A face-to-face event, attracting participants from 10 countries

Dubai hosts the conference of the "International Association of Exhibition Industry" for the Middle East and Africa

Issam Kazim: The resumption of trade fairs and business events strengthens Dubai's position as a leading center of knowledge.

From the source

Dubai hosted the “World Association of Exhibition Industry” (UFI) conference for the Middle East and Africa, which was held at the Dubai World Trade Center, during which the participants were informed of the plans and measures taken by Dubai to resume business activities despite the repercussions of the “Covid-19” pandemic.

The one-day conference was considered the first event for the Association to be personally attended since the beginning of the outbreak of the pandemic last year, and 150 representatives of exhibition and conference organizers from 10 countries participated in it, with the importance of the event as it brings together the most prominent officials in this sector in the Middle East region. And Africa and beyond, and what increases its importance is the timing of its convening, which coincides with the world’s endeavor to accelerate the pace of recovery and restore economic activities to its momentum, which is what Dubai supports from being a major center for the exhibition and conference industry in the region, which in turn is a powerful engine for various economic activities that allow it to Opportunities for networking, exchanging ideas, exploring opportunities and establishing new partnerships.

Participating delegations

At the start of the conference, the Director General of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and the Dubai World Trade Center Authority, Hilal Saeed Al-Marri, delivered a speech in which he welcomed the delegations participating in this important gathering, stressing Dubai's tireless work, under the guidance of the wise leadership, to provide all the necessary ingredients to contribute to the recovery of the global economy and the restoration of the sector. International exhibitions and conferences are active in their activities, through the guarantees they provide to ensure that all participants in major events held on their land, whether exhibitors or visitors, have the highest levels of safety at all times by applying all the recommended preventive measures, which proved remarkable success through several major global events. Dubai hosted it over the past few months.

Direct attendance

The Managing Director and CEO of the World Association of Exhibition Industry, Kai Hattendorf, delivered a speech in which he thanked the Emirate of Dubai and its rational leadership for hosting this conference in direct attendance, noting the apparent keenness he had witnessed during the conference to implement precisely the preventive measures, which confirms Dubai's merit to play the expected role. One of them is to support the recovery of the global exhibitions and conferences sector to its recovery, and prepare for a new phase in which economic activities continue their plans and projects, which will enhance the speed of the global economy's recovery from the consequences of "Covid-19".

An ideal environment

Essam Kazem, Executive Director of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “Thanks to the distinguished management of the (Covid-19) pandemic, Dubai has been able to play an important role in moving the wheel of the business events sector around the world, with the resumption of trade fairs and business events that contribute clearly. In developing the economy and strengthening Dubai's position as a leading center of knowledge.

We are keen, through true partnership with our local and international partners, to create the ideal environment to host events and major events in Dubai to share knowledge and benefit from it.

He added: “Hosting the (World Association of Exhibition Industry) conference for the Middle East and Africa comes to confirm our approach to constructive communication with the leading authorities in this sector, and to provide a platform that ensures its continuous development.

We are ready to provide all support to this industry, by encouraging organizers from different countries of the world to reschedule their activities to host them in Dubai with all the safety guarantees it provides for all.

Quick recovery

For his part, the Regional Director of the International Association of Exhibition Industry for the Middle East and Africa, Naji Haddad, said: “The Association welcomes the organization of its first conference with a direct presence in Dubai, which is one of the first global cities to re-host business events despite the continuation of the pandemic. This conference is a clear indication of the resilience of the sector and its endeavor to continue the path of prosperity despite the exceptional circumstances that the world is going through.

He added: “The success of this conference confirms the keenness of Dubai, Dubai World Trade Center and (Dubai Tourism) to achieve a rapid recovery of various sectors, including the business events sector, and we value their efforts in this, and we also thank all partners, speakers and sponsors for their contribution and participation in the conference. ».

• The conference was attended by 150 representatives of exhibition and conference organizers.

• The «Conference» is the first event of the League to be attended personally since the beginning of the outbreak of the pandemic last year.

Conferences and exhibitions

The "Global Exhibition Industry Association" conference comes within a group of important conferences and exhibitions that Dubai has hosted during the past months, including "GITEX Technology Week", "Gulfood" and "Arab Travel Market" exhibition.

The coming months will also witness Dubai hosting more major events, including the "Arab Health Exhibition" and the Hotel Show, as momentum increases in anticipation of hosting the "Expo 2020 Dubai".

Issam Kazem: "Dubai has played an important role in moving the wheel of the business events sector around the world."

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