Qatar leads the way

The Qatar MICE Development Institute (QMDI) has broken new ground by launching the first professional training programme for aspiring Qatari meeting professionals in a partnership with Meeting Professionals International (MPI).

Not only is it the first training course of its kind in the region, but the programme will also create the Gulf's first generation of home-grown meetings industry employees.

With massive infrastructure development and increasing global recognition, QMDI is aware that it will need the human talent to support the sector in order to deliver the standards of service demanded by international event planners.

But the difference between Qatar and other booming meetings destinations in the region is that the country has not only recognised the need to bring in a skilled workforce, but to involve local people in the sector's development and give Qataris the opportunity to become part of the meetings industry.

Having more Arab nationals involved in the supply side of the industry will generate greater awareness of the meetings industry in the region and what it means to economic growth.

The success of the initial intake of Qataris will foster long-term plans to open the course to nationals from across the Middle East and expand the home-grown workforce.

QMDI group managing director Matthew Meredith believes it is important for Qataris to take the lead as the industry develops and he hopes that in time, some of the graduates will set up their own event management companies.

Call it social responsibility or call it good business sense, QMDI has taken the lead in an area where the region is woefully lacking and is almost certain to reap the rewards in the long run.

Joe Mortimer is the editor of Meetings Industry Middle East.

RELATED LINK: QMDI launches industry training

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