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

Oman wins the bid to host the World Cancer Congress in 2020

Oman wins the bid to host the World Cancer Congress in 2020
Oman to welcome the 2020 World Cancer Congress, including up to 4,000 cancer control experts from more than 140 countries

Muscat, 11 May 2017: The Oman Cancer Association announces that Muscat has been selected to host the World Cancer Congress (WCC) in 2020. The World Cancer Congress is a major international cancer control forum which convenes up to 4,000 renowned cancer and health professionals to network and share the latest successful interventions in cancer implementation science including prevention, diagnosis and care, as well as supportive and palliative care. Held every two years, the Congress is hosted by a local member of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), and for the first time since the event’s inception in 1933, it will take place in the Arabian Gulf.

The Oman Cancer Association, the National Oncology Centre at the Royal Hospital Muscat, both members of UICC, as well as the Oman Convention Bureau and the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) joined forces to submit a complete and high quality application which resulted in them winning over strong international competition.

Professor Sanchia Aranda, President of UICC, said: “After an extensive evaluation and review of the submitted bids, we are pleased to announce that the city of Muscat, Oman, has been selected to host the 2020 World Cancer Congress and the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit. We appreciate that such bids involve considerable work, and we thank our members and the other applicants for their enthusiasm and commitment to organising such important global cancer control events in the region, in collaboration with UICC.”

The bid was submitted by Dr. Wahid Al Kharusi, FRCS, President of Oman Cancer Association, Dr. Basem Al Bahrani, Director and Dr. Zahid Al Mandhari, FRCPC, Deputy Director, National Oncology Centre, with the support of HE Dr Ahmed Mohammed Obaid Al Saidi, Minister of Health of the Sultanate of Oman.

“The World Cancer Congress aims to strengthen the action and impact of the cancer and the wider health community on national, regional and international levels through a multidisciplinary educational programme and high-calibre attendees,” said Dr. Wahid Al Kharusi.

“Hence the theme of our bid: ‘Shed Some Light and Make a Difference’. Moreover, the World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that incidence of cancer in the Middle East will double by 2030, so felt it was crucial to keep raising awareness of the disease, especially across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC) and Africa. Welcoming the WCC in Oman will certainly foster our work to educate the local population, and help the global cancer community to further make a difference,” added Dr. Zahid Al Mandhari.

Khalid Al Zadjali, Director of Oman Convention Bureau, commented, “This is a great success story for Oman and the new Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre as it demonstrates that our country is a strong contender when it comes to securing international events. The WCC is a key global forum for knowledge exchange around cancer and hosting it in Muscat will benefit not only Oman but the entire region. Oman has so much to offer, ranging from a brand new world class convention & exhibition centre to attractive hotels, easy access to places of interest and a brand new airport. In addition, the government is very supportive of the initiative, and traditionally Omanis are very hospitable.”

Trevor McCartney, General Manager of OCEC, stated, “We are very excited to host such a renowned international event at the Oman Conference Convention & Exhibition Centre, winning against other international cities and venues. We now join the ranks of well-established Business Events destinations such as Kuala Lumpur and Paris in the list of host cities for the WCC.”

The Oman Convention Bureau and the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre will attend IMEX in Frankfurt, Germany from 16 to 18 May.

 

#Oman #OmanCancerAssociation #WorldHealthOrganization

OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE ANNOUNCES AUGUST OPENING DURING IMEX FRANKFURT 2016

OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE ANNOUNCES AUGUST OPENING DURING IMEX FRANKFURT 2016

 

Muscat, April 20^th 2016 – Showcasing the tremendous possibilities of Oman as a destination and the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) as the world’s convention venue of choice, the OCEC, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, participated at premier events industry exhibition; IMEX Frankfurt 2016. At the influential event, the Ministry of Tourism and the OCEC held a media conference to officially announce the highly anticipated opening of OCEC Phase One on 15^thAugust, 2016 and the launch of the Oman Convention Bureau, created to provide regulatory assistance for business tourism in Oman and spearhead growth of the emerging industry.

Commenting on both announcements, Her Excellency Maitha Al Mahrouqi, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism said: “A unique and irresistible country with delegate appeal in abundance, Oman is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the world’s most exciting meeting, convention, and exhibition destinations with the catalyst being the nation’s pillar project, the OCEC. IMEX Frankfurt 2016 is a valuable opportunity to present the formidable array of assets that make Oman such a dynamic meetings environment and to introduce the Oman Convention Bureau and its diverse services to the global events industry.”

