Interest levels are high since the announcement of the Middle East’s newest convention centre under construction at Doha’s Education City, an entire precinct devoted to education, research and knowledge. General Manager of the Qatar National Convention Centre, Mr Paul D’Arcy said, “we are delighted with the favourable response from the world’s leading international associations and organisations in our initial phases of business development.”

To re-enforce the international and regional exposure, the Qatar National Convention Centre has appointed Mrs Cathy Hemsworth as Director of Sales.

Bringing a wealth of experience to the region, Cathy’s expertise includes convention centre branding, marketing and business development, having been Director of Sales at New Zealand’s Christchurch Convention Centre for six years. She is also experienced in corporate sponsorship, regional economic development and professional conference management.

Her first official activity is introducing the Qatar National Convention Centre to global conference organisers and decision makers at GIBTM, the Gulf’s premier meetings industry tradeshow.

“The region is in an exciting growth phase and I am looking forward to working closely with the Qatar Foundation and its members such as QMDI – Qatar MICE Development Institute and Doha’s key stakeholders to increase the awareness of Qatar’s commitment to become a world leader in education, research and development."

Opening in 2010, the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) will feature a 2,500-seat auditorium, 500 seat theatre, 15 meeting rooms, a multi-purpose hall for 4,000 and expansive exhibition space. The Centre will set a new benchmark in world-class convention facilities with extraordinary attention to detail in the overall design elements to meet the most sophisticated demands of global conference organisers.

The QNCC is a member of the Qatar Foundation and joins other members such as the Qatar Science and Technology Park, Sidra Medical & Research Centre, Weill Cornell Medical College, Texas A&M University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Carnegie Mellon and Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.

QNCC is managed by the venue management specialists AEG Ogden.