SEMINARS
AT Mezzanine Level, Dubai World Trade Centre
Wednesday, May 2
10.30am: Country As Brand, the ultimate marketing challenge by Rina Plapler, executive director, brand experience, FutureBrand.
11.30am: Engaging the National Psyche for Delivery by Judy Neil, consultant, FHS Global.
12.30pm: Service Recovery by Karen Storey, managing partner, X-Logic.
1.30pm: MICE industry in the GCC and Middle East, by Rob Nicholas, publisher, NPI Media.
2.30pm: Branding Destinations by Steve Cranford, CEO, Whisper.
3.30pm: Let the Journey begin by Carolyn Wincer, head of sales, Virgin Space Galactic.
4.30pm: An Overview of Industry and Market Trends within Asia by Louise Butler, director of membership services; and Nicki Page, regional director of GCC; PATA.
Thursday, May 3
10.30am: The “Budget” hotel market and the challenges and benefits of doing business in the Middle East by Andrew Lavoipierre, executive director – operations, Easy Hotels.
11.30am: The new trend of cruising and cruises by Dario Rustico, director of sales, Costa Cruises.
12.30pm: Asia-Pacific MICE trends both inbound and outbound from the MENA region by David van der Meulen, Middle East MICE, editor, Middle East MICE & Events magazine.
1.30pm: Sports and Tourism – a winning team, by Roberto Passariello, director of communication and marketing, Eurosport.
2.30pm: 10 years of Travel E-commerce by Murad Hajeebhoy, vice-president Partner Services Group, EMEA; and Jörg Burtscheidt, regional director, Northern and Central Europe, Middle East & Indian Ocean; Expedia.
3.30pm: US-VISIT: An Update by Kimberly Weissman and Matthew Coughlin, spokespersons, US-VISIT.
4.30pm: Ras Al Khaimah – Building the newest Tourism Hot Spot in the UAE by Hilary McCormack.
SOCIAL EVENTS
Wednesday, May 2
1pm to 2pm: Meridian Club Lunch by Four Seasons Golf Club Dubai Festival City, open to Meridian Club members and hosted buyers; at Meridien Club/Hosted Buyer Lounge. Contact: Adrienne.O’Brien@fourseasons.com.
4.30pm to 7.30pm: Hosted Buyer Event, thrown by Net Group, open to hosted buyers; at 1001 Arabian Nights Desert Camp. Contact: info@ATMhostedbuyer.com
6.30pm: A Night at Al Sahra, hosted by Dubailand and Dubai Heritage Village, by invitation only, at Al Sahra Desert Resort, Dubailand. Contact: katrina.dawson@dhvdubai.com.