Outlining the strengths that make Oman an oasis of opportunity, Her Excellency highlighted the Sultanate’s robust economy, flourishing enterprise culture, immense intellectual capital, reputation as one of the world’s safest and most tranquil destinations, and its youthful and ambitious multi-cultural population. She also pointed out the Sultanate’s wealth of natural assets including an enviable location at the nexus of East-West trade routes, stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture and heritage. The Under Secretary went on to emphasise the investment that has been made in infrastructure to support Oman’s business tourism, including the redevelopment and expansion of Muscat and Salalah International Airports; the construction of new regional airports in Duqm and Sohar; the expansion of Oman’s Air’s network route; the establishment of new budget carrier Salam Air; and the construction of many new hotels.

Trevor McCartney OCEC General Manager added: “The OCEC is ready for business and we can’t wait to meet the world! With our Phase I facilities coming online on 15^thof August 2016, we are set to impress with 22,000 superb square metres of flexible column free exhibition space and ten state-of-the-art hospitality suites supported by a full service kitchen, staffed by expert chefs. On top of that, the purpose built OCEC Precinct is just four kilometres and ten minutes’ drive from Muscat International Airport, conveniently located close to the myriad of cultural attractions in Muscat, and within easy reach of an array of luxury hotels and resorts, stunning beaches, mountains, desert and wadis – ideal for sightseeing and a host of outdoor activities.”

McCartney added, “IMEX Frankfurt 2016 was a great platform that helped us nurture global networking opportunities with potential clients interested in bringing their business to Oman and the OCEC as one of the world’s most compelling events destinations.”

While participating at IMEX Frankfurt 2016, the OCEC engaged in a series of pre-scheduled appointments with high profile organisations and professional associations from sectors pivotal to Oman’s economic diversification strategy. To find out more about the OCEC, please go to: www.omanconvention.com.

THE OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE TEAM KICKS OFF THE NEW YEAR AT PCMA CONVENING LEADERS IN CANADA

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THE OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE TEAM KICKS OFF THE NEW YEAR AT PCMA CONVENING LEADERS IN CANADA

Muscat, January 12th 2016 – The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre’s (OCEC) international promotional campaign continued in 2016 by participating in the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Convening Leaders held in Vancouver, Canada. During this highly influential event, the OCEC Team connected with key decision-makers and meeting planners and shared the tremendous possibilities of Oman as an emerging destination and the OCEC as the region’s business events hub.

“The OCEC has a unique partnership with PCMA and the development of strong relationships with professional associations is one of the cornerstones of our business development plan,” said Trevor McCartney, the OCEC General Manager. “We were able to leverage existing links and create new connections with associations representing some of the key industries for Oman’s 2020 economic diversification strategy. It was also a great opportunity to update the PCMA Oman International Advisory Board on the final preparations for our fast approaching launch in September 2016.”

The OCEC General Manager went on to explain that there is a great deal of interest in the business events industry in Oman as a country and the OCEC as a venue. According to McCartney, various elements prompting that interest include the Centre’s phenomenal facilities, the Sultanate’s outstanding natural assets, as well as the incredible wealth of intellectual capital in a variety of sectors and the opportunities of knowledge exchange it offers.

Richard L. Baltimore III, Adviser to the Omran Board of Directors, the Sultanate’s master developer of the OCEC, commented that “Networking among this prime concentration of over 4,000 senior international business meeting industry leaders afforded a prime opportunity to introduce and promote the Sultanate of Oman as a serious contender within the growing global convention and business events industry. Although less well known than some other established destinations, I found both North American and other attendees to be very receptive to representations about the historical richness and uniqueness of Oman and its people. Indeed, the OCEC will herald a wide range of new opportunities and serve as an ideal vehicle to showcase the Sultanate’s immense intellectual capital, while acting as a catalyst to promote economic growth, research innovation and entrepreneurship.”

In addition to various meetings with industry representatives from around the world, the OCEC Team also met with Arne Sorenson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Marriott International. The company recently acquired Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, creating the world’s largest hotel combined company with 1.1 million rooms in more than 5,500 hotels in over 100 countries. The new five-star hotel, situated at the heart of the OCEC precinct will be operated under the JW Marriott brand.

With more than 6,500 members and 50,000 customers, PCMA is the world’s leading organisation and definitive authority for meetings and event professionals. In 2014, the OCEC signed a strategic partnership agreement with PCMA and a group of 13 influential, international buyers visited Oman to experience the destination first-hand and participate in the inaugural PCMA Oman Advisory Summit- the first Green Field destination outside of North America to stage such a summit. A second PCMA Oman Advisory Summit will take place at the OCEC in September 2016.

