For the first time in the region, the 6th Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM), which runs from March 26-28 2012, will hold free-to-attend, interactive Arabic sessions for all attendees at the show; a significant milestone for the growing meetings and events industry in the Middle East.
Recognising the growing strength of business travel across the region, Reed Travel Exhibitions is honoured to welcome Ask Ali.com as an Official Sponsor of GIBTM and welcome Ali Al Saloom. As a well-recognized industry expert and Cultural Tourism Consultant at Embrace Arabia Consultancy, he will deliver a highly anticipated seminar to the local community.

Mr. Al Saloom will discuss how business travel in the region is a modern interpretation of the age-old concept of the Majlis, and how the biggest opportunity in the region is linking business tourism with Arabic traditions and culture.

“This new Arabic addition to the educational programme is groundbreaking for GIBTM. It is the first time that Arabic seminars have been run in the region solely dedicated to the MICE industry and will promote the Middle East as an important business hub of the 21st century,” said Lois Hall, REED Travel Exhibitions Manager GIBTM.

Given his strong connection to UAE’s history and culture, Mr. Al Saloom will bring his expertise of the local culture to the global audience at GIBTM. He will offer participants a deeper understanding of how to protect, promote and develop the authentic Arabic meeting format of the Majlis, while ensuring compatibility with international trends.

“It is a great honour for me to be chosen to introduce the wonderful world of MICE to my fellow countrymen and to the people of the region’ said Ali Al Saloom.  “The MICE industry has enormous regional significance and great potential. However, I think that many potential local and regional players in the market don’t fully understand that potential. It is in our nature as Arabs, if we don’t know or understand something, to feel embarrassed to ask. So I look forward to explaining why MICE matters and to do so Inshallah in the Arabic language in my native Khaleji dialect.”

This seminar will highlight how businesses can add a local touch to otherwise “business-as-usual” events, to cater to their local clients’ needs. Ali Al Saloom aka ‘Ask Ali’ will inspire participants to become aware of the regional traditions and use them to their advantage and for regional branding.

AskAli.com is the leading regional website for business travellers and tourists alike to ask all kinds of questions regarding Emirati and Arabic culture; travel tips, history, religion, architecture, and even archaeology news.

Held under the patronage of Chairman, HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, GIBTM 2012’s distinguished industry partners include Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), ADNEC, Etihad Airways and The Vision Destination Management Company. Meetme, published by NPI, is a global media partner and publisher of the official show daily publication.