Le Meridien Al Aqah opens Conference and Banqueting Centre

Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort Fujairah recently opened its Conference and Banqueting centre - the largest such facility in the East Coast. Coinciding with the launch, the hotel also announced highly attractive inaugural "Daily Delegate Packages", starting from AED 75 per head valid right through the summer with nominal supplements for the season thereafter.

The state-of-the-art facility, which was formally inaugurated by His Excellency Sheikh Saeed bin Saeed Al Sharqi, Chairman, Fujairah Tourism Board (FTB), is specially designed to cater to the growing demand for international standard conferencing facilities in the UAE - from both within and outside the country.

Sheikh Saeed bin Saeed Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Fujairah Tourism Bureau and Patrick Antaki, Hotel Manager shake hands after the inauguration of the conference centre

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Patrick Antaki, Hotel Manager of the Le Meridien Al Aqah commented, "With work culture and the dynamics of organisations undergoing a radical change, more corporate and business houses are perceiving conferences as more than just a medium of educating their staff, sharing and exchanging perspectives, and reviewing strategies. Conferences are now considered a means to team bonding as also a motivational medium to reward employees for their proficiency.

"In fact globally, as well as in the region, the trend in the corporate world is towards moving conferences and conventions out of the rigid confines of boardrooms to more exotic destinations, transforming brainstorming into a pleasurable experience.

"With its idyllic and scenic surroundings, coupled with several leisure and recreational facilities, Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort represents one of the most ideal settings for conferences and conventions in the UAE." Mr. Antaki concluded.

The elegant ballroom in the centre covers an area of approximately 500 square metres and can accommodate up to 530 delegates. There is a large pre function area with three meeting rooms that are ideal as break out areas. In addition, the 24-hour business centre, which is fully equipped with the latest computing facilities and high-speed Internet connectivity, also has three meeting rooms attached to it.

Along with these meeting rooms, there is also a boardroom on the same floor as the business centre where smaller conferences may be held. The conference centre is directly linked to the main hotel building but also has a separate entrance for the convenience of delegates.

Dismissing the widely held notion that leisure convention facilities are premium priced, Mr. Antaki further said: "Our introductory summer packages start for as little as AED 75 per person, which is in fact much lower than city-based convention centres. Moreover, the price includes access to all the state of the art conference and banqueting facilities available at the hotel as well as lunch and periodic tea/coffee breaks."

"Furthermore team building and coffee/tea breaks can be tailor-made as per the requirements of the client. For example, a conventional coffee break can be turned into a perk-up break where we will provide the delegates with energy drinks, juices, high protein shakes and healthy snacks prepared especially for them by our chefs. Team building activities such as beach volleyball can also be arranged." 

"Additionally special sessions can be conducted on the landscaped lawns or the private beach of the hotel, representing a welcome change from the usual staid venues. In fact depending on the agenda of each conference we will suggest a tailor-made programme of activities best suited to the event," added Antaki.

An extensive range of outdoor activities is available to guests including a variety of water sports, diving, boat trips and desert excursions. For those delegates who prefer to be indoors, there is the Wellness Centre featuring Cleopatra Spa Rooms. 

The hotel also has a wide selection of dining venue options, including Taste, the hotel's signature restaurant, Views restaurant with its themed buffet and the Baywatch Restaurant complex by the beach.