Dubai's Al Safeer Congress Ambassadors Recognized for Driving Business Events Rebound

• Al Safeer Congress Ambassador Programmes annual appreciation ceremony held at Intercontinental Dubai Festival City
• Since establishment of programme in 2010, ambassadors have helped to win over 180 events bringing almost 250,000 global experts and thought leaders to the city

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 7 March 2021:Recognising their role in spearheading efforts to attract international business events to the city and creating a platform to lead the global business events rebound, Dubai Tourism has honoured its Al Safeer Congress Ambassadors. Encompassing healthcare professionals, scientists, industry experts, academics, business leaders and government officials from across the city, the Al Safeer Congress Ambassador Programme members have been leading the way in bidding for and winning significant international conferences and congresses for Dubai and defining it as both a knowledge hub and a leading business events destination.

Dubai Business Events (DBE), the citys official convention bureau and a division of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, presented awards to 12 member organisations at the Programmes annual appreciation ceremony, held on 3 March at the Intercontinental Dubai Festival City. Over 150 ambassadors and business events stakeholders attended the event.

Despite the pandemic, the Al Safeer Congress Ambassador Programme last year supported in securing a number of international association conferences that are to be hosted in Dubai over the coming years, set to attract over 16,500 industry-specific professionals and experts from around the world. Among the events won in 2020 thanks to the contributions of Ambassadors were: World Marinas Conference 2021, World Congress of Direct Selling 2023, and World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems 2024.

Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said:"Once again we congratulate and express gratitude to all our ambassadors for their commitment and vital contributions towards securing leading international business events for the city. The Al Safeer Congress Ambassador Programme plays a critical role in building on Dubais status as global knowledge hub, and it was particularly noteworthy that amid the cancellation and postponement of many events, our proactive ambassadors persisted in engaging with their colleagues globally and reinforcing Dubais strengths as a host city."

"Dubai has led the global rebound not only in tourism, but also in business events, and the city remains one of the few in the world to be safely hosting international conferences, congresses, exhibitions and other meetings. In a year in which the city will begin hosting Expo 2020 Dubai and the nation will mark its 50^thanniversary, we welcome interest from potential ambassadors to help propel the knowledge economy further forward by joining us to demonstrate the citys ability to host successful and impactful events."

Established in 2010, the Al Safeer Congress Ambassador Programme has been at the heart of Dubai's growth as a business events destination, by the end of 2020 playing a role in successfully bringing over 180 events with almost 250,000 delegates in attendance to Dubai.

In addition to the awards, last weeks event also had an educational element, with Dubai Tourism providing an overview of how the sector has navigated through the pandemic and the foundations laid for a strong rebound. A panel discussion featuring leading members of the Al Safeer programme and meeting industry experts also explored how they navigated the new reality when organising events and embraced innovation and fresh thinking to maximise their events potential. International Keynote Speaker, Broadcaster and Trainer David Meade also appeared virtually to discuss his experiences with hybrid events over the past year and share insights into the future of events.

Organisations recognised and events won:

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About Dubai Business Events the Official Convention Bureau

Dubai Business Events (DBE) the Official Convention Bureau, aims to further develop and increase Dubai's share of the international business events market in order to grow economic development, jobs and knowledge creation in the emirate. DBEs main goal, as a division of Dubai Tourism, is to establish the Emirate as a premier business event destination by helping organizers of international meetings, incentives, congresses and exhibitions plan and manage every aspect of their event. As a member of BestCities Global Alliance DBE aim to deliver the world's best service experience for the meeting industry.

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About Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism)

With the ultimate vision of positioning Dubai as the world's leading tourism destination and commercial hub, Dubai Tourism's mission is to increase the awareness of Dubai among global audiences and to attract tourists and inward investment into the emirate. Dubai Tourism is the principal authority for the planning, supervision, development and marketing of Dubai's tourism sector. It markets and promotes the Emirates commerce sector, and is responsible for the licensing and classification of all tourism services, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. Brands and departments within the Dubai Tourism portfolio include Dubai Business Events, Dubai Calendar, and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment.