The annual meeting was organized by the Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Hotel. Over 300 top Starwood executives from different parts of the world gathered to discuss Starwood's annual branding strategy for the group, considered to be one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world operating over 850 properties in more than 95 countries.
A jazz band provided live entertainment for the delegates who included Rip Gellein, President Global Development forStarwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Roeland Vos, President Europe, Africa and Middle East, Guido de Wilde, Vice President and Regional Director, Middle East and Eva Ziegler, Senior Vice President Le Meridien Brand.
"We are honored to welcome Starwood's executives at The Pearl-Qatar," said Elie Jubran, General Manager for Marketing and Communications at UDC. "It is fitting to have such a prestigious international gathering take place at the Middle East's most prestigious address."
The event, which was themed "New York New York", beamed with live entertainment by a jazz group as well as with several other activities, including a raffle for a variety of prizes offered by UDC, Commercialbank and Alfardan Jewellery.
"This event will allow our executives to share their experiences in the hospitably industry and retain Starwood's position as one of the world's largest hotel and leisure companies," said Gerhard Foltin, General Manager of Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel. "The evening was just wonderful, thanks to the efforts of UDC management and staff."
Since its creation, The Pearl-Qatar has been part of several international events, including visits from top investors and government officials from around the world.
The Oyster is a two-story, 3,500 sq. meter state-of-the-art building near the entrance to The Pearl-Qatar. The center showcases the high quality and exceptional design of the island, owing to a large-scale model of The Pearl-Qatar. The Oyster is well equipped with exceptional audio and lighting system to accommodate the development's glitzy multimedia presentations.
The Pearl-Qatar is United Development Company's (UDC) flagship project, a multi-billion dollar man-made island, spanning nearly 4 million sq. meters off the shores of the capital Doha.
During the two-year land reclamation process, 400 hectares of new land were created with a 32 kilometer shoreline, three coves, and navigable canals in addition to numerous other features.
Construction of The Pearl-Qatar has been racing ahead and can be viewed from Doha's waterfront. The island will be home to approximately 40,000 residents by 2011.
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Starwood's annual meeting held at The Pearl-Qatar
- Qatar: Sunday, August 26 - 2007 at 14:13
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The Oyster, the Sales and Marketing Center at The Pearl-Qatar, hosted a gala dinner as part of Starwood's six-day annual meeting held in Doha.
Starwood guests enjoying the dinner at the Oyster.
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Posted by Anne-Birte Stensgaard, Senior News EditorSunday, August 26 - 2007 at 14:13 UAE local time (GMT+4)
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ABOUT THE PEARL-QATAR
The Pearl-Qatar is a multi-billion dollar offshore, Riviera-style man-made island, covering 985 acres of reclaimed land. It is Qatar's first international real estate venture, one of the largest real estate developments in the country and the first to offer freehold and residential rights to international investors. It will create over 32 kilometres of new coastline.
The Pearl-Qatar will eventually house 40,000 residents in an up-scale, multi-cultural residential community which will be a secure and exclusive island retreat bringing the ambience and lifestyle of the Mediterranean to the heart of Arabia.
The four-phase development comprises 12 distinct districts to be developed over five years. The Riviera Arabia themed districts will house three luxury hotels, three marinas, with combined mooring for over 800 boats, and more than 2 million square feet of luxury retail, recreation and restaurant space.
Built 350 meters offshore the West Bay Lagoon area of the country's capital, Doha, the Island will offer an exclusive retreat with easy access to the capital's thriving community.
The Pearl-Qatar is being developed and promoted by United Development Company (UDC), one of Qatar's leading private sector shareholding companies.
ABOUT UNITED DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (UDC)
United Development Company (UDC) is one of the country's leading public shareholding companies. UDC's mission is to identify and invest in long-term projects contributing to Qatar's growth and providing good shareholder value. The company was established in 1999 and has an authorized share capital of QR 1.072 billion (US $294 million), was listed on the Doha Securities Market in June 2003, and is a Gulf Business Top 100 company.
UDC's target areas of interest include: infrastructure, energy-intensive industries, downstream hydrocarbons, real estate, construction and environment-related businesses. UDC established the Qatar Dredging Company (QDC), a joint venture with the State of Qatar and Belgium's Dredging, Environmental & Marine Engineering NV, and formed Qatar Cool, a district cooling company, in partnership with Tabreed of the United Arab Emirates. UDC also partnered with Seef Limited, a joint venture with Qatar Petroleum, to develop a plant to produce linear alkyl benzene (LAB), which is the main feedstock for detergent manufacture. The plant started operations in 2006 with a production capacity of 100,000 tons a year. UDC has also invested in the Gulf Formaldehyde Company as a joint venture partner with Qatar Fertiliser Company (QAFCO) and other Qatari investors. Operations began in 2004.
