Category Archives: Exhibitions

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) continues to work towards establishing a strong foothold in the Northern European tourism market. Efforts to draw in more visitors from the region will commence this year with its upcoming participation at the Matka Nordic Travel Fair in Helsinki, Finland. Set to take place from January 15 to 19, 2020, the latest edition marks the second consecutive year that SCTDA will be joining the premier global travel event. In 2020, the Authority will showcase Sharjah’s range of diverse tourism offerings – from world-class hotels to exciting adventures and other fun activities to special packages and promos – which are expected to appeal to the Northern European travellers. The five-day Matka Nordic Travel Fair is the largest travel and tourism exhibition in Northern Europe, an important source market for Sharjah’s tourism sector. More than 50,000 visitors and about 20,000 tourism and travel agencies attend the annual international gathering. H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, said, “As the largest tourism and travel exhibition in Northern Europe, the Matka Nordic Travel Fair is a significant and strategic platform for us at SCTDA to showcase the emirate’s diverse range of tourism products for visitors and companies in the region. Our participation is part of our continuous efforts to raise Sharjah’s profile as a leading destination that attracts all kinds of tourists from all over the world.” Sharjah welcomed more than 578,000 European travellers in 2018, up 24 per cent from 468,034 tourists recorded in 2017. Joining the SCTDA delegates in the global event are the executives of the Sharjah International Airport Authority, Sharjah Expo, Environment and Protected Areas Authority, Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & …

Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) and PCMA have signed a strategic training and partnership agreement at the PCMA Convening Leaders 2020 conference, which was held this week in San Francisco, USA.  As part of the agreement, PCMA will support ADCEB, which is part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), in three key areas, including Convention Services Manager Training (CSM training) for elected event executives from the emirate. The agreement also entails hosting an Abu Dhabi Advisory Summit, which is set to take place later this year, as well as the introduction of a series of educational programmes and membership to help build the knowledge base and event management capabilities within the M!CE industry in Abu Dhabi. Mubarak Al Shamisi, Director of ADCEB, said, “Abu Dhabi is strengthening its industry capabilities to serve the global community of business event strategists, planners and organisers through education and knowledge sharing, and partnering with an esteemed global entity such as PCMA is key to achieving that. We are very excited about this partnership and look forward to the successes it will bring in 2020 and beyond.” Sherrif Karamat, CAE, PCMA President and CEO, said, “Abu Dhabi and PCMA are perfectly aligned as we both recognise that the business events industry can play an instrumental role in economic and social transformation. Abu Dhabi also realises that this requires the development of their most important asset – their citizens and this is where PCMA can bring tremendous value as the global leader in the business events industry.”

Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) revealed the new identity and logo of Manama as the “Capital of Arab Tourism for 2020″ following the announcement that was made during the 22nd session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism. The Kingdom of Bahrain celebrated the beginning of 2020 with a spectacular fireworks show as part of the New Year’s Eve celebratory event organised by the BTEA. BTEA had organised a number of entertainment activities for visitors including a live performance by Majaz Musical Band, a ballet dancer performance on stilts ‘A Dance of Color’, in addition to the breathtaking musical aerial performance by the dancers and acrobats of SONIC as well as the live DJ and drumming with Sonic Snares from the United Kingdom. During the countdown, the identity and logo of Manama were revealed on the side interface of the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, which was shortly followed by a spectacular display of fireworks to mark the occasion.

Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) announced the opening of online registration for exhibitors, media professionals and visitors to participate in the fourth edition of the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference (UMEX) and Simulation and Training Exhibition and Conference (SimTEX) and the accompanying conference. Both are held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and organised by ADNEC in cooperation with the General Command of the Armed Forces, from February 23-25, 2020. The Higher Organising Committee of UMEX and SimTEX exhibitions indicated that all sub-committees are ready for the event a specially set programme, with the aim of achieving the highest levels of excellence for the upcoming edition at all levels. This will be done by building on previous editions’ successes, achieved on regional and international levels, with teams that include distinguished national competencies who will work to prepare and develop events in a manner that benefits the reputation and standing of the UAE. Saeed Al Mansouri, Executive Director of IDEX, a subsidiary of ADNEC, said, “The third edition of UMEX and SimTEX witnessed great success and local and international record turnout, thanks to the directives and support of our wise leadership, and as a result of the exceptional efforts made by ADNEC and its group of companies in cooperation with partners from the public and private sectors, organising committees and media establishments sponsoring the exhibitions and the accompanying conference. At ADNEC, we are always focused on hosting and organising international exhibitions and events that support business tourism sectors identified in the Abu Dhabi plan, that contribute to advancing economic development …