TWIN WIN FOR OCEC AS IT ANNOUNCES SUCCESSFUL BIDS

TWIN WIN FOR OCEC AS IT ANNOUNCES SUCCESSFUL BIDS AND MAIDEN CONFERENCE FOR PHASE TWO OF THE LANDMARK VENUE

Muscat, November 26th, 2015 – The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) has scooped a twin win, being awarded the bid to host the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) Regionals – Fourth Middle East & Africa Osteoporosis Meeting in 2017 and the Sixth IOF Regionals in 2021.

Announcing the successful win of the conference and noting its importance for the OCEC, Trevor McCartney, the OCEC General Manager commented, “With the completion of Phase Two, comprising two tiered auditoriums, 13 meeting rooms and the Grand and Junior Ballrooms, the OCEC will be able to host conferences, as well as exhibitions, meetings, gala dinners and live events. This will launch a new and exciting phase in Oman’s business events industry, creating wide-ranging contributions towards the economic diversification and development of the Sultanate.”

The OCEC has attracted enormous interest and currently has 22 international, regional and national exhibitions and conventions in its forward calendar. In its seven year forecast, the OCEC expects to host almost 450 events by 2022 and welcome thousands of visitors a year.

According to Judy Stenmark, IOF CEO, the OCEC had been a stand out choice for the IOF for a number of reasons, “The IOF Regionals Middle East and Africa Osteoporosis Meeting is a key event in the calendar for the bone, muscle and joint community. It is the leading educational and research forum for osteoporosis and related diseases in the region and we are committed to delivering the highest quality scientific content, as well as optimising the overall delegate experience. The venue plays a central role in the success of the meeting and the OCEC provides exceptional facilities. What is more, it is backed by an expert and experienced team of professionals who understand the specific needs of congresses such as ours. Oman itself was a factor in our decision – it is a central and well-connected location for our delegates, has a growing reputation as a medical hub and, of course, it is a wonderful country to visit.”

IOF Regionals Fourth Middle East & Africa Osteoporosis Meeting will be held 7-9 December 2017. Expected to attract more than 1,000 delegates, the IOF Congress is a leading bone event in the Middle East and Africa and the leading educational and research forum for osteoporosis and related diseases. Dedicated to motivating people to take action to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease, it attracts regional and international experts and promotes an increasing awareness and understanding of osteoporosis.

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OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE LAUNCHES “OMAN – AN OASIS OF OPPORTUNITY” AT IBTM 2015

OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE LAUNCHES “OMAN – AN OASIS OF OPPORTUNITY” AT IBTM 2015

Muscat, November 2015 – With the lead up to the opening in 2016, the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) Team strengthened the Sultanate’s reputation as an emerging global economy and an oasis of opportunity at IBTM World in Barcelona.

Oman is an exciting place to be. The Omani travel and tourism sector is a vital contributor to the economy with visitor numbers increasing by 23.8 per recent over the last few years and, this will grow further and faster with significant new projects such as the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre coming on line.

OCEC’s Director of Business Development Gillian Taylor unveiled the latest collaborative initiative to more than 30 world media and met with 80 potential decision makers, on the importance of the business events industry to the nation’s economy in line with the Sultanate’s Vision 2020. Launching “Oman – an Oasis of Opportunity” as one of the world’s Intellectual Capitals showcased the government approach and why the Sultanate has led the Arabian Gulf countries in terms of the strongest worldwide growth rates in 2014.

“Oman has a thriving business community with a flourishing culture of entrepreneurship that benefits from strong government support and encouragement. The Sultanate’s competitive edge is further strengthened by its burgeoning reputation for academic excellence and leadership in research and innovation, as well as its future-forward approach to knowledge exchange,” Ms Taylor said.

In support of this collaborative initiative, Salim Al Maamari, Director General of Tourism Promotion for the Ministry of Tourism said, “The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre is a very important investment for Oman. We have believed for a long-time that the new Centre can develop tourism and, through conventions, we can diversify our economy and help it grow.”

The OCEC participated at IBTM World 2015 with the Ministry of Tourism, Oman Air, UBAR Conferences & Events, plus other partners to meet with potential clients, international associations and professional conference organisers to discuss future business opportunities. Bringing together over 15,000 decision makers and industry professionals, the event is a key fixture in the global events industry calendar.

