Figures released recently revealed that 2007 was officially the busiest year in the history of venue operator and event organiser Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
The company’s year end results show consistent growth across all of its businesses, with the DWTC venue, exhibitions and hospitality divisions in particular recording strong growth and the real estate division achieving key strategic milestones.
As a group, DWTC grew by over 25 per cent in 2007, increasing headcount from just over 1,000 employees in 2006 to 1,255 employees today.
Helal Saeed Al Marri, director general, DWTC, said, “We are steadily scaling the curve of growing our business ‘five times in five years’ in line with our strategic vision. The fact that 2007 has showcased consistent and aligned progress across all our business lines demonstrates that we are on track and reinforcing our position as the catalyst for business in the region.”
Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) welcomed over one million visitors across exhibitions, events, conferences and other shows in 2007, recording a 25 per cent increase over the previous year. In total, the venue hosted 97 exhibitions and nine conferences with significant exhibition components. Last year’s Diabetes and Annual World Dental Congresses hosted at DICEC surpassed prior records in delegate traffic, attracting 12,500 and over 25,000 visitors respectively.
Within the fast growing meetings sector, DICEC was also the venue for over 250 congresses, seminars and workshops, which in turn attracted a further 50,000 business delegates to Dubai.
“Breaking through the one million visitor ceiling is a monumental achievement for DWTC and provides the group with an important platform for growth in 2008. It demonstrates how effectively we are promoting Dubai to the international market and also underlines our capacity and capabilities for hosting major business events,” added Al Marri.
In addition, 2007 also saw the beginnings of the Dubai Exhibition City project – a 7 sq km development aimed at creating a dynamic and integrated commercial destination anchored by one of the world’s largest, state-of-the art exhibition facility dedicated to major trade fairs.