The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre Celebrates its First Year Anniversary

The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre Celebrates its First Year Anniversary with it’s 101^st Event

Muscat – October 10, 2017 – The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) is pleased to celebrate their first year of business on 10 October 2017. To date, OCEC has hosted 101 events and welcomed over 750,000 visitors who have attended a variety of events and helped to boost the local economy.

OCEC inaugurated the opening of the first phase; 22,000sqm of exhibition space, last year with their first event, Infra Oman organised by Al Nimr Expo. The event was such a success with increased demand that InfraOman is back again to the same venue for the 7^th International Exhibition for Infrastructure & Industrial Projects, marking OCEC’s 101^st event on its first anniversary on 10 October.

Much more is to come, as December will feature OCEC’s first international events with the ACI Airport Exchange 2017 (Conference and Exhibition), bringing the world’s airport community to the Gulf for the largest event in the Airport Council International’s calendar, and just ahead of the anticipated opening of the new Muscat International Airport. This will be closely followed by the second UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture, which places Oman’s rich heritage in the world’s spotlight as over 65 ministers from around the globe have confirmed their attendance.

This is just the beginning for the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, as they have successfully won bids for 11 major regional and international conferences with the support of the local authorities and organisations in Oman such as the Oman Convention Bureau, Oman Air, OAMC, Hotels, Destination Management Companies, Professional Conference Organisers, Omran and various local associations. OCEC is working diligently on international bids for events scheduled as far ahead as 2024.

Trevor McCartney, General Manager of Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, says: “I am delighted to be able to welcome Salim Al Hashmi, General Manager and the team at Al Nimr International Exhibition Organisers back to OCEC and wish them a successful event and we look forward to many more years of collaboration ahead.”

This marks a milestone as OCEC is set to unveil yet another phase that is to launch soon and includes a tiered theatre with 3,200 seats, a 450-seat auditorium, two ballrooms for banquets for up to 1,200 guests, 20 meeting rooms with a capacity of up to 360 delegates, hospitality suites and a VIP pavilion.

The precinct includes a JW Marriott Hotel (five star) linked to the Convention Centre, Crowne Plaza Hotel (four star) which represent 600 hotel rooms in total The OCEC precinct is a key component of Madinat al Irfan – the stunning new urban lifestyle development being developed by Omran (Oman Tourism Development Company), the master developer for OCEC and many other tourism projects in Oman.

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Editor’s Notes

About OCEC

The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre is located in its own fully integrated precinct only four kilometres from Muscat International Airport. The design of the Centre will ensure a flow of the meeting spaces to suit the most discerning conference and exhibition organisers. It also incorporates expansive concourse areas to enable ease of large delegations with floor to ceiling windows overlooking landscaped gardens and water features.

The Centre will feature two tiered auditoriums to seat 3,200 and 456, while the five exhibition halls feature 22,396 square metres of column-free exhibition space. Hall 1 acts as a multi-purpose space for plenary sessions, concerts, performances and gala dinners on a larger scale. Halls 1 & 2 combined can seat over 10,000 seated in theatre-style.

The Centre will also include an additional 20 meeting rooms for 25-360 delegates, a Grand Ballroom to seat up to 1,200 guests, a Junior Ballroom to seat up to 540 guests for a banquet, 10 hospitality suites, and a VIP Pavilion. In total the Centre offers over 55 meeting space options plus a multi-storey car park with a capacity for 4,000 vehicles.

The Precinct will provide the infrastructure necessary to host successful international, regional and local events and is there for the enjoyment of delegates, visitors and the local community. The precinct includes a JW Marriott Hotel (five star) linked to the Convention Centre, Crowne Plaza Hotel (four star). A business park and a retail shopping mall, surrounded by a nature reserve which will be a haven for Oman’s exotic birdlife, together with parklands and a wadi (valley) park, are also part of this picturesque precinct.

About AEG Ogden

AEG Ogden is part of AEG Facilities of the United States, a division of AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company.

AEG Ogden manages venues throughout the Asia Pacific and Middle East, including convention and exhibition centres in Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Kuala Lumpur, Oman, and the ICC Sydney; Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane; and arenas including the Brisbane Entertainment Centre and adjacent Sports Centre, Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Perth Arena, and Dubai Arena (opening December 2018). AEG Ogden is also the owner of National Basketball League (NBL) team, the Sydney Kings. More information aegogden.com

In addition, AEG Facilities operates the Los Angeles Convention Centre, Hawaii Convention Centre, and Puerto Rico Convention Centre. More information aegworldwide.com

About OMRAN
Omran drives investment, growth and development of the rapidly growing tourism and real-estate sectors in the Sultanate of Oman. We are the master developers of major tourism, heritage and urban developments, delivering some of nation’s most iconic destinations. Our projects create unique experiences that benefit the social and economic growth of the Sultanate.

