MPI Expands in Dubai, Singapore
Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 4/30/2007
Meeting Professionals Intl. is expanding its global presence with a conference in the Middle East and an office in Southeast Asia.
The April 2008 launch of the Professional Education Conference-Middle East in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, will immediately precede the Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition.
According to Didier Scaillet, MPI vice president of global development, the response to the new event already has been so positive that it could be financially self-sustaining in its first year.
Dubai was picked as the first location of an overseas meeting because, according to Scaillet, "with the continuous development of its meetings industry infrastructure, its role as a regional hub for the Middle East and its appeal as a brand, Dubai was the first choice to provide members with the knowledge needed to conduct business in the region and provide a platform for education in the Middle East."
In addition, MPI plans to open a Singapore office later this year.
Scaillet said the key driver in the global initiative is MPI's membership.
"Our members, planners and suppliers are handling more and more global business. They expressed their need to have MPI provide, on a global basis, the same value propositions that we provide in North America and Europe."
