Bahrain – The new exhibition and convention development @bahrain has appointed the former deputy CEO of the Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority (BECA) as CEO of its signature building.
Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen takes the helm at expo@bahrain, the symbolic 'front door’ of the new exhibition and convention development, after driving ‘significant’ business to the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC).
The @bahrain complex, adjacent to the Bahrain Formula 1 race track, will offer 145,000 square metres of space, providing capacity for 5,000 delegates and up to 30,000 daily visitors for MICE professionals when it opens in 2013.
Stanford-Kristiansen, who reports to the group CEO of @bahrain, Nicola Pero, spent six years on the Board of SITE (Society of Incentive and Travel Executives) Great Britain and Ireland chapter, including two years as chapter president. She also worked extensively with the Caribbean Hotel Association developing their Caribbean Incentive Travel and meetings product for UK MICE Planners. She was appointed to her most recent role at BECA in early 2008.
“During her 22 years of experience gained around the world, she has consistently delivered strength in numbers as a results-driven MICE professional, so Debbie is well-suited to being the driving force behind our exhibition and convention business,” said Pero.
The BIECC is now booked for the next three years due to high demand, and all existing events will transfer to expo@bahrain when the new facilities open.
