Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the region's leading venue operator and events organizer announced that it has won the bids to host eight new prestigious congresses at its world class venues in 2011 and 2012. Covering key sectors that include healthcare, transportation, legal and technology, these events are expected to attract approximately 70,000 industry leaders and visitors, reaffirming Dubai's position as the leading gateway for business tourism in the region.
Most recently, DWTC supported Dubai in its successful bid to host the World Heart Foundation's (WHF) next World Congress of Cardiology (WCC). This is the first time in WHF's history that this global congress will be held in this region. Bidding for this illustrious event against Singapore, Kyoto and Cape Town, Dubai's win further enhances its already established reputation as a key global player in the events industry.
Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre said: "Our success in attracting congresses of such world class stature is a powerful testament to Dubai's leading position as a regional business hub. The robust market outlook of the exhibitions, congresses and events sector continues to drive economic growth into the region, with many world-renowned associations looking to increase their exposure in sustained-growth markets like Dubai. At DWTC, we have invested in state-of-the-art infrastructure and world-class services to support and fuel this growth, and we remain committed to providing the ideal global networking platform to host these prestigious international events."
Acknowledged as the leading international scientific forum designed to update and increase knowledge in the field of human genome research, the Human Genome Organisation (HUGO) will convene its 15th annual Human Genome Meeting at the DWTC in March 2011, with a main focus on genomics and hereditable disorders. Also in March, DWTC will also host Microsoft Tech•Ed, the premier technical education and networking event for technology professionals interested in learning, connecting and exploring a broad set of current and soon-to-release Microsoft technologies, tools, platforms and services.
Demonstrating its on-going support to Dubai's strategic focus on healthcare, DWTC has already hosted major shows during 2010 in this key sector including The UAE International Dental Conference and Exhibition, Arab Children Health Congress, NYSORA World Anaesthesia Congress, the Dubai International Rehabilitation Forum, and others. They will also be hosting the World Hospital Congress in March 2011. DWTC has further cemented its commitment by partnering with the Dubai Health Authority to win the bids to host the 21st World Diabetes Congress in December 2011, the Annual Conference of the Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (SICOT) in November 2012, and the recently announced 2012 World Congress of Cardiology.
In a bid to support the Roads and Transport Authority's (RTA) strategic plan for 2020: 'Safe and smooth transport for all', DWTC will host the 59th International Association of Public Transport (UITP) World Congress in April 2011, together with the Mobility & City Transport Exhibition. For a city that has seen its population surge from 1.2 million people in 2005 to a predicted 5.15 million by 2020, Dubai is recognised for its forward-looking policies and is well positioned as the ideal city to host this international gathering for public transport authorities and operators, policy decision-makers, scientific institutes and the public transport supply and service industry.
The International Bar Association's (IBA) Annual Conference is also set to take place at the DWTC in October 2011. The IBA's Annual Conference is the largest international gathering of lawyers and bar associations in the world, and will provide an opportunity for lawyers from around the world to meet and hear first-hand about legal developments in various jurisdictions.
DWTC's strong line up of events covers a wide variety of key sectors, which will continue to draw visitors in record numbers. In order to cater to the increasing demand, DWTC's recent infrastructure expansion, the state-of-the-art Sheikh Saeed Halls, including the UAE's largest indoor events space – The Trade Centre Arena, has paved the way for DWTC to achieve the position of the leading global events destination.
