The first UFI Expert Day in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was hosted by Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) on 1 October 2023.
The one-day event focused on attracting new events and exhibitions, announcing new projects in the Kingdom, and saw over 60 leading Industry experts from the International and regional MICE communities take part.
The UFI expert day attendees took advantage of the UFI network to build connections with MICE new partners and private sector key players, in addition to showcasing Bahrain’s appeal as a leading regional hub of MICE industry.
The UFI expert day provided insight into the “Status of the MICE Industry in the Kingdom of Bahrain”, its contribution to the local economy, as well as EWB’s vital role in supporting Bahrain’s Tourism Strategy 2022-2026.
Topics covered included the “Impact of AI and the Future Role of Data in the Exhibition Industry”, how artificial intelligence is powering the exhibitions of the future, and how artificial intelligence can help complement both face-to-face and in-person.
On the event CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), Nasser Qaedi, comments, “EWB is an iconic milestone for the Kingdom’s infrastructure and will add value to the tourism sector, leading Bahrain to transform into the ideal regional MICE choice, and we are steadily committed to achieving the tourism strategy goals to promote Bahrain as the international hub for business tourism.”
“As part of our vigorous endeavour to boost inbound tourism, we'll be unveiling several brand-new major global events and projects soon, which will have a positive impact on the tourism attractiveness of the Kingdom.”
Debbie Kristiansen, general manager of Exhibition World Bahrain, adds: “This prominent event comes at a time when Bahrain has become exceptionally competent to lead the MICE industry regionally and internationally with its largest convention and exhibition centre (EWB).
“It provides the premiere momentum to attract world-class events and promote the Kingdom as a top destination for MICE, entertainment, business tourism, hospitality, large weddings and much more.”
