Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), is preparing to host IBTM Arabia, the leading event for the meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) industry in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, in the emirate for three days starting tomorrow (25 March).

The event, which will run from 25^th to 27^th March, 2019 at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers hotel in Abu Dhabi, will bring together meetings and events planners from across the globe to connect with MICE suppliers based in the MENA region. It will include planned one-to-one meetings, invaluable networking opportunities, a ‘Discovery Day’ and carefully devised educational sessions delivered by industry experts.

A number of high-profile travel, tourism and events companies and organisations have already confirmed their attendance, including Etihad Airways, Expo 2020 Dubai, United Nations Conference Center in Addis Ababa, Rotana UAE, Rwanda Convention Bureau, Azerbaijan Convention Bureau and the Deputy Ministry of Tourism of Cyprus.

“Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau has had another successful year in which we have succeeded in winning bids to host major events and conferences, so IBTM Arabia will provide us the chance to continue this momentum well into 2020,” said Mubarak Al Shamsi, Director of Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau.

“Also, last year saw the opening of a number of new amazing attractions and accommodation venues in Abu Dhabi, which complement our existing portfolio. So IBTM Arabia is the perfect opportunity to showcase all of these to the delegates we are expecting from around the globe, as well as providing them with a forum for networking and discussion.”

The itinerary of IBTM Arabia aims to facilitate relationship building, with a number of networking events and talks by leading industry figures, a ‘Discovery Day’ visit to Emirates Palace, Park Hyatt Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi, Yas Hotel and Yas Marina Circuit, a site visit to Louvre Abu Dhabi and a Gala Evening White Party at the Saadiyat Rotana resort.

IBTM Arabia comes after Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau has already won bids for a series of world-class conferences and events. This month saw the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, the first time that this prestigious event has taken place in the MENA region, where more than 7,500 athletes from more than 190 nations convened to compete in 24 Olympic-style sports.

Upcoming events in the healthcare sector include the International Society of Paediatric Oncology’s Asia Congress 2019 from 3^rd to 6^thApril, where medical experts will discuss cancer care for children. From 29^th October to 2^nd November, Abu Dhabi will also host the 37th World Congress of Endourology, the world’s foremost convention dedicated to minimally invasive urologic surgery.

From 9^th to 12^th September, the World Energy Congress is coming to Abu Dhabi, after the Bureau beat off competitive bids from both Rio de Janeiro and St Petersburg to host the 2019 event. With over 150 countries represented, the Congress is the world’s largest and most influential energy event covering all aspects of the energy agenda.

Other key events include the International Conference on CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance 2019 from 12^th to 13^th June, the 26^th World Road Congress from 6^th to 10^th October, and the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) Global Conference from 24^th to 26^th October.

Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau also provides “Advantage Abu Dhabi”, the incentive initiative aimed at increasing the overall value proposition of Abu Dhabi through hosting of innovative and viable business events aligned to the Abu Dhabi 2030 Economic Vision. It provides a unique opportunity for event organisers to gain destination driven value by providing bespoke destination support.

Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau and Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi will both be at Stand D13 at IBTM Arabia.

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