Aims to foster a Qatari workforce with recognised event industry skills

A prime example of corporate social responsibility and leading by example is what Qatar MICE Development Institute (QMDI) has demonstrated by partnering with Meeting Professionals International (MPI) to launch dedicated training programmes for Qataris interested in joining the meetings industry.

Mathew Meredith, group managing director, QMDI

Speaking to meetme, Mathew Meredith, group managing director, QMDI, said: “We have partnered with MPI as they are the leading body for industry accredited certification in the events industry. Our goal is to help raise industry knowledge and mentor the future leaders of Qatar. Our commitment and investment is to recruit 20 Qatari graduates to gain hands-on experience with us as part of our in-house events team, as well as complement this with academic study through MPI’s training programmes. The demand for professionally recognised event industry skills is also apparent in Qatar. On this basis, we would like, in the near future, to offer MPI courses to the market in general through our partnership with them.”

This is the first step in training a specialised home-grown workforce. “Our partnership with MPI is our first initiative to offer accredited training programmes – an important sector which addresses knowledge for organising meetings, conferences and conventions. However, as the market evolves and we see specialisation in other event sectors we would also like to bring to market other specialist training programmes, for example in exhibitions, live events and sporting fixtures. QMDI are already members of other international event bodies such as ICCA, IAEE (International Association of Event Organisers) and IFEA (International Festivals and Events Association),” he said.

QMDI’s mandate is to support and develop the meetings industry (MICE sector) in Qatar and is going about it with a two- pronged approach, namely through professional event management services and through strategic meetings development initiatives.

QMDI’s event management delivers international standard management services and the largest dedicated team of professionals in Qatar. By raising the bar, QMDI helps organisations deliver more dynamic and creative events not experienced before in Qatar.

“In addition to this, QMDI also has in-house specific industry sector expertise with direct links into the global leaders and influencers. Not only are we in a position to manage the event process but also to research the market’s needs, and then build the right programmes - launching new events which are both sustainable and transfer specialist expert knowledge,” said Meredith.

More recently, QMDI extended its remit to include professional conference organising services as well.