Tag Archives: Mahir Julfar

Dubai Association Conference (DAC) will return for its third edition on 21 February 2022, with a series of events in the lead up to maximise its impact and create platforms for associations as they explore the future of the sector. The conference will once again be hosted under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council. With the theme ‘Associations and the new world: Resilience & Reinvention’, the conference will take place at the new Dubai Exhibition Centre, within the Expo 2020 Dubai site and in the midst of the six-month global gathering. Ahead of the main conference, a series of three interactive online sessions will take place over the course of the rest of 2021, exploring the key themes of the event and providing an opportunity to ensure the agenda addresses the key concerns and topics delegates may wish to explore. The first of these sessions took place on 15 June. The conference is the flagship event of the Dubai Association Centre (DAC), which was established in 2014 as a joint initiative of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) to support and license regional and international associations in setting up an office or chapter in Dubai. DAC opened its state-of-the-art offices in One Central, DWTC in December 2019, providing a collaborative environment for registered associations. Following the conference, delegates will be offered a full-day immersive visit to Expo 2020 Dubai to experience the thematic and national pavilions, attend celebrations and events, and sample cultures and cuisine from around …

Dubai Association Centre (DAC) is poised to see a strong uplift in new licensed associations through the rest of 2020, having supported its registered associations through the global Covid-19 pandemic. And with the challenges faced globally putting a renewed spotlight on the need for knowledge sharing and collaboration, DAC’s ability to bolster the contribution being made by associations in key professions and sectors to the development of the city’s knowledge economy is set to be more important than ever before. Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said, “We would like to take this opportunity to welcome our newly licensed associations and look forward to seeing them benefit from and contribute to the numerous opportunities Dubai has to offer as a global knowledge and business events hub. We look forward to building relationships with more associations – both from around the world and those already with a presence in Dubai – and to give them a better understanding of the benefits of registering with DAC.” Kazim added, “The ability of the Dubai Association Centre to grow its membership during difficult circumstances is a testament to Dubai’s reputation as a preferred hub for international and professional associations. We are closely watching economic developments and their impact on the emirate’s association sector and exploring new ways that we can support DAC members and help them prepare for a post-Covid-recovery.” Mahir Julfar, Executive Vice President, Venue Services Management, Dubai World Trade Centre, said, “The opening of DAC’s new headquarters in DWTC’s One Central development at the end of 2019 was another important step in fostering a strong association community in the city, providing registered associations with an …

Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau (ADCB), in collaboration with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), hosted the fourth edition of the Middle East International Forum at the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas on Saadiyat Island. The opening of the forum saw a welcome speech from Mubarak Al Shamsi, ADCB Director and ICCA Middle East Chapter Chair, where he welcomed the opportunity to host some of the region’s key players to showcase the importance of collaboration, sustainable development and best practices.  “Meetings and exhibitions have contributed tremendously to the growth and development of Abu Dhabi, the UAE, and the region as a whole,” said Al Shamsi. “This year’s edition has seen discussion from different perspectives and we are now exploring developments and benefits as a result of hosting these conventions. We are also exploring the role bureaus are currently playing for event organisers and local communities, in addition to changes in the market and the constant need for venues to adapt in order to be successful.”  Mahir Julfar, ICCA Board Member and SVP Venues Manager at the Dubai World Trade Center, added, “At the ICCA we have an incredibly active and knowledgeable community. Our members are strong advocates for the development of the meetings industry in the region. We work together with a unified passion to further develop our destinations through the expertise, skills and knowledge exchange opportunities offered by international association meetings. Currently, the ICCA Middle East Chapter has over 50 members from seven countries and four Association Relations Partners, accounting for an 80 per cent growth over the past three years.” This year’s forum has seen an active participation from the United Networks of International Corporate Event …

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has announced another successful year for its consumer and entertainment events as it closes 2018 having hosted over 500,000 visitors across more than 29 events. This shows approximately 7 per cent increase in visitor numbers for the consumer and entertainment events from 2017. Ranging from pop concerts and theatrical productions to consumer shows and sporting events, DWTC’s events calendar has been strategic in the evolution of Dubai as a global business, leisure and entertainment hub. Mahir Julfar, Senior Vice President — Venue Services Management, Dubai World Trade Centre said, “DWTC’s annual consumer and entertainment events calendar has become an important component of our MiCE sector offering as it continues to attract thousands of thrill seekers, super fans, sporting enthusiasts and music lovers from around the world. The number of attendees in 2018 is testament to the strength of this market segment. As we go into the new year, we look forward to contributing to the city’s exciting, multicultural leisure and entertainment offering with an unforgettable line up of events, shows and festivals for the entire family.” Over 420 exhibitors and 45,965 of the region’s pop-culture fans attended the Middle East Film & Comic Con in 2018, immersing themselves in international popular culture, film, TV, sci-fi, animation, manga, comics, collectibles, and more, through a series of talks, meet-and-greets, workshops, live events and an exhibition. Running for the 19th year, Modhesh World, Dubai’s largest indoor family ‘edutainment’ destination, was spread across eight halls over the summer months, featuring a plethora of attractions, experiences, games, shows, contests and workshops. The 22nd edition of Carpet Oasis drew in 24,000 traders and visitors from all over the world to explore …

Emirates Palace has partnered with the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) to launch UAE’s premiere catering company–Emirates Palace Catering by Dubai World Trade Centre (EPC by DWTC). This joint venture is set to elevate the events and catering scene in the capital, offering the best in local and international cuisine. The collaboration will bring a fully integrated, turn-key catering enterprise, both for events at the hotel and off-site. Commenting on the partnership, His Excellency Sultan Dahi Al Hameeri, Managing Director, Emirates Palace Company Owners (EPCO) said, “The collaboration of two such distinguished brands is the answer to the capital’s demand for a catering concept that attends to the needs of our discerning local community and offers traditional cuisine. EPC by DWTC will strive for a level of luxury and distinction that is simply unprecedented in the region”. Mahir Julfar, Senior Vice President–Venue Services Management, DWTC said, “Our partnership with a celebrated brand like the Emirates Palace allows us to tap into the capital’s thriving culinary scene, showcasing our market-leading skills and offering guests events that are most memorable.”