Category Archives: Exhibitions

Airport Show Hybrid+ to take place from May 24-26, 2021 will introduce a new digital element to the live, face-to-face event, taking place in DWTC, Dubai. Organisers of the world’s largest annual airport exhibition has unveiled plans to keep the aviation community connected under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group. In the meantime, Airport Show Digital+ on 7-9 December 2020 will give the global community an opportunity to network, learn and engage through a new digital platform. The new digital arm has been designed to strengthen the Show experience and give a unique opportunity to seamlessly connect audiences across the world like never before. The all-inclusive opportunity will help in engaging with the attendees before, during and after the event. His Excellency Mohammed Ahli, Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and CEO of Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans) commented: “The rescheduling and reformatting of Airport Show has been necessary to provide a platform for aviation industry decision-makers and professionals to come together to discuss the most challenging times in aviation history. Dubai is moving fast to pick-up lost grounds as the situation improves and it is important to push forward together globally to share best practices, new technologies and strategies to support rapid recovery.” Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibition Director of Reed Exhibitions Middle East, the organisers of Airport Show said: “Incorporating a new digital platform has enhanced the user experience for both events coming up. The Digital Event in December will offer the opportunity for users to visit Digital Stands, schedule online meetings …

Global Aerospace Summit 2020 commenced in a virtual format and will end today September 29, where industry leaders from across the globe convened online to address the aviation, aerospace, space and defence sectors biggest challenges and opportunities. Hosted by Mubadala Investment Company and EDGE, the Summit will analyse how the aerospace and aviation industries can quickly recover, where efforts must be made to support the regeneration of those sectors and what new prospects are ascending from the new reality the world is facing. Badr Al-Olama, Chairman of the Global Aerospace Summit Advisory Board, and Head of Aerospace, Mubadala commented, “The Global Aerospace Summit is a timely reminder that our sector – more than most – is part of a wider, interconnected global industry built on partnership and collaboration. By sharing ideas and experiences we can overcome the challenges to realise the tremendous opportunities ahead. Mubadala and our Aerospace companies like Strata, Sanad and Yahsat are honoured to play our part in this conversation and share our vision for a dynamic sector built on continued investments in technology, disruptive business models and people.” Khalid Al Breiki, President – Mission Support, EDGE said, “EDGE is proud to host the fifth edition of the Global Aerospace Summit. The platform will enable us to leverage and strengthen our synergies and partnerships with some of the world’s leading aerospace and aviation players, as we seek to highlight the role that advanced technology plays, and will continue to play, in revolutionising the way the sector operates.” Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said “When markets reopen, adaptability will be key and Etihad will be ready. The Global Aerospace Summit is an excellent forum …

TravTalk Middle East will be hosting the first ever virtual exhibition on 23rd and 24th November 2020, connecting 40 selected first come first served basis exhibitors from the Middle East with buyers from across the globe. Gulf Travel Show (GTS) with its proprietary exhibition software will help you recover, rebuild and innovate relationships and products. Although this is a virtual event, our goal is the same as live events- to introduce you to buyers, help grow your brand and build long-term profitable business connections. At TravTalk we have been working more closely with the industry during the pandemic keeping the positive vibes by conducting various trade shows, webinars and online newsletters on a regular basis. This event will be a new venture that would enable you to meet online; in the comfort of your own home or even in the office with buyers that will help you grow your business further.

Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) has announced that the region’s leading business aviation platform, the MEBAA Show, will now take place from February 22-24, 2021 at DWC, Airshow Site. The event was due to take place from 08-10 December 2020 but has been postponed due to concerns related to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak. Ali Alnaqbi, Founding and Executive Chairman of MEBAA said, “We have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 spread over the past few weeks as well as developments on travel restrictions from governments around the world. After very careful consideration of the situation and taking into account invaluable feedback from our exhibitors and stakeholders we believe the decision to postpone the event is in the best interests of the health and safety of our exhibitors, visitors, contractors and staff.” “We understand this news will be disappointing to the business aviation industry; however, we believe that in postponing the show to February 2021 we will be better positioned to deliver a quality event for everyone,” added Alnaqbi. By attending The MEBAA Show, organisations will have the chance to meet business aircraft manufacturers, avionics firms, completion centers, charter companies and aircraft resellers who will display their latest products and services. The MEBAA Show’s upcoming edition will host several new and exciting features including access to hours of content through thought-leadership seminars and workshops along with a pre-arranged meetings program to facilitate connection and networking between visitors and exhibitors. In addition, the brand new Luxury Travel Operators Segment will allow attendees to meet and network with regional and global high-end travel operators.

