UAE shortlisted for 2011 ICCA World Congress

The UAE is among the three places short-listed to the prestigious gathering of meetings industry decision-makers. If successful, this will be the ICCA's first-ever congress in the entire Middle East. The other destinations short-listed are Pittsburgh (USA) and Leipzig (Germany).

The ICCA is one of the most prominent organizations in the world of international meetings. It is the only association that comprises a membership representing the main specialists in handling, transporting and accommodating international events. With over 850 members in almost 80 countries worldwide, it is certainly the most global organization within the meetings industry.

Both the emirates have an outstanding and ever-expanding Meetings Industry Tourism infrastructure and holding of the ICCA Congress and Exhibition would go a long way in further developing the Meetings, Incentives, Exhibitions and Conferences (MICE) industry in the region.

The ICCA'S 50th Congress in 2001 will coincide with the UAE's 40th anniversary of formation of the federation of seven emirates. A Host Committee has been formed with members from each destination working together with a common goal for this congress - and for many more future projects as well. The 2011 Congress is proposed to be held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai under the theme - A Tale of two Cities - A United Vision".

ADTA officials will be giving a bid follow-up presentation to the ICCA Board Members on March 20 in Frankfurt, Germany.

The 47th ICCA Congress and Exhibition is scheduled to be held in Victoria (Canada) in November, followed by 2009 gathering in Florence (Italy) and 2010 event in Hyderabad (India). ICCA will make the announcement about the selection of the 2011 host city later this month.

According to ICCA officials, the number of ICCA members in the Arabian Gulf and the Middle East region has grown from four in 2000 to 14 in 2007 and it expects to have well over 20 members in the region in 2008. A panel of ICCA members will give an update on the latest developments in the region and how Abu Dhabi and Dubai joined forces to present a strong and unified bid for the ICCA Congress & Exhibition in 2011, at the second edition of Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings (GIBTM) Exhibition in Abu Dhabi on April 10.

The GIBTM is being held with the support of ADTA. The panel speakers are Sue Howarth, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company, Gillian Taylor, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Natasha Tome-Zwarts, Dubai Convention Bureau, and Karen Smith, Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre.