Qatar Events Show 2025 Opens With Panel On Events As Economic Engines

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The Qatar Events Show 2025 kicked off Tuesday at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) with a panel discussion, exploring the impact of the events sector on national economic growth and international perception.
Titled 'The Economic Engine: How Events Fuel Local Economies,' the session highlighted the key role of large-scale conferences, exhibitions, and cultural festivals in fostering economic diversification, particularly for nations seeking to expand beyond traditional industries.
Speakers agreed that events are not merely spectacles but significant contributors to a country's economic vitality and global image.
Oak View Group SVP Dr Debbie Kristiansen cited job creation as a primary economic benefit derived from the events industry, saying there are a number of things that contribute to economic impact in a destination, including job creation.
About economic diversification beyond tourism, DECC CEO Jose Vicente shines a spotlight on how major events create vibrant hubs, attracting new industries and fostering local businesses.
He pointed to Qatar's hosting of significant events like the Web Summit as examples that provide growth opportunities for emerging and local companies. He also emphasised the legacy of large events in creating sustainable job opportunities through recurring exhibitions.
Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau director Mubarak Al-Shamisi echoed this view, explaining that various industry sectors within events play a crucial role in creating new opportunities and nurturing creative development to reach new heights.
He also cited the Abu Dhabi Financial Week as an example of how key partnerships can benefit companies, particularly within the events industry.
About the importance of robust infrastructure in holding events, Mangusteen CEO Malik Shishtawi underscored the significance of a strategic central location, with accessible hotels, efficient public transport like the metro, and proximity to world-class airports. In addition, he said knowledge transfer is also a key driver of opportunity within the events sector.
He noted that the GCC region, as a whole, is a hotspot for events, with complementary infrastructures and collaborations enhancing accessibility. This collaborative approach, Shishtawi suggested, facilitates the rotation of events, creating unique, interconnected hubs across destinations like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with potential for similar developments in other GCC countries.
Dubai World Trade Centre EVP Mahir Julfar agreed, citing venues, transportation, and infrastructure as vital elements, and lauded the GCC for its flexibility in accommodating diverse international attendees.
He also shared Dubai's success story, illustrating how collaborative efforts create a larger ecosystem that amplifies the impact of events.
Dr Kristiansen stressed the relevance of maximising event utilization and the critical role of security, lauding the Middle East for its safety. She also pointed to the strategic use of hybrid events to broaden audience reach, generating interest for in-person attendance at future events.
She said people development was another critical aspect, highlighting the value of nurturing individuals with the right attitude and supporting their growth within the hospitality industry, identifying the development of future leaders as paramount Events Show 2025

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