Gulf Focus
Qatar makes smart progress with big new shows and infrastructure
EW looks at four selected destinations in the Gulf and sees good exhbition bookings and big plans for 2024 and beyond
isit Qatar tells EW it is
V seeing the exhibition industry coming back well after Covid and the country ’ s hosting of the FIFA World Cup . “ It ’ s a combination of relaunched events ( like Big 5 and Index ) and new events ( like Geneva International Motorshow Qatar ),” the bureau says .
Qatar is a rich and stable country where GDP has grown annually , on average , 8 % over the past 20 years and GDP per capita was $ 97,097 in 2022 ( fourth highest in the world ), according to Invest Qatar agency .
Skytrax commended Qatar with the World ’ s Best Airline and Airport in 2023 and the connectivity is further endorsed by the fact that 80 % of the world ’ s population is within a six-hour flight of Qatar .
Organisers looking at the country for an event launch might like to consider that Qatar is rated fifth globally for entrepreneurship policies and culture by the WIP Global Innovation Index . It has also been voted the safest country in the world ( Numbeo Safety Index 2023 ) and third globally for ease of finding skilled employees .
All of the above statistics are helping to make the emirate a desired location to stage major events and a small selection of the major exhibitions taking place in 2023 and 2024 , as identified by Visit Qatar , is testimony to this and includes :
• Big 5 and Index ( DMG )
• Cityscape Qatar ( Informa )
• Qatar Travel Mart
• Project Qatar
• Hospitality Qatar
• Geneva International Motorshow Qatar ( Biennial ) Year one in 2023 , next in 2025
• Smart City Expo ( Fira Barcelona ) Smart City Expo Doha 2023 | Smart City Expo Doha
• Doha Jewelry and Watch Exhibition .
To the above new events launched or taking place this year , can be added the inaugural Web Summit Qatar – the February confex that was the world ’ s largest tech event ’ s debut in the Middle East and Africa . The event set several records over the four days it ran at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center ( DECC ), hosting 15,453 attendees from 118 countries . It drew 401 investors , 148 partners and 380 speakers .
Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani , director of the Government Communications Office ( GCO ) and chairman of the Web Summit Qatar 2024 Organising Committee , said : “ The exceptional organisation and the huge turnout we have recorded for a first-year edition showcases our country ’ s capacity to further its role as a leading destination for technology
Right : QNCC exterior , Qatar and innovation in the region .”
Web Summit CEO Katherine Maher said : “ We had the most international Web Summit first-year event we ’ ve ever done . We want more people to come . We want more international startups . We want more connection to the region .”
Looking ahead , and The Smart Manufacturing Exhibition is set to showcase , 27-30 May , many technological advancements and innovations with an emphasis on automation , digitalisation , and intelligent systems . The exhibition will also take place at the DECC . Conteq Expo 2024 , the show for advanced technology for construction and services , is slated for September at the QNCC venue , while Qatar Boat Show ’ s inaugural edition promises an extravagant celebration of marine life , leisure , and luxury at Old Doha Port in November
Mobile World Congress 360 MENA will also return in November .
And Visit Qatar tells us two additional event profiles will be announced later this year .
Much of Qatar ’ s event success comes down to enhanced infrastructure – nearly 40,000 hotel rooms , an extensive public transportation system , flights to over 170 destinations , and visas on arrival for over 100 nationalities , on top of two world-class venues – Doha Exhibition and Convention Center ( 29,000sqm of exhibition space ) and Qatar National Convention Centre ( 40,000sqm of column-free exhibition space over nine halls ).
34 Issue 2 2024 www . exhibitionworld . co . uk