Omran has a diverse portfolio of developments, hospitality assets and joint ventures that span across the Sultanate and contribute to growing the capacity of the Oman’s tourism sector. Our key projects include Madinat Al Irfan Urban Centre; a 7.4 million sqm mixed-use development designed to the best international standards in urban planning and strategically linked to the nearby Muscat International Airport and the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre; the Sultanate’s upcoming flagship business centre. Madinat Al Irfan will generate significant inbound revenues, and through Public Private Partnerships will increase capital retention within the local economy which is estimated to contribute OMR 450-500 million annually to the Sultanate’s GDP upon completion.

We are also the master developers of Mina Sultan Qaboos Waterfront, that is set to be the leading authentic waterfront destination in the region. The project is centered around the timeless scenery of Muttrah’s historic port, fort and mountains. The first phase of the waterfront will be delivered in time for the upcoming global events in the region such as Expo 2020 and the FIFA 2022 World Cup. It will consist of various hospitality, lifestyle, and entertainment, cultural zones as well as residential units that will redefine the experience of Muscat and provide investors with a significant opportunity to participate in a unique and unparalleled marketplace offering.

We develop relationships that create solid foundations for future economic diversification and prosperity of Oman, as well as providing outstanding long-term investment opportunities for private and public sector companies. Omran’s proven track record of delivering tourism projects to a world-class standards is an outcome of our commitment to integrity, transparency and collaboration. By working in partnership with local communities and embracing the unique aspects of Oman’s culture and heritage, we built sustainability into every project while safeguarding the natural beauty of the country for the future generations.

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#OMAN #OCEC #MICE #MICEnews #ConventionCentre #DMC #DestinationMarketing

Leading Destination Management Company, AlliedPRA, now accepts payment of deposits via Meeting Escrow

Leading Destination Management Company, AlliedPRA, now accepts payment of deposits via Meeting Escrow

Meeting Escrow Inc. is proud to announce that AlliedPRA has officially confirmed acceptance of payment via Meeting Escrow’s industry-leading deposit escrow service, setting a new standard in stewardship and fiduciary responsibility for the Destination Management sector of the Meetings Industry.

Denise Dornfeld, Chairperson of AlliedPRA, Inc. states, “In response to an industry need, Meeting Escrow, an independent, reputable third party has responded with a viable solution.  While AlliedPRA prides itself on its stable financial history, this optional service ensures that all parties involved are financially protected with an agreed upon timeline for disbursement of funds.  This extra layer of insurance is a differentiator for Destination Management Companies and AlliedPRA is pleased to accept payments via Meeting Escrow to respond to clients’ needs”.

Grant Snider, Meeting Escrow President & CEO adds, “This is an exciting development for our company. As more and more clients adopt Meeting Escrow to facilitate their meetings budget cash management and deposit processes and include it in their RFP requirements, it is important that vendors understand how it works and what the benefits are. We are proud to have AlliedPRA on board to accept deposit payment via Meeting Escrow.”

Meeting Escrow was founded by Grant Snider in early 2015 to bridge a gap in the marketplace between buyers and sellers of Meetings Industry services. Both parties sign an escrow contract with Meeting Escrow for the total amount to be protected. Funds are wire transferred by the buyer directly to a distinct, uniquely identified Meeting Escrow bank account to the benefit of the supplier-partner and then the individual deposit payments are wire transferred out per the deposit payment schedule in the contract. Client funds are secure and fully protected and supplier-partners are paid on time.  In addition, escrowed deposits can be held in US dollars, Euros, Canadian dollars and 17 other foreign currencies, thereby shielding clients from exchange rate fluctuations. Meeting Escrow Inc. holds $5 million in liability coverage, underwritten by Lloyds.

Grant Snider brings lifelong Meetings Industry experience and an indisputable reputation as a person of integrity and trust to Meeting Escrow. Following an early career in the hotel industry, Snider moved to the destination services sector eventually becoming co-owner of JPdL, Canada’s largest DMC. He sold his stake in the company in 2014. Over the years he has served in a variety of leadership positions in meetings industry associations such as ADMEI, SITE and FICP.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Business Events Industry Coalition of Canada.

