ABU DHABI The emirate is looking at newly launched Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau (ADCB) to power its goal to rank among the world’s top business events destinations in five years.
Set up by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the entity will act as a one-stop shop for meeting organisers. “We will provide free, non-biased assistance and support to professional convention, incentive and exhibition planners, corporations and associations so they can bid for, win and hold conferences and congresses in Abu Dhabi,” explained His Excellency Jasem Al Darmaki, deputy director general, TCA Abu Dhabi.
The official added that increasing focus on business events dovetailed with the government’s “2030 Economic Vision” and recognised "the potential of the MICE sector to contribute to Abu Dhabi’s wider tourism aspirations and generate significant economic impact for the destination through increasing visitor numbers, hotel occupancies, flights and other visitor and exhibition spend”.
Al Darmaki of TCA Abu Dhabi (right) and Al Dhaheri of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (left) during the launch
Managed by both expatriate and Emirati experts, the bureau will provide a range of industry services consisting of bid presentation support, delegate generation campaigns, local stakeholder coordination and knowledge, onsite-destination intelligence, government support and marketing aid.
On their wish list, Al Darmaki revealed, are “six major business wins this year, a further eight next year and a total of 10 wins in 2015”.
In 2011, the International Congress and Convention Association billed Abu Dhabi 234 in the world for eight high-profile hosting achievements that year such as the World Opthalmology Congress. “We have more than doubled that last year, and realistically expect to be within ICCA’s Top 150 when rankings are announced in the next few months,” said Al Darmaki.
For more details, visit http://abudhabi-cb.ae
Margie T Logarta