THE OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE ATTRACTS OVER 3,400 JOB APPLICATIONS

THE OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE ATTRACTS OVER 3,400 JOB APPLICATIONS

Muscat, August 6 2015: Following its third and final international recruitment drive for the year 2015, the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) has received over 3,400 applications – its largest response to date. The aim of the drive was to fill almost 50 employment opportunities in various fields such as events, operations and food and beverage, as the Centre prepares to launch a new and exciting era for Oman’s business events industry.

“The response to this third recruitment drive has been impressive, not just in terms of the interest it has generated and the number of applicants it has produced, but also in terms of the quality of the applications we have received,” said Trevor McCartney, the OCEC General Manager.

McCartney added, “While job creation for Omani nationals is a priority for the OCEC, all appointments will be made on individual merit and successful applicants will have the satisfaction of knowing they have earned their position in the face of tough international competition.”

Over the next 15 years the OCEC and its surrounding precinct will be responsible for the creation of up to 24,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing up to OMR240 million to the national economy. It is also expected that the OCEC will spur the creation and growth of Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with design and print, transportation, food and beverage, event management, security and IT services directed towards Omani businesses.

The employment campaign was promoted in domestic and international media, as well as across several online platforms including OCEC’s social media channels, leading international job-site Naukri and at Sultan Qaboos University, the National Hospitality Institute and the Oman Tourism College. The campaign attracted more than 7,000 views on the OCEC website – omanconvention.com and in excess of 20,000 on Naukri.

OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE CATALYST FOR THE SULTANATE’S FOCUS ON BUSINESS EVENTS

OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE CATALYST FOR THE SULTANATE’S FOCUS ON BUSINESS EVENTS

Muscat, 24th February 2015 – The Sultanate of Oman is enjoying record visitation from Australia and New Zealand due to its positioning as a multifaceted destination with serious delegate appeal. This interest is being propelled by the new world-class Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre opening in 2016.

Contributing to this record increase, Oman has already attracted significant events from high achiever incentive programs from Australia such as Mercedes Benz and News Ltd.

The Sultanate of Oman’s Ministry of Tourism Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Ms Mona Tannous, said that in 2011-2012 Oman achieved a staggering 72% increase in visitations from Australia and New Zealand, followed by 11% in 2012-2013 and 10% in 2013-2014, as a result exceeding those from European countries.

“We often talk about Oman being the best-kept secret in Arabia. But clients keep telling us that Oman’s unique natural beauty, heritage and culture combined with the renowned warmth and hospitality of Omani people makes Oman the best-kept tourism secret on the planet,” Ms Tannous said.

With more than 10,500 hotel rooms available in Muscat by 2018, the opening of the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) is the catalyst for major business events in the Sultanate.

OCEC’s venue manager AEG Ogden agrees that their marketing efforts over the past three years have gained traction with Oman now being seriously considered as one of the world’s most exciting emerging convention destinations.

AEG Ogden’s Group Manager Convention Sales Development, Ms Rochelle Uechtritz said,”with numerous convention bids in the pipeline as far ahead as 2021, the operations team will ensure that each and every delegate will experience a special blend of traditional Omani hospitality.”

“The OCEC executive management team is headed by our General Manager, Trevor McCartney, who has more than 20 years experience that includes venue pre-openings in the Middle East, Asia and UK. The key positions of Director of Operations, Head of Events, Director of Food & Beverage and the Executive Chef all possess extensive global operational expertise, most recently from within our own network of venues.”

“We have also been extremely fortunate to have appointed several highly skilled Omani professionals and are working towards recruiting and training a workforce of more than 160 full-time staff by the end of 2015, of which 60% will be Omanis,” Ms Uechtritz added.

OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE TEAM CONTINUES TO EXPAND AS OPENING DAY NEARS

OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE TEAM CONTINUES TO EXPAND AS OPENING DAY NEARS

Muscat, 2nd February 2015 – A number of senior executives have been appointed to the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre team in preparation for the venue opening its doors to the world in 2016. OCEC General Manager, Trevor McCartney said the Sultanate of Oman was fast becoming recognized as one of the world’s most exciting emerging convention destinations, with the venue being the catalyst in attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors from next year. He said to assist in meeting the demands of business meeting organisers worldwide, the OCEC had expanded its Business Development, Technical, Finance and Food and Beverage teams. The new appointments include Chanaka Fonseka as Food and Beverage Director; Troy Reynolds as Head of Event Operations; Sheikha Al Mugheiry as International Business Development Manager; Thomas Joseph as Business Development Manager for Exhibitions; Derek Wilson as Audio Visual and Production Manager; Pieter du Plooy as Systems Administrator; and Mohammed Waheed Al Lawati as an Executive Assistant. Mr. McCartney said as it approached its grand opening in early 2016, the Centre’s priority would be to grow  awareness and interest in Oman as a serious contender for hosting large scale conventions and exhibitions. “A key part of that strategy will be recruiting staff with expertise in specific areas as well as nurturing and developing the local talent pool,” he said. Chanaka Fonseka is an internationally experienced executive specialising in food and beverage operations. Chanaka is already part of the AEG Ogden family and has undertaken a number of leadership roles in his career in the hospitality industry. Troy Reynolds, a Certified Meeting Professional of the Convention Industry Council, brings over 25 years of experience in the events and hospitality industry. His brings to the venue a passion for delivering remarkable meeting experiences which in turn leave an enduring impact on the local community and economy. With six years in the local Five Star hospitality industry, Sheikha Al Mugheiry‘s experience within the international and regional market place will be critical to the OCEC’s relationship with the Omani community and in attracting major international conventions to Oman. Ms. Al Mugheiry said it was a privilege to be a part of such a landmark development and being able to showcase the beauty that Oman has to offer the world. “The OCEC is a key opportunity for young Omanis to be exposed to a thriving business events environment and advance themselves professionally, through the highest standards of training from an international venue operator, such as AEG Ogden, “she said. Thomas Joseph has spent almost a decade in the local exhibition, business and live events industry, and will utilise these skills and his knowledge of the regional market to increase the Sultanate’s market share in this competitive arena. Derek Wilson joins the OCEC with over 30 years of experience in providing technical services to the exhibition and events industry at some of Great Britain’s foremost convention centres and global events, including a managerial position at the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Pieter du Plooy has developed an extensive knowledge base on business systems analysis over the past 25 years, working closely with unique, industry-specific software to provide a single solution to the fully-integrated management of the events and meetings marketplace. Mohammed Waheed Al Lawati brings to the OCEC a range of marketing and entrepreneurship skills. He has previously been involved in a number of large scale national projects and previously served in a pivotal role with Injaz Oman, which is part of the internationally renowned Junior Achievement Worldwide organisation. Mr. McCartney said the OCEC would continue its local and international recruitment drive with the aim of having more than 180 full-time staff by the end of this year.

OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE SHOWCASES

OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE SHOWCASES PROWESS TO OVER 15,000 INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AT EIBTM 2014

Muscat, December 2nd 2014 – In its latest bid to present itself as the upcoming international venue of choice, the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) demonstrated its capability to host large-scale global events at the European Incentive Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (EIBTM) held recently in Barcelona, Spain.

Coming hot on the heels of OCEC’s successful European Roadshow in London, Paris, Geneva and Brussels, EIBTM is one of the foremost global business travel industry gatherings, bringing together approximately 15,000 professionals from the convention and exhibition sector.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, the OCEC team highlighted the versatile appeal of Oman and the Centre to representatives from the educational, healthcare, commerce, industry, agriculture and financial sectors. OCEC’s participation at EIBTM aimed to build relationships and grow business opportunities with industry leaders to expand their knowledge base by meeting face-to-face with more than 30 top-level meeting planners and buyers from the across the globe.

“The energy at EIBTM was nothing short of infectious. It was remarkable to see influential decision makers from across the industry share our enthusiasm about this landmark project, as we presented our strong case as to why OCEC is the international venue of choice and what makes Oman so special,” said Gillian Taylor, Director of Business Development at OCEC.

“These are very exciting times for both OCEC and Oman. Our team continues to grow which brings together some of the finest talent from Oman and other parts of the world to embrace our shared vision. We have 22 events already booked for 2016 that are expected to bring more than 200,000 visitors to the Sultanate in our first year alone, which in itself underscores the potential of OCEC as an international exhibition and congress venue and driver of socio-economic benefits for the country. We aim to continually expand our market reach with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and key industry partners, as we advance on our journey to capture the industry on mass and secure business right through to 2024,” said Ms Taylor.

Muscat is only a seven hour flight from 50% of the world’s population, and OCEC promises to become the foundation for Oman’s emergence as a major force in the convention and exhibition marketplace. The Centre will feature an environmentally-friendly, world-class design, characterised by an elaborate lyric-style tiered auditorium seating 3,200, while the exhibition halls will give an innovative, column-free space of 22,000 square metres which can be sub-divided into five separate halls. Thirteen meeting rooms capable of seating between 80–300 delegates, as well as two Ballrooms, a VIP Pavilion, a shopping mall and a range of internationally branded hotels all culminate to demonstrate the vision that is the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre precinct.