DUBAI DELEGATION IN CHICAGO TO ATTRACT MICE BUSINESS

The Government of Dubai's Department of Tourism Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is representing Dubai at the ongoing (Incentive Travel and Meetings Exhibition (ITME) in Chicago to promote the emirate's attractions as an emerging incentive destination.

"Our participation at ITME is designed to make our presence felt in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) business, and we are capitalizing on the international interest in the staging of the World Bank/IMF annual conference in Dubai in 2003 to attract increased MICE business to Dubai," said DTCM Director General, Khalid A. bin Sulayem.

One of the world's largest gathering of corporate buyers, ITME also attracts a variety of exhibitors from around the world including hotels, airlines, conference centres, theme parks, tour operators, convention service companies, incentive merchandise, travel & meeting destinations, recognition awards and promotional products attracting more than 2,500 suppliers.

"We have been regular participants at the show and this is our twelfth successive participation at the event. We plan to use the show to effectively reach a huge new audience of end-buyers and convey the message that Dubai is among the safest tourist destinations in the world," Mr. bin Sulayem added.

The Dubai team includes DTCM officials as well as seven co-participants including two hotels, four travel trade firms and representatives from Dubai 2003 organising committee. They are exhibiting on a 600 sq. ft. stand at the event incorporating traditional and modern elements of the emirate. Two stand hostesses will be welcoming delegates to the stand with Arabic dates and gahwa (Arabic coffee).