Reed Travel Exhibitions and global media partners MICE International published by Nicholas Publishing International, are to pioneer an industry wide research study to establish the current and future net worth and opportunities for the meetings and incentives industry for the developing Gulf and wider Middle East region.

The outlying objectives of the survey are to measure the inbound and outbound flows of business from the supplier and the buyer markets, addressing the current gap in market information and lifting the lid on the region’s potential.

The goals of the survey include: establishing the total number and type of events currently held, measuring the expenditure on events in the region, measuring inbound, outbound and inter-regional business flows and expenditure, identifying who the key players in the meetings industry currently are and which industries the core business stems from.

The study will also look to reveal the future potential for the region and opportunities for growth and expansion. This will provide a valuable tool for regional suppliers looking to target and attract new business into the region, as well as international suppliers looking for an insight into new prospects operating from within there region.

Paul Kennedy MBE, Group Exhibitions Director RTE comments, “There is a distinct lack of data for a region that clearly is demonstrating rapid growth in capital infrastructure and levels of meeting business. Our research will provide all parties with increased clarity about the important business sector. The research is expected to give definition to Abu Dhabi, the Gulf and wider Middle East region as an important market within the global meetings industry.”

The survey will be carried out during Autumn 2006 with the results published during the GIBTM event.