The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) is working with the Dubai Convention Bureau (DCB) to present a strong and unified bid to host the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Congress and Exhibition in 2011.
The UAE is among the three places short listed to this gathering of meetings industry decision makers. If successful, this will be the ICCA’s first congress to be held in Middle East. Other destinations short listed are Pittsburgh in USA and Leipzig in Germany.
The ICCA is one of the most prominent organisations in the world of international meetings. It is the only association that comprises a membership representing the main specialists in handling, transporting and accommodating international events, and has over 850 members in almost 80 countries worldwide.
The ICCA’S 50th Congress in 2001 will coincide with the UAE’s 40th anniversary of the formation of the federation of seven emirates. A host committee has been formed with members from each destination working together with a common goal for this congress, and for many more future projects. The 2011 Congress is proposed to be held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai under the theme A Tale of two Cities – A United Vision.
The 47th ICCA Congress and Exhibition is scheduled to be held in Victoria, Canada, in November, followed by a 2009 gathering in Florence, Italy and the 2010 event in Hyderabad, India. ICCA will make the announcement about the selection of the 2011 host city later this month.
According to ICCA officials, the number of ICCA members in the Arabian Gulf and the Middle East region has grown from four in 2000 to 14 in 2007 and it expects to have well over 20 members in the region in 2008.
A panel of ICCA members gave an update on the latest developments in the region and how Abu Dhabi and Dubai joined forces to present a strong and unified bid for the ICCA 2011 congress at the Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings (GIBTM) Exhibition held in Abu Dhabi last month. The GIBTM was held with the support of ADTA.