Expo 2020 Dubai has signed AS World Group Ltd (DIFC) as an authorised ticket reseller taking place from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021. Sanjive Khosla, Chief Commercial Officer, Expo 2020 Dubai, and Sajid Barkat, Chief Executive Officer, AS World Group, signed an agreement to this effect at the Expo 2020 Dubai head office. AS World Group is a diversified conglomerate- spanning from event management to strategic consulting and investments – acting as a gateway to Africa and is perfectly equipped to connect Expo 2020 Dubai with key audiences in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Sajid Barkat, Chief Executive Officer, AS World Group, said, “We are very proud and honoured to work with Expo 2020 Dubai as an Authorised Ticket Reseller because we believe that by ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ we can propagate the vision and message of Expo 2020 Dubai globally, with special focus on Africa and the Middle East. We will promote Expo 2020 Dubai with the most flexible packages adapted for all needs of African (and other) delegates. As a true facilitator in Africa, AS World Group is on track to play a crucial role in bringing various countries together at Expo 2020 Dubai through mutual opportunities involving financial investment, technology, culture, arts, science, education and other fields of human endeavour.” Sanjive Khosla, Chief Commercial Officer, Expo 2020 Dubai, said, “We are proud that every country will have its own pavilion for the first time in World Expo history, ensuring all nations, including those from Africa, have a platform to showcase their achievements, ambitions and cultures. Given Dubai’s strategic location at the crossroads between Africa and the rest of the world, we expect many …

Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) roadshow was held from December 1-7, 2019 at Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The delegation was headed by various BTEA officials and includes representatives from the Gulf Air, alongside a number of hotels including Al Bandar Hotel & Resort, Sofitel Zallaq Bahrain Thalassa Sea & Spa, Gulf Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, Rotana Hotels and Novotel Al Dana Resort. The delegation also included representatives from five tourism agencies and destination management companies including Best of Bahrain, Visit Bahrain, Go Bahrain, Mathias Tours and Gosaibi Travels. The roadshow aims to promote Bahrain as a tourist destination to the Russian market and will also portray the Kingdom as an ideal destination for weddings. During the roadshow, the delegation will be meeting with wedding planners, representatives from travel agencies and the media. On this occasion, Dr. Ali Follad, Acting Director of Marketing and Tourism Promotion Directorate at BTEA, commented, “We are working closely with our representative office in Russia to highlight the Kingdom’s position as an attractive location with distinct offerings. During this roadshow, we will be promoting the Kingdom of Bahrain as the ideal destination for tourism by showcasing its unique elements to visitors. We will also be promoting the Kingdom as an ideal destination for hosting weddings and celebrations due to its promising infrastructure and the wide range of wedding services and amenities available. Through this roadshow, we aim to attract investment and increase the number of visitors coming to the Kingdom, further developing the tourism sector and increasing its contribution to the national economy.” Hosting the roadshow comes in line with the BTEA’s strategic outreach programme to promote the tourism brand ‘Ours Yours’ aimed …

The Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub drew high interest from fellow participants and visitors from all over the world at Dubai Airshow 2019. The Aerospace Hub joined the exhibition to highlight its unique edge and features that are vital to the steadily rising aviation industries in Dubai and the UAE. It also showcased its top-notch services and facilities, including a wide range of world-class soft and hard infrastructure to meet the needs of the business aviation and aerospace industry. The capacity of business aviation facilities within MBR Aerospace Hub, which currently handles more than 70 per cent of private jet movements in Dubai, is expected to increase the completion of the new aircraft hangers in 2021. Through MBR Aerospace Hub, industry players and operators will have access to key regional and global markets. Tahnoon Saif, CEO, MBR Aerospace Hub, said, “MBR Aerospace Hub is a global aerospace facility with a fully dedicated commercial strip. At Dubai Airshow, interest in the aerospace hub and its offerings is high. Many visitors are coming to our stand daily to engage with our team and learn more about our value proposition.” The MBR Aerospace Supply Chain Zone with dedicated Supply Chain Building and Suppliers Complex is being built to provide a range of aviation-related services. As one of the leading exhibitors from the UAE this year, MBR Aerospace Hub also highlights how it is creating an ideal and integrated environment with free zone status for the industry.

