hat is Abu Dhabi ’ s strategy to develop business events further once the pandemic passes ? Firstly , it is important to note that there is no doubt that events will operate differently than in the past . While recovery will differ country by country , we can expect common themes . There will be a greater focus on smaller , domestic events with elevated hygiene and physical distancing demands . We will also witness an increase in virtual or hybrid events , particularly in the B2B sector , and especially for events where there is already an appetite for content to be consumed on-demand . To facilitate the fulfilment of such demands , Abu Dhabi has created and implemented a series of initiatives to ensure visitors are confident in the city and feel reassured and safe . Abu Dhabi ’ s Go Safe certification programme is one such measure helping to achieve this goal . It was developed by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi ( DCT Abu Dhabi ) to standardise stringent health and safety guidelines for the local hospitality and tourism industry . As of May 2021 , the emirate is almost completely Go Safe certified , including 95 % of its hotels , major tourism attractions , and shopping centres .

To meet the continued demand for digital and hybrid formats , the Abu Dhabi CEB team is either already Digital Event Strategist ( DES ) certified or is undergoing DES training provided by the PCMA . Over the last year , we have also leveraged the power of data and analytics like never before , to help us adapt to this new era of business events .

While this has been an area we always deemed important , its critical value surfaced during this period , and we anticipate an increased reliance on the insights gathered from it to help pave the way towards a more agile organisation . Through it we can identify relevant trends , as well as respond to the various issues and concerns faced by visitors and the sector , in a more efficient manner .

Are there any bid wins in the pipeline for international conferences and events ? As destinations gradually reopen for international tourism , significant conferences and exhibitions are slowly making a return . Earlier this year we concluded the International Defence Exhibition and Conference ( IDEX ) 2021 , which was the first hybrid event since 2020 , including on-ground attendance .

In terms of bids , we are thrilled to share that we have won 12 bids for association meetings and conventions , including the World Chinese Life Insurance Congress and International Dragon Awards for 8,000 people in August 2022 , and the Worldchefs Congress and Expo 2022 .

Above : Abu Dhabi panorama

Left : HE Ali Hassan Al Shaiba

Any new details of major venue and infrastructure investments ? Abu Dhabi is joining the rest of the UAE in celebrating the country ’ s golden jubilee in December 2021 . Over the last 50 years , the emirate has made significant strides in the business events and MICE sector , becoming a leading MICE destination and building the foundations for future industry developments and successes in the years to come . As Abu Dhabi increasingly becomes the destination of choice for all types of business events , the demand for venues and accommodation options has naturally increased , and we are continuously working to meet that demand .

The UAE capital continues to see growth and enhancements to its infrastructure and offerings , with many large projects underway . These include the Al Qana Waterfront near the Grand Canal , which will feature the largest aquarium in the Middle East , as well as the Warner Bros . Hotel on Yas Island and the world ’ s largest indoor snow park on Reem Island . The pandemic has not slowed down progress in this area . In fact , Abu Dhabi has successfully expanded its portfolio of offerings in 2020 by introducing the new Hilton Abu Dhabi on Yas Island , the Hudayriyat Leisure and Entertainment District , West Bay Abu Dhabi and Cove Beach on Reem Island . These all offer new and unique experiences for visitors of all kinds .