The presentation was presented by Steen Jakobsen, Director, Dubai Business Events with the purpose of informing the audience on Dubai's development in international meetings and conventions and how associations can benefit from various opportunities. The presentation was part of Dubai Association Centre Event on Going Global: Prospects for Growth on Sunday, 6th December, 2015 at Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry

1. Steen Jakobsen
Director, Dubai Business Events
Dubai’s Development in
International Meetings and
Conventions

2. Dubai Business Events
• The official convention bureau for Dubai
• Established in 2003
• Division of Dubai Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing
(Dubai Tourism)
• Promote Dubai as host city for association conferences, corporate
meetings and incentives
• Assist and support event planners organize their events in Dubai
• International team of 27 professionals representing 12 nationalities
• Offices in London, New York, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Beijing and Shanghai
• Member of BestCities Global Alliance

3. “Position Dubai as
the world's leading
business event
destination”
VISION STATEMENT

4. BUSINESS EVENTS STRATEGY
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
STRATEGY 2:
To attract international visitors to
business events taking place in Dubai
STRATEGY 3:
To develop new, home-grown business
events to support Dubai’s key scientific
sectors and industry clusters
STRATEGY 1:
To grow Dubai’s market share of
existing, rotating international
meetings, conferences and incentives
RESEARCH
BUSINESS PROGRAMMES
AMBASSADOR
PROGRAMME
SALES & BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT
INCOMING
STUDY MISSIONS
CONVENTION SERVICE VISITOR EXPERIENCE
PARTNERSHIPS &
ALLIANCES
MARKETING &
COMMUNICATIONS

5. UAE VISION 2021: A KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY
EDUCATION
SPACE WATER
HEALTH ENERGY
TRANSPORT
STRATEGIC FOCUS
UAE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION POLICY
BIO-TECH
AVIATION STEM CELL
SOLAR POWER ROBOTICS
SMART CITY

6. EARLY BEGINNING

7. A DIVERSIFIED MARKET
TRADE SHOWS
SELECTED BUSINESS EVENTS
INCENTIVESCORPORATE ASSOCIATIONS
Arab Health
Gulfood
GITEX
Big 5
Arabian Travel Market
World Cong. of Neurology
World Dental Congress
World Diabetes Congress
World Cong. of Cardiology
SPE Annual Conference
Microsoft
CISCO
DHL
Hewlett Packard
Nike
Nu Skin
Amway
Prudential
Jeunesse
Petrobras
• 50 % of all trade exhibitions
• 42 % of all association conferences
• Business visitors account for 21 %

8. STRONG GROWTH
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
ICCA
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
UIA

9. • Strong accessibility
• 140 airlines fly non-stop to 260 destinations
• Emirates fly non-stop to 145+ destinations with 240 aircrafts
• flydubai fly non-stop to 90+ destinations with 50 aircrafts
• Modern infrastructure
• Dubai International is largest airport in the world
• Construction of Al Maktoum Int. to serve 160 Mill. passengers
• Public transportation system (Metro, Tram, Busses etc.)
GROWTH DRIVERS

10. • Purpose-build conference venues
• Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre
• Madinat Jumeirah Conference & Events Centre
• Dubai Festival City Convention Centre
• Un-matched hotel inventory
• 95,000 hotel rooms in all categories
• Additional 15,000 – 20,000 rooms in pipeline
• Special initiative to grow mid-market segment
GROWTH DRIVERS

11. • Professional service providers
• An experienced event industry
• High service levels
• Lots to see and do
• 5,500+ restaurants & cafes and a vibrant night-life
• World-class shopping and spa
• Fun-filled experiential offers
GROWTH DRIVERS

12. • A growing knowledge and business hub
• Free zones and industry clusters
• Dubai Association Centre
• Government policy to develop knowledge economy
• Government support
• Strategic focus to develop and attract business events
• Ease of doing business
• Access to financial support
GROWTH DRIVERS

13. • World’s largest business event
• Takes place from October 2020 to April 2021
• Theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’
• Focus on Sustainability, Mobility and Opportunity
• Expected to attract 25 Million visitors
EXPO 2020

14. • Misconceptions
• Safety & security
• Affordability
• Human rights, especially for women
• Competition from other destinations
• Continuous industry education
CHALLENGES

15. • International association conferences
• Regional association conferences
• Incentive programmes
• Corporate meetings
• Trade shows/exhibitions
OUTLOOK

16. THANK YOU!