Dallas -- Meeting Professionals International (MPI) yesterday announced that next year it will hold a professional education conference in the Middle East for the first time.
Professional Education Conference-Middle East will take place in April 2008 in Dubai immediately preceding the industry trade show, Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition.
The new conference -- professional education conferences already take place annually in Europe and North America -- affirms the emergence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), of which Dubai is a part, as a meetings and incentives destination.
"We are committed to connecting our members to the opportunities and knowledge that already exist in the Middle East and also to the ones that are about to emerge," said MPI chief executive Bruce MacMillan.
The UAE has invested billions of dollars in hospitality and meetings infrastructure over the past five years, including the development of 35 upscale hotels and the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
The Middle East conference is part of MPI's recently reinvigorated strategy to expand the organization internationally.
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