Emirate to build on success of record-breaking 2016

Dubai, UAE, February 7, 2017:  Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, a division of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), is this week hosting ibtm arabia, a leading international event for the Arabian meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) industry.

The three days of meetings, seminars and networking opportunities are taking place at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi from February 7th to 9th in a bid to attract more business events and conferences to the capital.

Many high-profile exhibitors are joining ibtm arabia for the first time including, amongst others, Millennium Hotels & Resorts, Jumeirah, The Rezidor Hotel Group and IMG Worlds of Adventure. Returning exhibitor numbers are also growing year-on-year as the event increases in popularity.

The Convention Bureau recorded a record-breaking 2016 making significant strides in attracting business into the emirate by leading and supporting bids to host a number of key In total, the Bureau successfully submitted successful applications along with partners and stakeholders to host 14 conferences expected to attract more than 35,000 delegates – the largest number of conference wins in a year to date. 

Major bids supported and won in 2016 include the hosting of the Special Olympics in 2019, which is expected to attract 10,000 participants, the International Conference in Medicine & the Healthcare Professions – Ottawa Conferences in 2018, and the World Obesity Federation – Gulf Regional Conference on Obesity in 2017.

Other significant bids won in 2016 related to medicine include the 6th Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies, which will attract an estimated 6,000 professionals to Abu Dhabi in 2020 and the WONCA World Conference 2020, which specialises in family health.

Among the key events earmarked for the emirate this year are World Skills – the world’s largest vocational skills competition – which is set to take place in October in Abu Dhabi with 7,000 participants. In December, up to 15,000 members of the global diabetes community will be in the emirate to take part in the International Diabetes Federation 2017 Congress. 

The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has recognised Abu Dhabi’s progress and seen it rise to 73rd position for cities which attract international associations annually – which makes the UAE capital the fastest-growing destination in the Middle East. 

Sultan Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director, Tourism Sector, TCA Abu Dhabi, said: “Following a highly successful year in which we secured winning bids to host major events and conferences while witnessing a significant rise in corporate meetings coming to Abu Dhabi, we now need to continue that positive momentum and attain new heights.

“Our emirate provides a diverse choice of venues, accommodation and attractions which is continually expanding and which delegates at ibtm arabia will be able to discover for themselves. Combined with a record number of visitors last year into the emirate - numbering 4.4 million - we have a fantastic platform to build on as we go forwards.”

The overall agenda of ibtm arabia, now in its 11th year, is deliberately structured to facilitate relationship building, with nine networking events held over the event, beginning with a ‘Discovery Day’ held in partnership with Hala Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways’ destination management company, which allows Hosted Buyers and exhibitors to interact while visiting key attractions such as Heritage Village, the Falcon Hospital and Yas Island. 

Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau is sharing a stand with TCA Abu Dhabi and can be found at D12.