Venue view
Venues beyond physical space: rethinking the role of convention centres
ENG. SAID AL SHANFARI, CEO OF OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE, EXPLAINS WHY THE ROLE OF VENUES NEEDS TO BE RECONSIDERED ALTOGETHER
W hen I walk into a venue,
I don’ t just see a space. I see an ecosystem, a living, breathing entity that extends beyond its walls. Event organisers might focus on capacity, infrastructure, or seamless logistics, but a venue’ s true impact lies in what it represents: a hub for ideas, a driver of change and a catalyst for growth.
At Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre( OCEC), we believe a venue should be more than a backdrop for events, it should be a brand, a responsible corporate citizen, and a pillar of the local economy. The question isn’ t just how well a venue accommodates an event but how it contributes to its community and the industries it serves.
Hosting world-class conferences and exhibitions is at the heart of what we do, but our role extends far beyond that. We are committed to developing Oman’ s business events sector, investing in talent development and ensuring that the industry grows alongside the country’ s ambitious vision. By hosting events and collaborating with local partners, including SMEs, our venue actively contributes to the thriving business ecosystem.
Bridging the talent gap in Oman One of the biggest challenges we identified early on was the lack of industry-specific skills among graduates. That’ s why we launched a trainee programme, bringing already 15 trainees in Q1 2025. Each trainee is based on department needs and academic background, ensuring hands-on experience in a structured environment.
But training the next generation isn’ t enough. We also focus on upskilling our existing team, ensuring they stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.
Above: Said Al Shanfari
“ A venue should be more than a backdrop for events, it should be a brand, a responsible corporate citizen, and a pillar of the local economy.”
Left: Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre
Our employees have access to many benefits from tailored training plans to LinkedIn Learning access, scholarships, cross-training initiatives and access to international certifications.
This is how we future proof our industry: by investing in people.
A space that shapes Oman’ s future Oman is evolving and every major event at OCEC contributes to this transformation, bridging local expertise with global insights.
Take the Together We Progress Forum, hosted in February by the secretariat general of the Council of Ministers under the leadership of HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, minister of culture, sports, and youth. We weren’ t just providing an exhibition hall: we were hosting a national dialogue. The venue became a space where Omani citizens could speak directly to senior government officials, shaping policies that impact their daily lives. Last year’ s edition led to real legislative changes, and this year’ s forum promises to be just as influential.
Events like these reaffirm why I see OCEC as more than a venue. It’ s an agora, a modern marketplace of ideas where policies are shaped, businesses grow, and communities connect.
Rethinking our impact: sustainability beyond infrastructure OCEC has Gold LEED Certification and an 8,300-panel solar rooftop project as well as EV charging stations and biodiversity-focused landscaping. But true impact goes beyond infrastructure. Through waste segregation, sustainable event planning, and awareness campaigns, we encourage responsible choices that extend beyond our doors, shaping lasting environmental consciousness.
A venue has the power to influence behavioural change, shaping mindsets long after an event ends. That is the responsibility we embrace. n
ISSUE 136 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 59