Gillian Taylor Joins Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre as Director of Business Development

The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC), scheduled to open in 2016, has appointed the highly regarded Ms. Gillian Taylor as Director of Business Development.

Ms. Taylor joins the Centre after having worked for the Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority for the past eight years.

Previously, she served as a Board Member of the Society of International Travel Executives (SITE) and Australia’s Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau (now Business Events Sydney).

Prior to Abu Dhabi, she was General Manager for a destination management company in Sydney for more than 10 years.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of the Sultanate’s vision to position itself as a serious contender for world congresses and major events. Oman has been asked to host so many international conventions that have not been possible before the development of this superb venue and I will work in collaboration with all Omani stakeholders, the Ministry of Tourism, and the academic community to make that dream a reality,” Ms. Taylor said.

Another appointment is Mr. John Burke as Director of Operations. Mr. Burke brings extensive operational experience to the venue having served most recently at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha and prior to that, over 15 years with the NEC Group in the United Kingdom which included the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) Birmingham, International Convention Centre (ICC) Birmingham, LG Arena and National Indoor Arena (NIA). Mr. Burke will also assume the joint role of OCEC’s Technical Assets Manager.

Other appointments include Mr. Salim Al Flaiti as Director of Human Resources, Mr. Ahmed Al Habsi as Director of Finance & Administration and Mr. Akram Al Maawali as Protocol and Liaison Manager.