Conference demand surging
Posted: 2 July 2003
The corporate conference sector has shone particularly brightly
in the Middle East since its humble origins, according to a leading
executive who has been a trailblazer for the burgeoning industry.
Jessica Sutherland, General Manager of the Institute for International
Research (IIR) in Dubai, reveals that in 1993 the company staged
12 conferences in Dubai — this year the tally will top 300.
And from 430 delegates a decade ago, IIR’s conferences now
host more than 4,000 a year. Year-on-year conference growth is 240
per cent, Sutherland says.
"No matter which way you look at it, the growth is staggering,
but we were always confident and committed to the market,"
says Sutherland.
"Conferences are now a huge growth industry in the Middle
East and I'm proud to say IIR was a major driving force. Dubai is
one of the conference and expo’ hubs of the world."
To celebrate IIR’s 10th anniversary of the opening of the
company's Dubai office, Sutherland this week hosted a lavish birthday
party at the Dusit Dubai attended by a host of clients and VIPs.
IIR’s Dubai office also has a portfolio of nine annual exhibitions
and congresses.
These include Arab health, the largest healthcare exhibition in
the region, Middle East Electricity, the biggest power and electricity
exhibition in the Middle East, Motexha Spring and Motexha Autumn,
the exciting fashion and textiles expo’ series and Pro Audio
Light Middle East (PALME), the only exhibition dedicated to this
industry.
Also in the IIR exhibition portfolio are Hospital Design &
Interiors (HDI), Cityscape, Gulf Traffic and Ambiente.
"Our new Dubai-based division's first exhibitions were staged
in 1995 - Arab Health and Motexha Autumn. These shows occupied combined
space of 13,471 square metres at the Dubai World Trade Centre and
they attracted a touch over 11,000 trade visitors," says Sutherland.
"This year IIR Exhibitions will occupy 32,000 square metres
at Dubai International Exhibition Centre and Airport Expo’
Dubai, with over 50,000 visitors."
IIR was launched in Hong Kong 30 years ago as a newsletter company
and has evolved into a dynamic international operation with a network
spanning more than 30 countries.
IIR is recognised as the world's largest organiser of business
conferences. It is held in equally high regard for its trade exhibitions,
training in the technology field and business information services.
"We have the spectrum covered for today's business needs -
conferences, training, exhibitions and consulting and we are confident
that our success in the Gulf over the past decade is definitely
going to be a recurring theme," adds Sutherland.
Posted by Richard Price,
Editor Pipeline Magazine
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