Dubai has beaten intense competition to host the International Federation of Training and Development Organisations' (IFTDO) 37th annual world conference.
Australia was also on the final short-list but Dubai won by virtue of its strategic location, prime facilities, and track record in staging major international conferences.
About 1,500 delegates from 30 countries are expected to attend the four-day event at the city's international convention centre next March. Dubai Police Academy will host the event, underlining the department's status as an international leader in training and development to global performance standards.
Dnata World of Events has been appointed as the official Professional Conference Organisers and played an important role in supporting the local host in securing the IFTDO congress for Dubai.
The agreement was signed on behalf of Dubai Police by Prof. Doctor Mohamed Ahmed Bin Fahad, Director Dubai Police Academy and World President of IFTDO and on behalf of Dnata World of Events by Mr. Iain Andrew – Senior Vice President.
"The theme of 'Knowledge and Human Resources' reflects the Dubai Government's vision of being a world leader in knowledge-driven economies," said Lt. General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, General Commander of Dubai Police..
"Knowledge has become a major enabler for economic development in Dubai, enhanced by a special formula that combines economic freedom with openness to the world." He added.
The conference, which will run from March 3rd – 6th 2008, will focus on four main topics: knowledge creation and human resource management, fast forward technologies in education and training, socio-economic trends, and knowledge work environments.
Speakers will include leading international and regional experts who will address human resources development managers from public and private sectors, academics, researchers, and business professionals.
Delegates are expected to participate from around the world, especially the Middle East as special emphasis will be placed on the region's specific needs for training and development. Strong representation is also expected from Japan, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Korea which is participating for the first time in this world congress.
Medhat Nassar, Manager Dnata World Of Events, said: "Along with Dubai Police Academy, we have been working hard to secure this event for Dubai and we're naturally delighted to have been chosen as the host city."
"We faced strong competition but numerous factors weighed in our favour, such as Dubai's location – conveniently accessible for all international delegates, the superior facilities we provide – conference venue, hotels, and entertainment, and our proven record of successfully hosting major international events such as the World Bank and IMF meetings. We follow San Francisco as the 2007 host city and will be succeeded by Canada in 2009, followed by London in 2010."
IFTDO was founded in Geneva in 1972 and is a diversified network of human resource management and organisations that represents more than 500,000 professionals in 50 countries.
Only member countries can bid for the world congress and Dubai's bid was based on the efforts made by Dubai Police affiliated Security & Administration Science Institute (SASI) established in 1997 to provide training, development, and consultancy services to various types of government authorities and public sector employees and a founding member of the IFTDO since 2004.
About Dnata World of Events:
Established since 1996 and part of the Emirates Group, World of Events is a specialist Events Marketing & Management company. It is a division of Dnata Agencies and is regarded by its customers as a reliable and quality service provider, thanks to its highly professional team of event specialists.
World of Events offers a range of services to the corporate market and the conventions industry, ranging from conceptualisation, design and theme, through to pre-registration, on-site delivery, event and logistics management.
In addition to its dedicated professional conference organising unit that was established following the success of managing several major regional and international conferences, it also provides a one-stop solution for event marketing and management requirements with experience in 13 different destinations, ranging from a 10 person incentive group to over 10,000 delegates for the annual meetings of the World Bank and IMF.
