Leading meetings industry associations MPI and ICCA have joined forces with GIBTM for “Meetings Reality & Potential in the Gulf Region - The Market Knowledge Exchange”. Taking place between 14.00 and 17.30 on Sunday, 28 March at ADNEC, Abu Dhabi, the interactive session launches Gulf Meetings Week and is open to all.

Key topics for discussion and debate include the ‘mood of the market’; challenges and opportunities; occupancy rates and pricing; training and how the region can attract more association events, corporate conferences and incentives.

Martin Sirk, CEO, ICCA said: “This session offers meetings industry professionals a rare chance to share inside knowledge, the latest frontline market intelligence, and their individual viewpoints on where future business is going to come from.

“The Gulf region has been so dynamic and difficult to read over the last couple of years, with extensive supply-side developments still coming on stream despite the global economic turmoil, ambitious strategic planning by the region’s rulers, and extremes of market segment volatility and unpredictable client behaviour – hopefully after this frank exchange of views, we’ll all be that little bit clearer about what’s going on and what practical steps can be taken to win more meetings business.”

Erica Keogan, GIBTM’s Education Content Manager, comments: “This initiative is an opportunity for the industry to meet and discuss how the Gulf meetings sector will develop in the future. We want to encourage attendance from all levels of the industry from those starting out to senior management; from travel agents and those representing destinations to technology and event companies. All have a role to play in the development of a sector that has enormous potential for growth.”

Didier Scaillet, Chief Development Officer, MPI adds: “The GCC countries continue to establish themselves as a new centre of gravity for the global meetings industry, with a unique location at the crossroads of East and West, a remarkable infrastructure and world-class airlines. This past year has seen many changes in the demand for meetings and events, linked to this unprecedented global recession. We are very pleased to work in partnership with GIBTM and ICCA to stage this conference, designed to make meeting and event professionals successful in attracting additional business and developing their skills and competencies.”