Exhibitions and conference organisers form new business group backed by DCCI

169 members are registered with the DCCI this year, up from 77 five years ago.

Around 40 representatives of Dubai's leading exhibitions and conferences organisers, including senior officials from Dubai World Trade Centre, met at DCCI yesterday to set up a new business group dedicated to the sector.

The aim of the Exhibitions and Conferences Organisers Group is to represent member interests more effectively with the support and legal backing of the Chamber.

Dr Anwar Gargash, Member of the Board and Head of DCCI's Economic Affairs and Commercial Activities Committee, chaired yesterday's meeting. Ahmed Al Banna, Assistant Director General for Studies and International Affairs, also attended.

Dr Gargash said: "Through the formation of these new business groups, we hope to develop an infrastructure to promote business development in Dubai, and further networking opportunities for Chamber members with the local, regional, and international community."

Dr Gargash continued: "This initiative will enable the Chamber to satisfy the needs of members, offer value-added services, and provide access to increasingly relevant market information."

Dr Gargash expanded on the potential of the new business groups, explaining that members could assist the development of government draft legislation affecting their sector. He also pointed out that membership of the new groups involves no additional DCCI fee.

Mr Ahmed Al Banna, Assistant Director General for Studies and International Affairs at DCCI, gave a short presentation on the progress of the exhibitions and conferences industry in Dubai since 1997 and explained the facilities available at the Chamber to members.

DCCI helped stage Dubai's first ever trade exhibition in 1976. Last year, a total of 272 exhibitions, conferences, symposiums, and workshops took place in Dubai, up from 216 in 1997.

So far, six other new business groups in Dubai have been created under the umbrella of the Chamber to cover foodstuffs trading, land transport, pharmaceutical and health equipment, building materials trading, printing and publishing, and food and beverage manufacturing.

Delegates attending yesterday's meeting agreed to elect a committee of between eight to 12 members to head the new Exhibitions and Conferences Organisers Group. Members will vote on nominations at a meeting attended by DCCI officials shortly.