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR OVATION’S 2015 HUGGABILITY AWARD

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR OVATION’S 2015 HUGGABILITY AWARD

Now in its seventh year, Ovation’s annual Huggability Award has seen the great and the good of the international MICE industry recognised not only for their achievements, but for their personality, their attitude and their downright loveliness!

Nominations are now open to find a worthy and huggable successor to the 2014 Huggability Award winner Chris Baker.

“Chris took home the huggability crown last year due to his ability to get the job done no matter where the credit goes. Like any good destination expert, he exudes an unwavering passion for his home city of Chicago and always acts as an avid ambassador for the city. It will be a tough task this year to find someone as passionate, welcoming and huggable as Chris,” commented Aoife Delaney, Director of Global Sales at Ovation Global DMC.

As always, Ovation Bear will be sharing the nominations received for the 2015 award as soon as they are received. Keep an eye on the nominations board to see who is in the running to be crowned Most Huggable Person 2015.

Among the early nominations received are;
Kevin Hinton (Site Global)
Miha Kovacic (Slovenia Convention Bureau)
Ray Bloom (IMEX Group)
John Callely (Teeling Whiskey)
Nominations can be made before October 5th 2015 here and the winner will be unveiled at 11 am on Wednesday October 14th at Ovation’s IMEX America stand 2227.

Ovation Global DMC
Ovation Global DMC (www.ovationdmc.com), the Destination Services division of MCI, is a leading network of Destination Management Companies offering best-in-class DMC services to associations, corporations and agencies at over 100 locations across five continents. With its network of strategic partners and its alliance with the DMC Network (www.dmcnetwork.com), Ovation offers services in all major meetings destinations globally.

For further information contact;
Ian Hemmingway
Marketing & PR Manager

Ovation Global DMC
Tel: +353 1 2802641
ian.hemmingway@ovationdmc.com
www.ovationdmc.com

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS SET TO BOOST MICE MARKET IN AFRICA

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS SET TO BOOST MICE MARKET IN AFRICA

Press Release: 7th January 2014 – BTM Africa (www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica) confirms significant international buyer interest for first event set to take place from 28-30 April 2014

The rapidly growing demand for meetings industry suppliers within Africa, has been reflected in the unprecedented interest witnessed from International Hosted Buyers applying to attend the first IBTM Africa, (www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica) set to take place in Cape Town, South Africa.

David Dodgeon, Green Route, who will attend IBTM Africa with a group of qualified international buyers commented, “Trade shows are one of the most effective ways of obtaining and securing new business. We have supported EIBTM, the flagship event of the IBTM Global Events Portfolio since the early days and we are very pleased to be bringing a group of 16 International Buyers to their new show set to launch in Africa.

“Africa provides a perfect meetings industry destination for a number of reasons. The continent offers a huge contrast in terms of culture and history and is well situated in terms of flight routes and global access. The table-top format which IBTM Africa will offer, will allow us to spend quality one-to-one time with potential clients.”

Part of Reed Travel Exhibitions’ Africa Travel Week, IBTM Africa will reflect the core values of the IBTM Global Events Portfolio providing one-to-one business appointments, education and networking over an exclusive tabletop format.

IBTM Africa will match 50 regional exhibitors through a pre-scheduled appointment system with 50 qualified Hosted Buyers from Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, all of whom will have proven purchasing power and guaranteed business to place in Africa.

Shinu Pillai, Project Manager, Reed Travel Exhibitions, IBTM Africa commented, “We are extremely excited about the launch of IBTM Africa within our IBTM Global Events Portfolio. Africa is emerging rapidly as a destination of choice when it comes to hosting meetings and incentives, with many global associations looking to include Africa in their rotation patterns.”

IBTM Africa will provide the opportunity for 50 African and Indian Ocean suppliers including Hotels and Venues, National/State Tourism Organisations and Convention Bureaux, Travel Management Companies, Destination Management Companies, Event Management Companies, Professional Conference Organisers, Airlines, Technology, Business Travel and MICE related suppliers to showcase their products to an international audience of Hosted Buyers attending.

Pillai concludes, “ As the world’s largest organiser for meetings and incentive exhibitions, we are committed to providing all of our attendees with the best level of return on investment for their participation. Each international Hosted Buyer attending will participate in a minimum of 36 pre-scheduled business appointments, which will ensure that every supplier attending will achieve a significant amount of opportunities to showcase their products to an international audience.”

For further information, please see www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica. For further Africa Travel Week information, please see www.africatravelweek.com.