By Julian Flemming www.iewy.com
Congress Solutions International (CSI), part of Dubai-based Emirates airline, is set to welcome thousands of delegates and visitors to the 59th UITP World Congress and Mobility and City Transport Exhibition, which is being hosted for the first time in Dubai in April. CSI is the official Professional Congress Organiser (PCO), appointed by the Roads Transport Authority (RTA).
The leading forum for the international public transport sector, the UITP Word Congress is a bi-annual event which this year will take place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 10-14 April. It brings together high-level professionals from around the world in order to share knowledge and engage in discussions on future transport provision. This year, the Congress will be hosted by Dubai’s RTA. The RTA is responsible for the development and legislation of integrated road systems as well as land and marine transport networks that are safe and in line with Dubai’s economic development plans and meet the highest international standards.
CSI will be responsible for approximately 2,000 delegates, 5,000 visitors and over 250 exhibitors from over 90 countries attending the event. CSI’s responsibilities include: organising hotel accommodation; organising all visa requirements as well as meeting and assisting exhibitors and delegates at the airport; and arranging a comprehensive social programme, including the UITP President’s and Local Host Reception at Dubai World Trade Centre, a networking dinner at Meydan and a cultural evening at Heritage Village as well as securing approved targets for all sponsorship and exhibition sales in the MENA region.
“An event of this size creates a number of significant challenges which need to be properly managed and coordinated to ensure its success. An exhibition of this size and type needs an experienced and professional PCO that the event organisers can rely on,” said Peter Payet, Senior Vice President, Congress Solutions International. “Given the additional challenges created by the current economic climate, it was also essential that the UITP World Congress and Mobility & City Transport Exhibition in Dubai reached its commercial targets in terms of securing sufficient sponsorship and exhibitors. In the true spirit of the CSI organization, we have delivered on the RTA’s expectations and look forward to welcoming everyone in April.”
Dubai had stiff competition from a shortlist of other major international cities to win the original bid, which was secured by the RTA and the Dubai World Trade Centre. Its success underscores the fact that Dubai has made phenomenal progress in developing its transport infrastructure, in particular the Metro, in only a short period of time. CSI was appointed by RTA as the PCO because of its unparalleled proven track-record in hosting large meetings and congresses, and the high level and quality of services it provides.
“By hosting the UITP World Congress and Mobility & City Transport Exhibition, we have created a platform to showcase the tremendous progress that has been made in the development of a comprehensive public transport network across Dubai,” added Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, RTA Member of the Board of Directors, Head of UITP Local Host Committee 2011. “We have also created a global forum that will bring together leading professionals from around the world to discuss a wide variety of issues and trends affecting the sector. As one of the largest events to be brought to Dubai it was important to secure an experienced PCO and we are delighted with the preparations so far and are confident that it will be a great success.”
In addition to placing Dubai on the global map as a country with an efficient modern transport infrastructure, the UITP World Congress is extremely good news for the UAE economy – most delegates will stay an average of four nights, which means approximately 8,000 hotel nights in total. In addition, the average daily spend per delegate on eating out, shopping and tourist activities is on average four times the spend of a leisure traveller at around AED 800-1,000, ensuring a significant contribution to the local economy.
