Gulf Focus
Oman CES 2024 : taking strategic strides to realise 2040 Vision
T he Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre ( OCEC ) in Muscat is leading the way on the country ’ s strategy to attract large-scale international and regional events with a significant impact on the Sultanate ’ s economic development . The OCEC expects to welcome over 16 international and regional events in 2024 .
Big events hosted this year at the OCEC include the Middle East Space Conference , the International Occupational Health Summit and the General Arab Insurance Federation Conference , as well as the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists ( RCOG ) World Congress and the annual Green Hydrogen Summit , a major regional event on green energy transition .
Eng . Said Al Shanfari , CEO of the OCEC explains his confidence in the veenue ’ s growth for 2024 : “ This year , we have three strategic drivers : sustainability , digitalisation , and inclusivity . Our aim is to make our venue a space for all , investing in the right technologies and creating new opportunities for organisers and visitors alike . Our project will also focus on making the OCEC a sustainable venue . I am grateful to the local associations for their
Abu Dhabi support in enabling us to attract international events to Oman ”.
The OCEC has experienced an exceptional rebound post-Covid-19 with around 1.5 million visitors welcomed at the Centre in 2023 , a 25 % increase from 2022 figures .
Aligned with Oman ’ s 2040 Tourism Vision , and broader Oman Vision 2040 strategy , the OCEC looks to continue strengthening existing partnerships , and establishing new business relationships among a growing list of local , regional , and international markets .
Abu Dhabi is reporting new anchored tradeshows in Abu Dhabi , namely :
• Paper & Tissue One Show , 16-18 April .
• Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week , 13-15 May .
• Abu Dhabi Mobility Week , 24 April-1 May .
• Global Rail Transport Infrastructure Exhibition & Conference , 8-10 October .
Cyber security show HITB returns to Abu Dhabi , with a new JV between them and Messe Frankfurt . The event was originally planned for May but is now postponed to 25-28 November 2024 at the Etihad Arena .
Above : Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre
OCEC is a LEED ( Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ) certified complex and also a flagship establishment in the Oman Tourism Development Company SAOC ( OMRAN ) portfolio of major tourism , heritage , urban and mixed-use projects .
OCEC recently signed an agreement with TotalEnergies Renewables Distributed Generation Middle East & Africa ( DG MEA ), a wholly owned affiliate of TotalEnergies , to develop a rooftop solar photovoltaic project that will enable OCEC to become Oman ’ s premier green venue . The 4.6 megawatt-peak ( MWp ) solar rooftop is expected to produce over 7,000 megawatts-hours ( MWh ) providing sufficient energy to cover the OCEC ’ s annual electricity consumption .
In February , OCEC welcomed the General Arab Insurance Federation for their annual conference , during which over 2,450 delegates from 93 countries came to Oman . A total of 78 companies and attendees were accommodated across 32 hotels .
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