The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has launched a Middle East research, sales and marketing programme to take place in Dubai later this year.
The event will take place from August 25 to 27 and will include educational sessions and workshops for industry suppliers in the region.
ICCA aims to provide a platform whereby meeting professionals can improve their professional skills whilst networking with other suppliers, as well as gaining knowledge on meetings management and the industry.
“The number of ICCA members in the Gulf and the Middle East region has grown from four members in 2000 to 16 in 2007, and we expect to have 25 members in the region in 2008,” said Martin Sirk, CEO, ICCA.
“These members are demanding an education session which guarantees their long term success in the marketplace”.
The ‘ICCA Research, Sales & Marketing Programme’ will help suppliers to improve the way in which they research, identify and approach clients.
ICCA is targeting meetings industry suppliers who are new to the industry or hold a mid-level position in research and/or sales and marketing.
The three-day programme will include sessions on exhibition skills and how to prepare for an exhibition; industry trends; conference market segmentation; co-operation versus competition; and how to win bids.
The programme will also feature a full day of intensive online skills and strategies training using the ICCA association database, divided into topics including case studies; bid strategies and targeting leads.
Dubai Convention Bureau executive director Awadh S. Al Ketbi said the decision to hold the event in Dubai was a positive one for the region’s meetings professionals.
“I think it’s a good commitment by ICCA to the industry in the region,” he told MIME.
“We hope it will be a regional event that we can all capitalize on.”
The event ill be moderated by Rob Davidson, senior lecturer in business travel and tourism at the University of Westminster and one of Europe’s leading academic authority on conference and incentive travel.
“At this very important time for the Gulf and the Middle East region as a booming destination for international conferences, this exciting ICCA programme is a must-attend event for anyone wishing to vastly improve their knowledge of how to attract meetings and incentive business to their venue, their city or their country,” he said.
Registration fees start from US $125 for ICCA members who book early (before July 14) and $100 for ICCA member co-delegates.
Fees for late registration (after July 14) are $150 for ICCA members and $125 for ICCA member co-delegates.
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