The leading international exhibition industry event in the region UFI (Union des Foires Internationales or Union of International Fairs in English) MEA Conference kicked off in Doha bringing together business experts, leaders and professionals from the region for a three-day event that will conclude today.
Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Group Chief Executive of Qatar Airways, H E Akbar Al Baker, expressed his delight that the country is hosting such a prestigious conference. He also emphasised the country’s audacious goal of being a worldwide leader in corporate events.
“Qatar has bold ambitions to become a global leader in business events, which Qatar Tourism views as central to achieving its 2030 tourism goals. Qatar’s strategic location, multiaward-winning airline and airport, open visa facilitation and industry-leading selection of conferencing and exhibition facilities, make it an ideal choice for seamless, productive, and enjoyable business travel.”
The conference, being hosted in Qatar for the first time, represents a major step forward for Qatar Tourism, which views tourist sectors such as meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) as critical to attaining its long-term aim of growing visitor numbers.
In a panel discussion “Qatar – a new rising regional hub for the MICE industry,” Qatar Tourism COO, Berthold Trenkel asserted the country’s readiness to excel in the MICE sector.
“Last year, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was not only a springboard, it catapulted forward and put Qatar on the map of tourism. MICE is one of the pillars of tourism. We are now well established, we are here to ‘rock and roll’ and we’re just getting started.”
Yesterday, several panel discussions took place including “Case study: The 2022 FIFA World Cup – The untold story of glory and legacy,” with FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 CEO, Nasser Al Khater; “Qatar – a new rising regional hub for the MICE industry,” with Katara Hospitality Director of Operations, Mohammed Alasmakh; Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori; and Qatar Tourism COO, Berthold Trenkel; “The Future of work debunked” with speakers Trescon Global UAE Group CEO, Naveen Bharadwaj; dmg events UAE HR Director, Premilar Braganza; BTS UAE Associate Director, Naveen Martis.