World Petroleum Council announces QNCC as official venue for 2011 congress

The WPC states that when hosting the triennial World Petroleum Congress, a world class congress providing first class organization and first class content are not the only goals on their list of objectives.

The intention of the World Petroleum Congress is not only to promote the progress of the global oil and gas industry but to leave a positive effect on the local community of the host country and a long lasting legacy for its environment and that is exactly Qatar Petroleum's mission as local host committee for 2011.

Mr. Abdulreda Nayroze Abdulla Hassan, Qatar Petroleum Lead Coordinator for 20th World Petroleum Congress said the congress is expected to attract in excess of 5,000 international delegates and the space requirements were one of the primary components when choosing the host venue.

The event requires no less than 40,000 sqm of exhibition space, numerous meeting rooms and sessions plus an opening and closing ceremony of 4,000 plus participants.

Qatar was selected as host country for the 20th World Petroleum Congress by the WPC Council in a secret electronic ballot vote in 2007, four years prior to the scheduled event. Each member country receives one vote and can cast it for one of the nominated candidate countries after their year-long campaign. The official handover took place at the end of the 19th World Petroleum Congress in Madrid in July 2008. Other host cities that have previously held this event include Johannesburg, Beijing, London, New York, Paris and Rome.

Expecting to attract in excess of 5,000 international delegates and needing up to 40,000 sqm of exhibition space, numerous meeting rooms and sessions plus an opening and closing ceremony of 4,000 plus participants, the space requirements are one of the primary components when choosing the host venue.

Prior to the announcement, Qatar Foundation's Mr Ahmed Al Hajjaji welcomed the WPC Executive Committee members before showing a presentation on the Centre's capabilities and conducting an extensive site inspection of the Qatar National Convention Centre. The Committee members commented on the spectacular nature of the building and were particularly impressed that the Centre's design would achieve a minimum of Gold Certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Leed) Green Building Rating System and the construction progress to date.

General Manager for the Qatar National Convention Centre, Mr Paul D'Arcy said it was a significant milestone to win one of the world's highest profile events to be held in their opening year.

"It was extremely satisfying to hear the added confidence of the WPC Executive committee on learning that the Centre is managed by international operator, AEG Ogden and is a member of the Qatar Foundation. We have been working closely with Qatar Petroleum and representatives from WPC for the past two years. In fact, our Project Logistics Manager, Ms Ingrid Keates joined Qatar Petroleum's Head of Conferences & Exhibition/Public Relations Department, Mr Ossama El-Buy at last year's congress in Madrid to gain valuable insight and knowledge into the day to day running of the event,"

remarked Mr D'Arcy.

The World Petroleum Congress is the first of many conventions and exhibitions that QNCC have in their sights and expect to announce between now and opening in 2011.