The Helicopter Company (THC) is participating as a platinum sponsor at Dubai Airshow which was launched at Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai World Central (DWC). The show will be held from November 17-21, 2019 with the prominent presence of major dignitaries from regional and international companies in the field of aviation, tourism, and travel.  On this occasion, Yahya Al Ghoraibi, CEO of THC, said, “We are very pleased with our first distinctive participation at the exhibition as the first local commercial helicopter operator in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We are confident that the establishment of this company is a massive step forward in support of our capacities and efforts to ensure the success of the Kingdom’s initiatives in line with Saudi Vision 2030, through operating commercial helicopter transportation services all over Saudi Arabia, including private air transport services for VIPs, touristic sightseeing tours to explore the Kingdom’s attractions, pilgrimage trips in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, and air ambulance services.” Al Ghoraibi additionally asserted that the exhibition provides a successful platform and a unique opportunity to strengthen relations with international companies and decision-makers. THC stands out at the exhibition as a major Saudi company within the commercial helicopter aviation sector. The company’s CEO and a number of its executives hosted aviation sector investors and businessmen interested in developing the industry in Saudi Arabia, where they discussed potential future partnership opportunities, especially in regards to acquiring world-class helicopter models.

Dubai Airshow 2019 which was officially opened on November 17 is set to welcome 1,288 exhibitors and more than 87,000 trade visitors over the next five days. The event was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces. It was also attended by Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who joined his father for the start of an inaugural tour of the site. Highlighting the importance of the facility’s work, Robert Harward, Middle East Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin, said, “Our biggest investment in the UAE is in its human capital.” Presenting His Highness with a special patch commemorating the launch of the Endeavour Scholarship programme, Thomas J Kallman, President & CEO, Kallman worldwide Inc, said, “Our pavilion is not just about hardware and military equipment. We presented Sheikh Hamdan with a patch to mark our Endeavour Scholarship, whereby four Emirati students and two teachers are being flown to the United States to attend space camp in Huntsville, Alabama. In partnership with the UAE space agency, the students were selected and the patch was created to commemorate that.” Commenting on the official opening, Michele van Akelijen, Managing Director, Aerospace Division, Tarsus Group PLC, said, “It is an honour to welcome Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to officially open this year’s event. We will be having 100 new exhibitors and innovative product launches this year.”

The 38th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) concluded after a record turnout of 2.52 million visitors through the 11-day event, organised by Sharjah Book Authority (SBA). The event witnessed the participation of Nobel laureates, Booker Prize and Oscar winners, along with 2,000 publishers from 81 countries. On November 7, 2019, SIBF set a Guinness World Record for successfully hosting the world’s largest simultaneous book signing ceremony in one location with 1,502 authors from the UAE and beyond signing their own books. To further expand the reach of books in the Middle East and African continents, SBA partnered with Big Bad Wolf Ventures Sdn. Bhd. (BBW) to set-up a regional branch at Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone. Under this new agreement, 1 billion books will be circulated across MEA countries over the next five years to widely introduce the literary products of individual nations to promote cultural exchange and appreciation. Sharjah Ruler allocates AED 4.5 million for purchase of books at SIBF 2019; His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah allocated AED 4.5 million for the acquisition of a selection of titles, brought in by publishers participating in SIBF 2019, to continuously update the emirate’s libraries with valuable reading materials and resources in history, literature, politics, arts, science, technology in Arabic and international languages. HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, said, “SIBF has grown to become one of the top three book fairs in the world, an event that publishers, authors, book lovers, and children wait a whole year to participate in. This 11-day cultural celebration is born out of the vision of HE Sheikh Dr. …