The Sultanate of Oman represented by the Ministry of Tourism and Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre is taking centre stage to build awareness as one of the world's newest and exciting international congress venues. 

With the venue due for completion in late 2016, the operator, AEG Ogden together with the Ministry of Tourism has been actively targeting key decision makers worldwide to ensure they are aware of the many and unique benefits of hosting their events in Sultanate of Oman. 

Following the successful showcasing of the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre at global industry tradeshows, a delegation from the Oman Ministry of Tourism and venue representatives have undertaken the first in a series of exclusive client events in Paris, Geneva, Brussels and London. 

The delegation included Oman Embassy Ambassadors, Directors of the Ministry of Tourism and their representatives in each city location, as well as Oman's leading sportsman, Ahmad Al Harthy, the 2012 Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain Pro-Am 1 Champion. 

More than 80 clients with the potential to bring 65,000 convention delegates to Oman attended these presentations in key European markets. 

Oman's Director General of Tourism Development for the Ministry of Tourism, Mr Salim Al Mamari was upbeat about the collaborative initiatives targeting international convention decision makers. 

"Many of these decision makers are looking for something a little different and unique to help 'globalise' their conventions and at the same time, grow their membership. Oman ticks both of those boxes. 

"With Oman, it's all about telling the story of our 5,000 years of history and our traditional hospitality of welcoming visitors and traders from all over the world. 

"With the completion of the new Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre now closer with every passing day, we must take every opportunity to spread the word and secure international conferences beyond 2016," Mr Al Mamari said. 

For the past two years, AEG Ogden's Group Manager, Convention Sales Development, Rochelle Uechtritz has been working closely with the Omani authorities in the pre-opening global positioning and business development for the venue. "This is my fourth pre-opening of a world-class convention centre in a 'green field 'convention destination and I am genuinely excited about the feedback and interest in the venue, and particularly what Oman as a country has to offer," Ms Uechtritz said. 

Typical of the responses received was this from Ms Suvi Saxen, Manager Asia Pacific for the International Osteoporosis Foundation based in Geneva who said: "Oman has opened my eyes to the beauty of the country and its amazing delegate appeal. Congratulations on the foresight to build such a magnificent venue being the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre within a fully supported convention hub, and I look forward to hopefully bringing our event to Muscat in the coming years." 

-ENDS-

For more information please contact: 
Oman Ministry of Tourism Representative Office in the UK and Ireland
Alison Cryer / Suzanne Halil
Tel: + 44 (0) 208 877 4504 
Email: oman@representationplus.co.uk 
 Visit: www.omantourism.gov.om 

For more information contact: 
Rochelle Uechtritz AEG Ogden Group Manager, Convention Sales Development
E: ruechtritz@aegogden.com
M: +61 400253392 | +968 99213154 
www.omanconvention.com 

Notes to Editors:

About the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre

Due for completion in late 2016, the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre is located in its own fully integrated precinct only four kilometres from Muscat International Airport.

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 two tiered auditoria to seat 3,200 and 450 while the exhibition halls will feature 22,000 square metres of column-free exhibition space. Halls 1 and 2 will have a superior fit out, specialised acoustic treatment, advanced lighting and rigging requirements to act as a multi-purpose space for plenary sessions, concerts, performances, gala events on a larger scale of up to 10,000 seated, theatre-style.

The Centre will also include an additional 14 meeting rooms for 70-360 delegates, two well-appointed ballrooms to seat up to 2,360, VIP Pavilion, a spacious food-court and a multi-storey car park with capacity for 4,000 vehicles.

The Precinct will provide the infrastructure necessary to host successful international, regional and local events and for the enjoyment of the community. These include a five star hotel linked to the convention centre, two four star, and a three star hotel and apartments with a combined total of 1,000 rooms. A business park, retail shopping mall surrounded by a nature reserve which will be a haven for Oman's exotic birdlife, parklands and wadi (valley) park are also part of this picturesque precinct.

www.omanconvention.com