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Dubai and CSI get ready for April 2008
Dubai has been selected as the venue for the World Travel and Tourism Council summit in April 2008, and CSI has been appointed as the official PCO for the event. An estimated 800 dignitaries and industry representatives - including heads of states, ministers and CEOs - from around the world are expected to attend the annual event. Local organisations DTCM, Emirates and Jumeirah put in their best to win the bid, and CSI was considered the most qualified PCO to manage such a high profile event |
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The administrative capital Abu Dhabi, and the commercial hub Dubai are doing much to attract international events into the UAE. Read more about their latest wins… |
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World Diabetes Congress 2011 in Dubai
Dubai will host the 21st edition of the World Diabetes Congress in 2011 after winning a highly-competitive international bid for the event. Organised under the auspices of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the Congress will see over 12,000 delegates and 500 speakers land in the city. It will also be one of the largest events of its kind to be held in the UAE. It is hoped that the decision to host the World Diabetes Congress in Dubai, and the subsequent win, will increase awareness about the malady and help formulate national policies for prevention, care and treatment of diabetes. The city's bid to host the congress was supported by Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DoHMS), Dubai Convention Bureau, and Dubai Healthcare City. First World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (ADFEC) has signed an agreement with Turret Middle East to organise the first World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in the capital from January 21 to 23, 2008 at the new Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The summit will offer a global cooperative platform in search for solutions to energy security, climate change and sustainable human development, and will bring together some of the world's foremost specialists in an exhibition and conference forum that includes innovations, venture capital and finance, education and enterprise development in the areas of solar energy, carbon dioxide capture and storage, sustainable desalination, and energy efficiency in buildings and industry. The conference will also host 150 renowned speakers alongside the 14,000 square metre exhibition showcasing the present and future state of alternative energy technologies. It is expected to be the largest dedicated gathering of its kind in the world. Dubai in bid for Paediatric Surgeons' Congress
Two Dubai government bodies - Dubai Convention Bureau (DCB) and Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre (DICEC) - are actively engaged in bidding for the next edition of the World Federation of Associations of Paediatric Surgeons Congress. Scheduled to be held in 2011, with an expected 1,000 paediatric surgeons in attendance, Dubai understands only too well the need for the Middle East to attract medical conferences to its shores. The primary focus is to disseminate knowledge and advice from eminent scientists into the region. AEEDC Dubai in March 2008
The International Dental Conference & Arab Dental Exhibition (AEEDC Dubai)
is scheduled to be held from March 4 to 6, 2008 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. AEEDC Dubai 2008 will provide a great opportunity to both leading manufacturers and newcomers to expand their market in the Middle East region and to create new connections with establishments from around the world. The largest dental event in the Middle East, AEEDC Dubai celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2006. The last event attracted 450 major companies from 63 countries, with over 3,600 dentists attending the conference and a record number of 15,725 professional visitors from 113 countries. The overall feedback from all attendees was extremely positive and encouraging. |
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Abu Dhabi revs up for Formula 1 Grand Prix
Abu Dhabi has secured the rights to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix from 2009. One of the world's most prestigious sporting events, the Grand Prix is ranked in the same category as the Olympic Games or the World Cup, and is unrivalled in terms of continuous global resonance. The 2009 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix track is being constructed by Aldar Properties, one of the UAE's leading property development companies, and designed by renowned Formula 1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke. Already under construction, the track is situated on a 2,550 hectare natural leisure island, Yas Island, situated on the east coast of Abu Dhabi and only minutes away from the expanding Abu Dhabi International Airport. |
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Dubai to host Rugby World Cup Sevens in Feb 2009
Dubai beat stiff competition from Australia, the Netherlands, Russia and the US to secure the right to host the fifth edition of the prestigious sporting event. The International Rugby Board (IRB) has confirmed that the 2009 tournament will be the first to incorporate a women's competition.
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Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue to make dramatic additions to their already strong infrastructure. The hospitality, retail, commercial, lifestyle, and public works segments are all featuring new innovations… |
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New metro line to link Dubai's two airports
Dubai's Road and Transport Authority have announced a new metro line to provide a high speed link between Dubai International Airport and World Central Airport, Jebel Ali. The Purple Line, due to launch in December 2012, will cover 49 kms and will have eight stations, three of which will feature airline check-in facilities. The trains on this route will operate automatically with an average speed of 100 kms per hour, reaching a maximum of 160 kms per hour. In comparison, the average speed on the Red Line, currently under construction, will be 45 kms per hour. The trip between the two airports will take approximately 40 minutes including stops at en-route stations. Coral International launches indigenous Ecos Hotels
Coral International Hotels Resorts & Spas have announced the creation of Ecos Hotels. Positioned as the UAE's first economically prudent and environmentally responsible chain of hotels, the brand is targeted at cost conscious travellers. Ecos Hotels is being developed to be an efficient 2-star brand offering best value for money. The size of the hotels could vary between 100 and 200 rooms. Each property will have identical rooms with a 24 hour check-in facility. Coral also aims to operate hotels all over the world after their initial focus on the Middle East. The first hotel under the brand will be located in the UAE.
