DWTC launches congress management division

Recognising the increasing number of international companies opting to host annual meetings and employee events in the region, in addition to the surge in trade groups choosing to host professional conferences in venues like Dubai, the new division sees significant potential for growth over the next few years.

With a full team of events professionals, supported by the strong internal resources of DWTC, executives at the Group are confident that the new DCM will carve a strong niche for itself in this fast-growing industry.

"The conference and event industry has reached an interesting point in its development in the region and we feel this is the right time to launch a specialist congress management team,"

said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre.

"We recognise that there is rising demand both from organisations looking to bring conferences to popular destinations like Dubai and from professionals looking to attend events here. However, the increased volume of events and people creates some logistical challenges, such as securing hotel rooms and creating a diverse social programme for an increasingly demanding client base."

"By bringing together a specialist congress management team who have strong international and local experience, we are able to help organisers meet these challenges and continue to evolve the meeting industry within the region," concluded Al Marri.

Dubai Congress Management offers a broad range of services, including congress management, financial management, marketing, registration, hotel accommodation, and speaker programme development.

It will also provide support for conference operations and logistics and even put together social programmes for delegates, along with exhibition and event management.

This end-to-end portfolio of services will enable the new business unit to provide both fully outsourced event management - taking total responsibility for clients' meetings and conferences - and also specialist services in traditionally complex areas, such as finding hotel accommodation during the busiest seasons in Dubai.

Even prior to its official launch, the team was selected to support the 31st Asian Racing Conference, the leading trade event for racing administrators, industry participants and enthusiasts, and has also managed conferences on food safety and the marine industry in parallel with DWTC events.

"Dubai Congress Management offers a skilled team with over 40 years of combined experience and plans to play a central role in the development of the conference and meetings industry within Dubai. Both local and international groups are looking to organise events of the highest possible standard in their respective industries, so we envisage strong demand for our services," said Amal Khoury, Congress Manager, Dubai Congress Management.

While a division of DWTC, Dubai Congress Management is already working for a number of independent clients for a range of events in different venues across Dubai. Its flexibility and experience means that the group also looks to support events across the UAE and into the wider region.