(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) The Middle East's MICE, or Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibition industry, is embracing the vast potential of the region's status as a hub for business and tourism, which a few years ago would not have been the first choice for large-scale events, said a top official of dmg events.
"The company is optimistic in registering a robust performance in 2013," said Mike Allsop, senior vice-president, dmg events Middle East, in an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times.
"dmg events organised 14 large-scale events in 2012 and 2011, and we expect to organise 20 events in 2013. We are currently working hard on the Life & Style Show UAE, which is will take place in Abu Dhabi in December 2013. The show will comprise six individual shows including: Speed & Power, Home & Living, Fashion & Beauty, Gizmos, Gadgets & Tech, Sport & Leisure and Toys, Hobbies & Games. The Life & Style Show UAE will be one of the largest consumer events in the Middle East with over 50,000 visitors expected over three days, offering a truly compelling retail experience for all those who attend."
Allsop explained the US MICE segment contributes 106 billion to that country's GDP, which is higher than automotive manufacturing (78 billion), performing arts/spectator sports/museums (71 billion) and information and data process services (76 billion).
"We therefore see a great future for the MICE industry, not just here in the UAE but also across the wider Middle East where development and growth in this sector is moving fast. The UAE is perfectly positioned, with its proximity to huge growth markets such as India and the fact it has literally billions of people within a five-hour flight range. This means the world looks to the UAE and wider Middle East for business opportunities that currently do not exist in the mature markets of the West; this in turn leads to growth opportunities for us."
"At dmg events, we are seeing continued growth in our core sectors which include, construction, hospitality, energy and design. The Big 5, PMV and Concrete in the building and construction sectors are performing strongly. We are also seeing strengthening interest in the hospitality and design sectors as companies in the mature economies of the West look to the Middle East for new business opportunities," he added.
dmg events plans to invest and develop its core brands in Dubai - The Big 5, Index and the Hotel Show - as well as the wider region such as Saudi Arabia. The Dubai-based firm has recently launched conference and training division, which is designed to deliver first-hand knowledge on functional and industry specific sectors. "Looking to the future, we are extending and developing our core Dubai brands as well as looking to clone them into other territories," Allsop concluded.