ILTM events has announced a global virtual solution to bring the industry together before the end of the year. ILTM Cannes has been postponed to 2021. Entitled ILTM World Tour – access all areas, this virtual event is set to unite the entire global community of buyers and suppliers of luxury travel. A new one-off digital opportunity with a creative difference, ILTM World Tour – access all areas will compensate for the postponed ILTM events in 2020 and provide an environment for international luxury travel brands and regional buyer communities to virtually meet to connect and build their businesses. “Whilst we know that virtual events will NEVER replace our love to meet and share stories in person, we know right now that what counts the most is getting business lined up for 2021. We cannot predict the timing of when growth will come back, but we can be ready for whenever it happens.” said Alison Gilmore, ILTM Portfolio Director. Describing how ILTM World Tour was created, Alison Gilmore said, “We have created this one-off event to design a truly global business opportunity for all our ILTM suppliers and buyers and planned it so that we respect all time zones. With a 3-week time frame, everyone can create their own strategy and arrange meetings that will work for them.” “We know that the unprecedented events of 2020 have meant the luxury travel industry has had to adapt their business strategies. With target markets shifting as some borders remain closed, we want the objective of the ILTM World Tour to offer a global proposition to open up opportunities for all participants and be a time to bring people together, uniting through shared …

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is organising the maiden virtual roadshow on August 31, 2020. Beverly Au Yong, Area Director, Singapore Tourism Board, Middle East shares with TTME the importance of connecting the regional stakeholders with Singapore service providers for business and networking purposes. She reiterated that the main objectives of the virtual trade show is to connect local and Singapore based travel stakeholders for business and networking opportunities, Maintain market presence and continue to strengthen their relationship with travel trade partners. The roadshow will focus on outbound travel agents/tour operators from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain while the second one will be focused on MICE intermediaries. Au Yong stated, “The roadshow is part of STB’s regional B2B engagement effort, under the theme #UnitedWeStand with focus on the GCC countries. It aims to provide one-to-one networking and foster business opportunities for the local travel trade stakeholders with Singapore service providers. This platform will also allow the Singapore service providers to share the key initiatives taken by their organisations, under the government’s directive, once the borders are open for international visitors.” She further stated that “the registration will be open for travel trade stakeholders managing outbound travel services from the GCC countries on a first come first service basis. Interested outbound agents will be able to register their interest to meet selected set of Singapore service providers on the registration link published and promoted on TravTalk Middle East B2B platforms. Each agency is allowed a maximum of 2 attendees. The local agents who are able to secure highest number of virtual meetings will also get a chance to win exciting gifts.” It is an opportunity for travel trade professionals …

Singapore Food Festival (SFF) will take on a virtual format this year. Themed “Rediscover the Foodie in You”, SFF 2020 will see more than 25 F&B partners coming onboard to serve up gastronomic experiences for festival goers to enjoy at home. Taking place across two weekends in August (21–23 August and 28–30 August), Singapore’s dining scene will come to life in the form of virtual food tours, live masterclasses and chef collaborations. SFF also encourages the rediscovery of our local cuisine – from the rich depth of foodie traditions to innovative new takes on Singapore cuisine that continue to shape the past, present and future of our food culture. During this challenging period for the F&B industry, SFF 2020 also aims to be a platform for chefs and local F&B businesses to collaborate and showcase their culinary passions and products. Ranita Sundra, Director of Retail and Dining, Singapore Tourism Board (STB), said, “While we are unable to host SFF in its usual form, we are excited about the possibilities that the festival’s very first virtual edition will bring. This year’s programming aims to bundle the joy of feasting with interactive and engaging experiences. We encourage everyone to support our chefs, bartenders and food personalities, while rediscovering the foodie in them through the exciting gastronomic activities we have planned.” Through these virtual tours, audiences will learn more about the history and heritage of the precincts and the food secrets they keep. With SFF going virtual this year, popular mobile app Snapchat will also join in the fun with their launch of an exclusive foodie-themed filter lens that participants can use to record and share their favourite SFF moments. This will be …

