Opening of new ICCA Middle East Regional Office recognises development of the international association meetings industry in the Middle East region.

The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has expressed its confidence in the continued growth in the international association meetings market segment of the Middle East region.

Aiming to play a significant role in the industry's further growth, ICCA has opened its first Middle East regional office in September last year, which is leveraging the association's key expertise in the international association meetings sector -offering unrivalled data, communication channels and business development opportunities to its members.

ICCA CEO Martin Sirk (left) and newly appointed ICCA Regional Director Middle East Gamal Sadek (right)

"Since we opened last September, our regional office in the Middle East has picked up its pace and is now working at full speed. Establishing our presence in the region isn't simply a move to deliver better services to our existing members in this region, but also a recognition that the international association meetings market is continuing to evolve, and it is in the growth of regional meetings in the Middle East that we anticipate some of the most dramatic future developments," said Arnaldo Nardone, President, ICCA.

"This implies is that there is going to be more business for our existing members in the Middle East, more new events to identify and add to the ICCA Association Database, more new infrastructure developments, more understanding of the strategic importance of association events by city and national governments, and more interest in ICCA by potential new members. It is strategically important for ICCA to build a long-term presence in the Middle East market."

ICCA has named Gamal Sadek from Al Ketbi Consultancy as the newly-appointed Dubai-based ICCA Regional Director for the Middle East. Sadek brings a wealth of experience in frontline sales and marketing and in-depth knowledge of the meetings industry in the region. Prior to assuming his post at the ICCA, Sadek underwent months of intensive training on ICCA products and services.

In fact, the new regional director is looking forward to his first official event as the association's official representative to this year's edition of the Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM), which will take place from March 25 to March 27, 2013 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

"My top priority is to make sure that every ICCA member in the Middle East knows that they've now got a friendly point of contact to help them get the maximum value out of their ICCA membership, to make them aware of how to use the ICCA network, the database, and the full range of ICCA services," said Sadek.

ICCA now has five regional offices in addition to its Head Office in Amsterdam, with established operations already serving Asia-Pacific, North- and Latin America, and new regional offices in the Middle East and Africa.
 
ICCA specialises in the international association meetings sector, offering unrivalled data, communication channels, and business development opportunities, and is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2013.