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Quote unquote "The Dubai Convention Bureau enjoys an excellent working relationship with Congress Solutions International (CSI). CSI have provided invaluable support in helping us ensure our clients receive the very best from the city. We will continue our efforts to work with the private sector in reaching our goals of making Dubai a choice destination for the MICE industry." Awadh Al Ketbi
Executive Director
Convention and Heritage Division
Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) |
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"PEC-ME will deliver an educational and networking experience that will attract MPI members from all over the world to Dubai - connecting provocative meetings and offering industry knowledge to people and cultures from across the planet. We are committed to connecting our members to the opportunities and knowledge that already exist in the Middle East, and also to the ones that are about to emerge." *
Bruce MacMillan
President and CEO
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) *Meeting Professionals International (MPI) announced at the 2007 Abu Dhabi Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) that they would host a Professional Education Conference - Middle East (PEC-ME) from 28 to 31 March 2008 in Dubai, immediately preceding GIBTM.
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Meet the CSI team Natasha Tome-Zwarts - Senior PCO & Event Executive
Natasha hails from Canada where she worked with the prestigious Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts chain dealing with the opening of new properties and maintenance of existing properties. Eager to see the world, she spent 8 years in Amsterdam working with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and handled their annual Congress of 800 delegates including running the marketing and PR campaign for the congress and ICCA itself. Natasha has been with CSI for a year and has already gained an in-depth knowledge of Dubai which contributes to the success of every conference. |
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Emirates - flying the world in and out of Dubai
Emirates, one of the world's most successful airlines, will soon commence services to Toronto starting October 29. The non-stop service between Dubai and Toronto will operate three times a week, and will offer 354 seats - eight luxurious private suites in First class, 42 lie-flat seats in Business class, and a comfortable Economy class cabin for 304 passengers. The Dubai-Toronto non-stop service will take 14 hours and 20 minutes, and a return journey of just over 13 hours. Passengers will enjoy the award-winning service from Emirates' international cabin crew recruited from over 100 countries, meals prepared by gourmet chefs, and the airline's 'ice' (information, communication, entertainment) system with a selection of over 600 channels of entertainment, and the ability to send and receive email and text messages. Earlier this year, Emirates announced plans to start services to Venice in July, Newcastle in September, Sao Paulo in October and Houston in December. Emirates' global route network currently spans 87 cities in 60 countries across Africa, Europe, the Far East, Indian Subcontinent, and North America
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Did you know?
New museums for Abu Dhabi
- The Guggenheim Foundation has embarked on its most ambitious outpost yet - a 300,000 sq ft modern
art museum designed by Frank Gehry on an island off the coast of Abu Dhabi. The extension of the Guggenheim brand from New York, Las Vegas, Venice, Berlin and Bilbao to Abu Dhabi is widely seen
as a coup for the UAE and the Middle East (The Guardian). - Abu Dhabi has agreed to pay a cool €400 million to attach the name of the Louvre to a new museum which it hopes to open in 2012. In exchange for art loans, special exhibitions and management advice, Abu Dhabi will pay France a further €575 million. (International Herald Tribune).
While in the UAE
Can visitors get to drive around?
While on a visit visa, you can drive on an international driving licence. However, you need to carry your national licence too, and this will change if you become a resident. Don't ever drink and drive, as the UAE observes a strict zero alcohol tolerance policy. If you ever have an accident that involves injuries, remain with your car in the exact spot where the accident happened and call the friendly police for assistance.
Are visitors allowed to smoke and drink?
All non-Muslims are allowed to drink alcohol in bars, restaurants, clubs and hotels. Smoking is currently allowed in all places expect where it is clearly marked as a non-smoking zone. During the holy month of Ramadan, it is illegal to eat, drink or smoke in public until the fasting period ends around sundown. However, many of Dubai's restaurants, hotels and clubs are open during the day, and do serve food and beverages to expatriates. When exactly is Ramadan?
Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Ramadan migrates through the seasons, and starts on different days every year. This year, it is estimated to start on September 12 and conclude on October 11. |
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