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Pryor commented that he was broadly happy with the way things were going . “ The product is first class . This is the first venue I ’ ve worked in where bringing an exhibition in has not been a major challenge . The fit-out is good . Bahrain has all the main things to offer trade shows and conventions . So it ’ s really up to us now to get ourselves out there and educate the global market that we are here .”
In transition Asked about the potential challenges facing EWB , Pryor singled out that , while there are hotels in the vicinity ( Sofitel , Raffles ), in terms of
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infrastructure the Formula One circuit and the Al Dana amphitheatre are the only two venues close to the exhibition centre in Sakhir at the moment . However , Sports City is in the pipeline and new hotels and infrastructure will come on the back of it , which will change the area dramatically , all of which will be good news for EWB , he flagged .
Pryor touched on the issue of ‘ growing pains ’ facing EWB : “ If it ’ s a challenge , it ’ s just the transition from going through an opening and now moving into attracting business . I think it ’ s a bit of a mental transition for staff … to go from realising ‘ well , we ’ re
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Above : The EWB venue is now moving from ‘ opening ’ to attracting new business
Left : EWS stage for culinary master classes
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open now , now we need to refocus on attracting business and selling .’ And we ’ re at that transition stage right now .”
The importance of staff training and upskilling the team was also cited by EWB ’ s general manager . “ Next year is going to be all about developing our people . What you want to do is to transform the existing team into experts in what they do – whether its operations or sales .”
As part of ASM Global , EWB has the budget to send staff abroad to other convention / exhibition centres for training purposes , Pryor stressed .
Global macro issues are obviously beyond EWB ’ s control . The potential imposition of trade tariffs – for example , on China – by Donald Trump once he is back in the White House in January is a general concern . However , it is not something that Pryor is losing sleep over . It might even work in EWB ’ s favour , he said .
Emphasising that this was an exciting time to visit EWB , Pryor said : “ Apart from the UN gastronomy conference , we have the build-up of Jewellery Arabia , our biggest event of the year , which coincides with Cityscape and Scent Arabia . So the building is really getting ready now to work at its full capacity .” n
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