Dubai Event Management Corporation to Further Drive UAE’s Status as Region’s Sports and Cultural Hub

Dubai Event Management Corporation to Further Drive UAE’s Status as Region’s Sports and Cultural Hub
Dubai poised for unprecedented expansion in sports and cultural activities – HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed
Dubai is poised for an unprecedented expansion in sport and cultural activities with Dubai Event Management Corporation, according to His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Corporation’s President.
The Corporation was established by a law issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to manage and organise events, exhibitions and conferences.
Launched by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed, the Corporation will introduce major new initiatives and strike international alliances with sports and cultural associations in the coming months, while working towards attracting conferences and exhibitions to the UAE. In addition, it will also develop and own international events, representing all sports.
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed said: “Our primary focus is to further develop the UAE as a leading destination for world class events of international significance and we believe we have the resources, capability and know-how to achieve this objective. Our intention is to establish the UAE as one of the world’s leading sports and cultural events destinations.”
Leveraging the country’s established success in hosting world class events, the Dubai Event Management Corporation will add significant value by bringing top tier sportsmen and women and artists to the UAE. The Dubai Event Management Corporation will seek to build credibility as a calendar and event management institution in the UAE and around the world. It will provide its services locally and to the international markets while setting new benchmarks, as well as identifying and facilitating new key events with widespread public appeal. In addition to acting as a sports and cultural events owner, the corporation will also be an effective service provider for corporate events.
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed said the Corporation will follow a clear growth path with a proper emphasis on profitability while judiciously identifying investment opportunities. In the next few years, it will take ownership of more than four key events and establish its global status as an event advisor, venue facilitator and extended service provider, before regionally expanding and diversifying its business scope.
Speaking about the new initiative, Saeed Al Muntafiq, Executive Chairman of the Dubai Event Management Corporation, said: “Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Ahmedو the Corporation will re-define the events industry in the UAE and cement the country’s reputation for organizing and hosting world class events.
“With double digit annual growth forecast in the global sponsorship market alone, the Corporation is ideally positioned to take advantage of the emerging commercial opportunities and to set new benchmarks for the organization of sports and cultural events in the region.”
According to research firm IEG, global outlay on sponsorships is expected to increase 14.8 per cent this year to US$43.5 billion. However, if broadcasting rights, event management and players fees are added into the mix, then the market has the potential to double in size, IEG said in its report, adding that if North America is excluded, spending by the rest of the world is forecast to rise 16.1 per cent to US$26.7 billion. Global spending in 2007 was estimated to be around US$37.7 billion.