1500 meetings at MICE Arabia
The fourth MICE Arabia Congress concluded recently at the Palazzo Versace in Dubai. Approximately 1500 one-on-one meetings were held during the two day event organised by QnA International.
Companies have utilised the practice of outbound training which has included the hosting of incentive activities and events to build employee rapport, teamwork, and communicate company strategies and missions, while present in an enjoyable environment.
Speakers at the recently concluded MICE Arabia Congress 2016 suggested that outbound business travel is fast becoming a core part of the outbound training, development programmes and incentives, especially for organisations in GCC.
Organised by QnA International, the fourth of the MICE Arabia Congress, focused on outbound business and luxury travel from the GCC. Speaking about developments in the MICE industry, Karthik Ramamurthy, Head-Africa, India and Middle East, Ipsos Business Consulting, noted, “While business travel has been the norm for organisations across the globe, organisations with regional, global, and factory headquarters are adding a new dimension to outbound business travel by creating onthe-job learning programmes through industry immersion programmes. The travel is sponsored by the brand as an incentive for the franchisee employees to visit the headquarters. This helps in the development of indigenous talent from GCC.
“As companies in GCC become progressively transnational and some regional headquarters take up base in the region, business trips for employees and partners are planned to provide a glimpse of new cultures and an opportunity to learn nuances of doing business. In the context of multi-cultural teams, companies look at MICE as an opportunity to strengthen and build the team bonding amongst the employees and as a tool to increase the sense of belonging,” Ramamurthy said.
A common issue faced by many companies in GCC is the obtaining of visas and ensuring halal food is easily available at the chosen destinations. As teams in the region are composed of different nationalities, securing visas for all those intended for travel is sometimes a challenge.
Speaking from a travel management company’s (TMC) perspective, Daniel Ponzo, GM, Al Rostamani Travel & Holidays, said, “Availability of venues, meeting customer event cost expecta- tions, last minute operational modifications and providing the technological interfaces, such as Apps, so that business travellers can follow their trip and interact with the travel company directly from their very own devices, such as a smartphone or tablet, are some of the more challenging yet necessary services that TMCs should provide.”
“The two-day Congress imparted knowledge on some surprising and interesting developments in outbound business travel from GCC. It was great to see that the participants engaged in a frank exchange of ideas and thoughts related to the trends, challenges and new developments in the industry. This year’s Congress ended on a good note with close to about 1,500 one-on-one meetings, and about 300 attendees,” noted Sidh N.C., Director, QnA International.
While business travel has been the norm for organisations across the globe, organisations with regional, global, and factory headquarters are adding a new dimension to outbound business travel It was great to see that the participants engaged in a frank exchange of ideas and thoughts related to the trends, challenges and new developments in the industry. There were close to about 1,500 one-on-one meetings, and 300 attendees