More than 150 local and international meeting and event professionals are expected to attend the first-ever Gulf Meetings and Events Conference on 5-6 April 2008 at the new Intercontinental Hotel Dubai Festival City.

The event will run just before the Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) 2008 acting as a partner to the exhibition, and is part of Meetings Professionals International’s (MPI’s) vision to build “a rich global meetings and events community”. The conference aims to “deliver a unique programme of education, professional development and networking to the region”. It will also mark the beginning of a week-long focus on the sector culminating in GIBTM.

MPI partnered with Reed Travel Exhibitions, organisers of GIBTM 2008, to deliver the conference, which aims to deliver more than 10 educational sessions, as well as destination tours and several networking events.

Commenting on the event, Didier Scaillet, MPI vice-president of global development, said: "The partnership creates a strong value proposition that is aimed at local meeting professionals throughout the Middle East, many of whom we understand do not really see themselves as part of the meetings industry. It is also open to international meeting and event professionals already doing business in the region or those who are looking to do so.”

At the end of the Gulf Meetings and Events Conference delegates will be transferred to GIBTM, which will take place from 8-10 April 2008 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
 
For more information, visit www.mpiweb.org