always pleased to support such regional initiatives as part of its role to develop the industry into the Middle East like many other regions worldwide, especially with the great potential that we can see for that region” supported Mahir Abdulkarim Julfar, director commercial – exhibitions and conferences at the Dubai World Trade Centre and ICCA Middle East Board of Director.
In November 2014, ICCA President Nina Freysen-Pretorius announced that the ICCA Board of Directors had selected Dubai as the host destination for 2018
“Not only did this bid fully meet our business objectives and logistical requirements, the Board considered it to be a truly exceptional proposal,” Freysen-Pretorious commented.
For more information, visit iccaworld.com
