Manama: The ICCA Middle East Summit 2025, hosted for the first time in Bahrain, brought together leaders, innovators, and decision-makers from the global meetings and events industry. The summit highlighted the region's growing prominence as a hub for business events and explored strategies that use technology, sustainability, and infrastructure to support economic growth.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Dr. Senthil Gopinath, Chief Executive Officer of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), underscored the importance of infrastructure in positioning a city as a global meeting destination. He described convention centres and hotels not merely as venues, but as catalysts that bring a city's vision to life and elevate its business sector.
He emphasised that Bahrain's facilities offer a strong foundation for international meetings, and the Kingdom's focus on quality infrastructure signals a long-term strategy for growth in the meetings industry. "In our business, infrastructure plays a vital role. A convention centre or hotel activates the city's vision and elevates the business sector. It puts the destination on the global map," Dr. Gopinath said, highlighting Bahrain's potential as a venue for international association meetings.
Reflecting on the Middle East's rise as a business events hub, Dr. Gopinath noted that the engagement of multiple industries, from healthcare to manufacturing, demonstrates that the impact of meetings extends beyond traditional event spaces, creating opportunities for economic development on a much larger scale.
Technology, he said, is a critical driver for this evolution. AI, in particular, has the potential to transform how events are planned, managed, and experienced. "AI technology is an integral part of what we do. We should embrace that, rather than getting concerned about it," Dr. Gopinath said.
Khalid Al Zadjali, ICCA Middle East Chapter Chair and Director of the Oman Convention Bureau, highlighted Bahrain's efforts to develop its conference and exhibition sector. He emphasised that hosting events like the ICCA Middle East Summit allows stakeholders to share knowledge, build partnerships, and raise the profile of Bahrain on a global scale.
Anju Gomes, Senior Regional Director for ICCA Middle East, emphasised the foundational role of venues in event delivery. She reflected on the Middle East's rapid rise as a global hub, noting, "The Middle East is the new hub globally. What other destinations did in 50 years, we are doing in a year or two."
Saif Mohamed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, commended Bahrain's hospitality and infrastructure, describing the Kingdom as "a very hospitable environment." He highlighted the importance of industry collaboration, noting, "We complement each other. We have to work together now, not to compete, but to complement."
Al Midfa also highlighted the rising influence of artificial intelligence in the region, cautioning that proper usage and cybersecurity remain critical but emphasising that exhibitions and human interaction would remain central.