In November 2005, United Development Company entered into a new joint venture with BESIX NV of Belgium to establish a ready-mix concrete facility, with shareholding split between UDC (32%) and BESIX NV (49%). The remaining shares were acquired by local Qatari investors. Production began in June 2006. On May 31, 2006 UDC entered into a partnership with a Turkish biological wastewater treatment company (Millenya Inc.). Under the terms of this partnership, UDC acquired 60% of Millenya's equity.
United Development Company's latest business partnership was signed on November 28, 2006 when the company concluded a joint venture agreement with Spain's Ronautica S.A. The agreement will see the establishment of Ronautica-Middle East, a Marina Operations and Management Company. UDC will hold a 60 percent stake while Ronautica S.A. will hold the remaining 40 percent in the new firm.
UDC's founders, who at launch held 45% of the shares, are among Qatar's most successful investors and developers. A large number of Qatari and GCC investors are shareholders in UDC.
The Pearl-Qatar is a multi-billion dollar offshore, Riviera-style man-made island, covering 985 acres of reclaimed land. It is Qatar's first international real estate venture, one of the largest real estate developments in the country and the first to offer freehold and residential rights to international investors. It will create over 32 kilometres of new coastline.
The Pearl-Qatar will eventually house 40,000 residents in an up-scale, multi-cultural residential community which will be a secure and exclusive island retreat bringing the ambience and lifestyle of the Mediterranean to the heart of Arabia.
The four-phase development comprises 12 distinct districts to be developed over five years. The Riviera Arabia themed districts will house three luxury hotels, three marinas, with combined mooring for over 800 boats, and more than 2 million square feet of luxury retail, recreation and restaurant space.
Built 350 meters offshore the West Bay Lagoon area of the country's capital, Doha, the Island will offer an exclusive retreat with easy access to the capital's thriving community.
The Pearl-Qatar is being developed and promoted by United Development Company (UDC), one of Qatar's leading private sector shareholding companies.
ABOUT UNITED DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (UDC)
United Development Company (UDC) is one of the country's leading public shareholding companies. UDC's mission is to identify and invest in long-term projects contributing to Qatar's growth and providing good shareholder value. The company was established in 1999 and has an authorized share capital of QR 1.072 billion (US $294 million), was listed on the Doha Securities Market in June 2003, and is a Gulf Business Top 100 company.
UDC's target areas of interest include: infrastructure, energy-intensive industries, downstream hydrocarbons, real estate, construction and environment-related businesses. UDC established the Qatar Dredging Company (QDC), a joint venture with the State of Qatar and Belgium's Dredging, Environmental & Marine Engineering NV, and formed Qatar Cool, a district cooling company, in partnership with Tabreed of the United Arab Emirates. UDC also partnered with Seef Limited, a joint venture with Qatar Petroleum, to develop a plant to produce linear alkyl benzene (LAB), which is the main feedstock for detergent manufacture. The plant started operations in 2006 with a production capacity of 100,000 tons a year. UDC has also invested in the Gulf Formaldehyde Company as a joint venture partner with Qatar Fertiliser Company (QAFCO) and other Qatari investors. Operations began in 2004.
In November 2005, United Development Company entered into a new joint venture with BESIX NV of Belgium to establish a ready-mix concrete facility, with shareholding split between UDC (32%) and BESIX NV (49%). The remaining shares were acquired by local Qatari investors. Production began in June 2006. On May 31, 2006 UDC entered into a partnership with a Turkish biological wastewater treatment company (Millenya Inc.). Under the terms of this partnership, UDC acquired 60% of Millenya's equity.
United Development Company's latest business partnership was signed on November 28, 2006 when the company concluded a joint venture agreement with Spain's Ronautica S.A. The agreement will see the establishment of Ronautica-Middle East, a Marina Operations and Management Company. UDC will hold a 60 percent stake while Ronautica S.A. will hold the remaining 40 percent in the new firm.
UDC's founders, who at launch held 45% of the shares, are among Qatar's most successful investors and developers. A large number of Qatari and GCC investors are shareholders in UDC.
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