The move comes after the company finalised an agreement with the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) to establish an entity within the authority’s regulatory framework, a process completed with the consultation and support of the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA).
"Establishing a presence in Qatar is an important strategic move for us,” said Matt Denton, the President of dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa. “It brings with it access to a market of significant potential, as the country's preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2022 continue apace. We also have the honor of being the first events company to establish itself in Qatar under the new initiative from the QFC and QTA. This honor brings with it a considerable responsibility to contribute to the development of the nation’s events sector as a vibrant part of the economy, one that can attract a loyal following of international business visitors.”
dmg events aims to draw on its core construction portfolio, adapting established events to achieve a rapid roll out of well-known brands to the Qatari market. First up it will introduce its interior design exhibition INDEX to the Qatari market, with the event set to debut at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) on 13 – 15 Nov 2017. That launch will be followed by the arrival of Building Services Qatar in February 2018, which will bring together four event brands - Middle East Concrete, Windows Doors and Façades Expo, HVACR Expo and Community Management Week - under one banner. Both events will attract an international audience of exhibitors and visitors numbering in the thousands to the city, which has identified the business events sector as an important area for growth, says the company.
“DECC has been working very closely with the Qatar Tourism Authority to facilitate dmg events’ entry into the Qatari marketplace,” said Jose Vicente, the CEO of DECC. “The prime location of our venue in the centre of Doha is just one of the business advantages we were able to offer their exhibitors. Most of all, Qatar’s attractiveness as a leading communications hub and a booming business environment within the Gulf will be key to the successful launch of the exhibitions. The establishment of dmg events in Qatar and the subsequent event launches are great news for the destination. We are very proud of the role we have had to play in this achievement and look forward to seeing our partnership develop further.”
Entry into the Qatar market is the latest in a growing line of strategic expansion initiatives that have seen dmg events adapt and launch events from its core portfolios in Morocco, across Africa and India and on to Indonesia. dmg events now organises 50 exhibitions across 15 countries in the MENASA region.