Sheikh Ahmed confirmed as patron for Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2006

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Emirates Airline, has confirmed his patronage of the second Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, to be held on April 29 – May 1, 2006, at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.

The event will run under the theme Oasis or Mirage, as delegates and industry experts reflect and debate on the huge investment and project initiatives in the region – as well as their authenticity and sustainability.

The structure of next year’s event has evolved following delegate response from last year, according to conference organiser Jonathan Worsley.

He said, “For 2006, we have introduced two new conference concepts, MoneytTalklive and Studiolive. MoneyTalklive is a forum for delegates to meet bankers and financiers: as the conference focus has always been geared towards investment, we wanted to put the mechanisms in place to fast-track these opportunities at the conference.

“With Studiolive, we will recreate a TV studio area at the event, so our media partners can broadcast live, and delegates and partners can ensure their message reaches the widest possible audience.”

The main conference sessions will be split between breakout sessions, panel discussions and keynote presentations, with Worsley explaining, “Delegates commented on the importance of mixing up the pace between content-driven discussion sessions, and inspirational addresses. Our advisory board of 40 industry leaders have been working to put together another headline-winning event.”

The conference will debate issues as diverse as economic and industry trends, investment opportunities, finance issues, construction and design, sustainable development, condos and management contracts.

Following on from the oversubscribed first event, the organisers have put together a special social programme for 2006.

Worsley said, “We will be staging a traditional Arabian welcome at Mina A’Salam on the eve of the conference, before moving to a reception and dinner at the brand new Kempinski Mall of the Emirates after the first day – complete with ski competition on the indoor slope. Then, following on from last year’s reception at The World, we will close with a Party on The Palm at Jebel Ali.”

The 2005 Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, held as a precursor to the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, was sold out with 525 delegates from the Middle East and around the world, and underlined the strong growth rate in the regional hotel sector.

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