Abu Dhabi Launches New CVB

Within five years, Abu Dhabi wants to be ranked among the world’s top 50 association meeting destinations by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). In pursuit of that goal, the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) has formed the Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, which will support the growth of exhibitions and conferences within the booming emirate, it announced yesterday.

“We will provide free and non-biased assistance and support to professional convention, incentive and exhibition planners, corporations and associations so that they can bid for, win and hold conferences, major business events, business meetings and congresses in Abu Dhabi,” TCA Abu Dhabi Deputy Director General Jasem Al Darmaki said in a statement. “This is a clear signal to the maturing local and regional business events industry and its international counterpart, that Abu Dhabi is prioritizing their sector as never before and is a move totally aligned to Abu Dhabi’s 2030 economic vision. The bureau’s formation also demonstrates our recognition of the potential of exhibitions, conferences and business events — the MICE sector — to contribute to Abu Dhabi’s wider tourism aspirations and generate significant economic impact for the destination through increasing visitor numbers, hotel occupancies, flights and other visitor and exhibitor spend.”

According to TCA Abu Dhabi, the new convention bureau will provide a range of services to the meetings industry, including bid presentation support, delegate generation campaigns, local stakeholder coordination and knowledge, onsite destination advice, government support coordination and marketing assistance.

“Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau is an enabler platform that will drive and support the development and promotion of business events throughout the emirate efficiently, effectively and transparently, in partnership with all its stakeholders. Its mission is to champion the emirate as a dynamic global business events leader,” continued Al Darmaki, who said Abu Dhabi’s goal is to win six major conventions this year, eight more next year and a total of 10 in 2015. “Our timing could not be better. We have our most competitive room rates ever — which can be a deciding factor for major associations and business event organizers looking to secure a host destination and our available hotel stock is now well-suited to large events. Our distinctive advantages are competitive rates, intelligent pricing, added value and innovative product.”

Currently, Abu Dhabi ranks No. 234 on ICCA’s list of the world’s top international association meeting destinations. This year, it expects to crack the top 150.