Oman explores USA for convention opportunities

Oman's standing as a new, emerging destination for international business events was explored at the recent IMEX America convention and meetings industry tradeshow.
An Omani delegation lead by the Omani Government's mandated organisation, Omran, which oversees the development of significant tourism infrastructure projects, attended the event to ensure the country's readiness leading up to the completion of its cornerstone project, the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre in 2016.
Omran Chief Executive Wael Al Lawati, said the objective of the visit was to understand the globalisation strategies of international organisations based in North America, determine how Oman can be part of this and also meet with other countries to share their experiences.
Since its debut into the North American market last year, IMEX America has recorded a 30% growth in exhibitor particpation from 140 countries and 2,400 hosted buyers in attendance in 2012.
Al Lawati explained "our venue operator, AEG Ogden co-ordinated meetings with the executives of the peak convention industry bodies to learn and understand what are the essential elements and services required to win the confidence of the North American meeting planners to choose Oman and implement a strategy to support our capacity building.
"While it is important to have all the infrastructure in place, it is also essential that the Omani community are fully prepared to offer the level of services that is required to host world-class events.
"It is no use building international-standard venues, resorts and hotels if we do not fully understand the exact needs of these key decision makers and have the ability to entice their participants to attend and stay a few extra days to explore Oman's natural beauty and diversity. Omran is focused on developing environmentally sustainable projects, to ensure that every person leaves our shores with the desire to return again and again with their family and friends."
Al Lawati added that the visit was also significant, given the historical treaty of friendship and trade that was signed between the Sultanate of Oman and the United States in 1833, stating "here we are, almost 180 years later, introducing Oman to the US as a new, but significant business events destination."
Accompanying Al Lawati were Ambassador Richard Baltimore, an advisor to the Board and former US Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman and Rochelle Uechtritz, Group Manager, Convention Sales Development with AEG Ogden.
Uechtritz said about 23% of international associations were headquartered in North America and given the already strong trade partnerships between the two nations, it was only fitting to expand on these relationsby attracting international conventions.
She explained "Omanis have been actively involved in international and regional associations for decades and have been asked to host many of the world's most prestigious congresses, however that has not been possible until the development of the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre."
While in the USA, Uechtritz also participated in the annual two-day Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Global Professional Conference aimed at creating strongerawareness and knowledge of Oman to more than 40 international meeting planners.
Strategically positioned in the Sultanate's capital city of Muscat, the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre is located only four kilometres from Muscat International Airport and is scheduled for completion in 2016.
The design of the Centre will ensure a flow of the meetings space to suit the most discerning conference and exhibition organisers. It also incorporated expansive concourse areas to enable ease of large delegations with floor to ceiling windows overlooking landscaped gardens and water features.
The Centre will feature an elaborate tiered auditorium to seat 3,200 while the exhibition halls will feature 22,000 square metre

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