SEMINARS @Mezzanine Level, Dubai World Trade Centre
Wednesday, May 2
10.30 am: Country As Brand, the ultimate marketing challenge by Rina Plapler, executive director, brand experience, FutureBrand
11.30am: Engaging the National Psyche for Delivery by Judy Neil, consultant, FHS Global
12.30pm: Service Recovery by Karen Storey, managing partner, X-Logic
1.30pm: MICE industry in the GCC and Middle East, by Rob Nicholas, publisher, NPI Media
2.30pm: Branding Destinations by Steve Cranford, CEO, Whisper
3.30pm: Let the Journey begin by Carolyn Wincer, head of sales, Virgin Space Galactic
4.30pm: An Overview of Industry and Market Trends within Asia by Louise Butler, director of membership services; and Nicki Page, regional director of GCC; PATA
Thursday, May 3
10.30am: The “Budget” hotel market and the challenges and benefits of doing business in the Middle East by Andrew Lavoipierre, executive director – operations, Easy Hotels
11.30am: The new trend of cruising and cruises by Dario Rustico, director of sales, Costa Cruises
12.30pm: Asia-Pacific MICE trends both inbound and outbound from the MENA region by David van der Meulen, Middle East MICE, editor, Middle East MICE & Events magazine
1.30pm: Sports and Tourism – a winning team, by Roberto Passariello, director of communication and marketing, Eurosport
2.30pm: 10 years of Travel E-commerce by Murad Hajeebhoy, vice-president Partner Services Group, EMEA; and Jِrg Burtscheidt, regional director, Northern and Central Europe, Middle East & Indian Ocean; Expedia
3.30pm: US-VISIT: An Update by Kimberly Weissman and Matthew Coughlin, spokespersons, US-VISIT 4.30pm: Ras Al Khaimah – Building the newest Tourism Hot Spot in the UAE by Hilary McCormack
SOCIAL EVENTS
All events are by invitation only, unless specifically mentioned
Tuesday, May 1
7.30pm: Welcome Party & New Frontiers Award Presentation, hosted by Arabian Travel Market and Hyatt Hotels Dubai, open to exhibitors, Meridian Club members, hosted buyers, press; at Grand Hyatt Dubai. Entry via invitation or exhibition badge. Contact: wheelerbennett@reedexpo.co.uk
Wednesday, May 2
1pm to 2pm: Meridian Club Lunch by Four Seasons Golf Club Dubai Festival City, open to Meridian Club members and hosted buyers; at Meridien Club/ Hosted Buyer Lounge.
Contact: Adrienne.O’Brien@fourseasons.com
4.30pm to 7.30pm: Hosted Buyer Event, thrown by Net Group, open to hosted buyers; at 1001 Arabian Nights Desert Camp. Contact: info@ATMhostedbuyer.com
6.30pm: A Night at Al Sahra, hosted by Dubailand and Dubai Heritage Village, by invitation only, at Al Sahra Desert Resort, Dubailand.
Contact: katrina.dawson@dhvdubai.com