Riyadh Travel Fair 2020 has been postponed for the second time in 2020 due to the COVID–19. The Travel Fair is planning to return in 2021, with dates fixed for March 15-18, 2021. The decision was made in the interest of public health and safety by officials at ASAS Exhibitions and Conference Organizing Company, the company responsible for organizing the annual travel fair. Bandar Al-Quraini, General Manager of ASAS Exhibitions and Conference Organizing Company said, “While our travel partners and visiting public were looking extremely forward to another exciting edition of the Riyadh Travel Fair, our concern for public health and safety during this pandemic necessitated its 2nd time postponement.” He added, “We are now planning for the 2021 edition, and look forward to welcoming back all our travel industry partners and public then, once the health and safety of visitors can be fully assured and as always in accordance with Saudi government regulations and advisories.” Riyadh Travel Fair is the largest tourism and travel exhibition in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, attracting visitors and exhibitors from countries in the Middle East and North Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe. The 2020 edition was to see 275 exhibitors representing more than 50 countries participating, with visitors expected to surpass 30,000 during the three-day event.

Reed Travel Exhibitions, the exhibition organisers behind IGTM (International Golf Travel Market) has confirmed that IGTM 2020 (due to take place October 19-22, 2020) at Celtic Manor Wales will now postponed, to 2021. In a statement released by David Todd, Event Manager, IGTM said, “With the current restrictions affecting so many of our key stakeholders whose welfare is our number one priority, we simply cannot recreate the same on-site face to face experiences and meeting quality that we would expect at an IGTM event. After much consideration, we have made the difficult decision to postpone IGTM Wales to 2021.” “We recognise that business has to continue and know how important IGTM is as a meeting place for annual business strategies, so we do not want that opportunity to go to waste. Therefore, as a thank you to the industry’s loyalty over the last 23 years, and for this year only, we’re going virtual and global with IGTM LINKS – and it’s completely free of charge for all delegates. Following research with all of our stakeholders, we’ve had some excellent feedback expressing the need to ‘keep the communication flowing’ and ‘developing digital platforms for destination gathering without having to embark ourselves on fact finding missions’. Our aim is to keep everyone connected at this difficult time for the travel industry and the golf travel community, to be that business support system and help keep our world moving towards 2021,” Todd added. Todd concluded, “IGTM LINKS is not a replacement for IGTM, rather it is a one-off event we have created to keep the industry connected with the obvious opportunity to do business, keep their conversations going, catch up and arrange appointments …

Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre, a spectacular venue developed by Al Hamra Real Estate Development, has been recognised as the first safe MICE (meeting, incentive, convention & event) facility in the region by Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspection and certification services. This certification further underlines the group’s commitment to deliver a safe environment for event organisers and visitors whilst achieving operational excellence in the ‘new normal’. Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre is designed to meet the needs of every event organiser – from gala dinners, product launches, exhibitions, destination weddings, private events and more. Adapting to the new normal, the preventive measures introduced at the venue include, among others, health assessment and screenings of staff and visitors, enhanced health and hygiene practices across the venue including catering, availability of hand sanitisers, enforcing social distancing measures, re-evaluation of timelines to avoid queuing and bottlenecks, the reduction in the venue participant capacity as appropriate and use of hybrid setting to enable participants to engage virtually. Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre was assessed on factors including commitment to the programme; respect for social distancing guidelines; compliance with hygienic practices and measures, as well as surveillance and management of any issues. Meeting these requirements, the world-class facility has been awarded the label by the Bureau for a period of six months.