Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey and director Sam Mendes were among an all star cast who flew into Qatar earlier this month to stage Shakespeare’s Richard III at the brand new
Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).

Qatar was the only Middle Eastern destination included on the production’s global tour.

Doha’s newest convention centre which opened earlier this month, is a member of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, advancing the destination’s objective to become the new global hub for ideas and innovation.

On opening the centre, QNCC’s General Manager, Adam Mather-Brown described the occasion as “exhilarating”.

“The QNCC is not just a meeting place, it’s a vision that has materialized from years of hard work and dedication involving many multi-skilled teams,” he said.

The stunning venue has already played host to two major international forums including the 4th United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Forum (UNAOC) and the 20th World Petroleum Congress (WPC), marking the first congress ever hosted in thee Middle East and the largest oil and gas gathering in the world.

Major events that are set to take place in QNCC next year include Waterworld Middle East, Power Gen Middle East and The SPE International Production and Operations Conference and Exhibition (POCE).

With its state-of-the-art facilities, cutting edge technology and iconic design, the QNCC today is one of the most sophisticated convention and exhibition centres in the world.

The project was given the go-ahead in 2004, with construction commencing two years later. Now, after five and a half years of construction and planning, the QNCC is ready to welcome the world.

Designed by renowned Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, the Centre boasts a stunning signature façade, a 250 metre long, curved steel tree structure reaching up to support the exterior canopy. The design of the building was inspired by the local Qatari icon, the Sidra tree, symbolizing

Qatar Foundation’s three key pillars of education, science and research, and community development. The tree is a beacon of learning and comfort in the desert which traditionally provided shelter for scholars and poets to gather, and to
exchange and share knowledge.

The opening of the QNCC is expected to advance Qatar in the field of infrastructure and build human capacity on a global scale, according to Engineer Saad Al Muhannadi, Qatar Foundation, Vice President of Capital Projects and Facilities Management,

With a 2,300 seat lyric theatre, three auditoria, a multipurpose conference hall for 4,000 guests, 40,000 square metres exhibition space and 52 meeting rooms, the Centre could accommodate 27,000 people in the venue at one time. QNCC is the first of its kind built to the gold certification of the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED).

World Travel Awards Grand Final Ceremony

The prestigious World Travel Awards Grand Final will take place on January 11th at the Katara in Doha. Qatar is recognised as the Middle East’s Leading Business Destination by the prestigious World Travel Awards.

Graham Cooke, president and founder, World Travel Awards, highlights how his organisation selects host destinations that are driving the industry to new heights through innovation and experimentation.

He said: “We are delighted to host our Grand Final Gala Ceremony in Qatar as it is such an exciting place to be right now with incredible opportunities within the luxury sector.

“Our Grand Final will see the winners of our five regional heats, who represent the cream of the global travel and tourism industry, compete head to head for the ultimate travel accolade.”