Saeed Al Khotani Saudi Gazette RIYADH – Prince Khalid Al Faisal, Makkah Region Governor, will patronize the Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions Forum (SCEF) today (Nov. 3) at the Jeddah Hilton hotel. Prince Sultan Bin Salman, President of Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, will lead a large contingent of top officials and experts in the field of tourism, conferences, and exhibitions industry. Two prominent Saudi business leaders welcomed the event and commended it as the first event organized by the newly established government agency for organizing conference and exhibition. Engineer Abdullah Al Mubti, Chairman of the Council of Saudi Chambers headquartered in Riyadh, said that organization of the event is a boost to the field of conference and exhibitions in the Kingdom. It hoped that it will pave the way for the removal of the many investment barriers in the sector. Dr. Abdulrahaman Al Zamil, Chairman of Riyadh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said conference and exhibition market represents a lively sector and promising one. It is hoped that the event will promote further this type of industry that helps to promote national products and services both locally and internationally and eventually wil lead to more job opportunities for Saudis. During the two-day event, a host of topic related to SCEF will be discussed by both local and international experts, such as an overview of Saudi Arabia's MICE industry, analyzing strengths and weaknesses in the Saudi MICE Sector, and revelation of the 5-year plan to develop the Saudi Conventions& Exhibition Bureau. Also from these topics, studying the regulatory procedures to identify the considerable scenarios of change, security and social controls for exhibitions and conferences, an Insight for conference and exhibition organizers on the procedures for licensing and attendance for conferences and exhibitions, and how the Saudi customs process works with your event The event, researched and developed by International Quality and Productivity Center (IQPC) and spearheaded by the Saudi Commission of Tourism & Antiquities is supported by a host of governed departments and private sector organizations. The supporters include Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority, Council of Saudi Chambers, Jeddah Chamber of Commerce, Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, Saudi Exhibition & Conventions Bureau. Speaking on the importance of the event to the MICE market, Symon Rubens, Regional Managing Director, IQPC Middle East, said: “The potential for the Saudi MICE industry is huge and this is evidenced by the support that we have received by the SCTA and the various ministries and chambers of commerce involved in this event. A strong MICE industry can only benefit the Kingdom as whole.” SCEF aims at achieving a number of objectives like transfer knowledge from international and local experiences for the benefit of the development of the MICE industry in Saudi Arabia and highlighting the importance of the MICE industry and its role in the development of the economy in general and tourism in particular. Also, it aims at increasing communication between all stakeholders in field of MICE, spreading awareness across the Kingdom about the benefits of this robust field and increasing investments in projects in it. High caliber of government, leading businessmen and international expert will be participating and speaking at the event. Among them Dr. Abdulrahman Bin Abdullah Al Zamil, Chairman of Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Sheikh Saleh Kamel, Chairman of Jeddah Chambers of Commerce and Industry; Hussain Bin Saad Al Faraj, Head of the National Exhibitions Committee at Saudi Council of Chambers; Hugo Slimbrouck , Director, MCI Group; and Cathy Breden, Chief Operating Officer at International Association of Exhibitions & Events.
