TWENTY eight high-profile individuals and organisations were honoured by Dubai’s government in early January for their ongoing efforts to attract and host international conferences in the city.
The combined efforts of the honourees at the 4th Annual Al Safeer Congress Ambassadors Programme’s Recognition and Networking Event, resulted in 10,000 leading global experts and thought leaders visiting Dubai last year to attend over a dozen major conferences. Hosted by Dubai Business Events (DBE) – the Official Convention Bureau, a division of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the event also paid tribute to the ambassadors and organisations responsible for submitting over 20 bids in 2014 alone to bring future international conferences to Dubai.The Al Safeer Congress Ambassadors Programme was set up by DBE five years ago.The programme, which currently boasts around 150 prominent Dubai-based ambassadors, is looking to expand its ranks in 2015 and to better position the emirate as a leading business events destination and knowledge hub. By growing ambassador numbers and working with them on a continual basis to bring global conferences to the city, DBE hopes to enhance Dubai’s international standing by getting leading international associations to debate the latest developments in their respective fields here in Dubai.Overall, in 2014 alone, the bureau promoted Dubai at more than 100 international events, and welcomed more than 200 international conference decision makers and influencers to the emirate to showcase its business events offerings. In 2015, DBE has an even bigger and more ambitious plan in place to promote Dubai as a leading destination for international business events.Dubai Business Events is also one of the participants at this year’s ibtm arabia held in Abu Dhabi.