Saudi Arabia, 12 April 2018:  Expo Centre Sharjah welcomed a delegation from the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center on Tuesday. The delegation was on an official visit to discuss areas of cooperation and to explore the Centre’s best practices in terms of organizing exhibitions and conferences. 

The two sides held a meeting at Expo Centre Sharjah, where Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, Board Member of UFI, and Chairman of the Arabian Gulf Chapter of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), demonstrated the centre’s 2018-2022 strategy to the guests, and gave an overview of most of the events that are hosted by the centre, and the services and facilities that are offered to investors and visitors.

Saif Al Midfa and the visiting delegation, which was headed by Majid A. Al-Hokair, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Riyadh International Conference and Exhibition Center, discussed methods of strengthening cooperation and developing partnerships to enhance the performance of the exhibitions and conferences industry in both countries, in addition to enhancing the exchange of experiences between the two centres.

The meeting was held in light of the appointment of both Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, and Mahir Abdulkarim Julfar, Vice President of the Dubai World Trade Centre, to the new Board of Directors of the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, which is considered one of the most prominent facilities that fall under the umbrella of the Riyadh Chamber. The appointments came as part of the Riyadh center’s endeavours to seek the UAE’s vast experience in the exhibition industry.

HE Saif Mohammed Al Midfa stressed that Expo Centre Sharjah is keen to cooperate with the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center in order to develop the exhibition industry in Saudi Arabia. He added that the cooperation between both centres represents a positive step and helps to enhance the exhibition industry in the gulf region and Saudi Arabic specifically, which aids in enhancing the reputation of the exhibitions and conferences that are held in the country.

HE Majid bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Hokair, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Riyadh Convention and Exhibition Center, said: 'The Riyadh Center is honoured with the appointment of Saif Mohammed Al Midfa and Mahir Abdulkarim Julfar to the new Board of Directors for the center. The delegation is also pleased to visit Expo Centre Sharjah to review the centre’s valuable experience in the exhibitions industry, which has enabled the delegation to get acquainted with the centre’s best practices in the field of organizing exhibitions and conferences.”

The meeting was attended by representatives from the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, which included HE Khalid Al Zahrani, CEO of the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, and Board Members of the centre, which included HE Dr. Ihab Abu Rukba, HE Ahmed Al Munifi, HE Musahid Al Saeed and HE Ahmed Al Swailem.

The meeting was also attended by representatives of Expo Centre Sharjah, which included P. Ravi, Director of Sales and Marketing; Moataz Mohammed, Director of Operations and Security; Sultan Shataf, Director of Development and Marketing; Marwan Al Mashghouni, Director of Government Relations; Sandeep Bolar, Business Development Manager; and Sultan Al Bahr, Public Relations Assistant.

The delegation toured Expo Centre Sharjah and reviewed the centre’s facilities. The delegation also got acquainted with the organizational and logistical capabilities that the centre offers to exhibitors and visitors. At the end of the meeting, HE Saif Al Midfa presented the delegation with shields and symbolic gifts from the MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show, which ended its run 2 days ago.