A dedicated staff member will be in place to run the Al Safeer program from early 2011 as Dubai Convention Bureau steps up its efforts to attract more congresses to the emirate.
The program involves finding ambassadors that can help bring conferences and events into Dubai. So far, the initiative has 96 members comprising medical (26 percent), government (40 percent) and academic and regional organisation representatives (34 percent).
Appointing a team of staff to manage efficiency and deal regularly with ambassadors has been earmarked as a priority for 2011, according to DCB.
It added that research into successful ambassador programs launched by bureaus outside the region had been carried out as DCB looks to further strengthen its own initiative.
“We have looked at how other bureaus operate their ambassador programs but we have not benchmarked any single program as such,” a DCB spokesperson said.
“We would like to incorporate best practices from some of the bureau. For example, Melbourne does a great job of branding their Club Melbourne program and engaging their ambassadors. We would definitely like to benchmark them in this area.”
DCB is urging potential ambassadors to put themselves forward for the role of helping attract events to the emirate.
“We contact potential ambassadors and select them based on their interest to pursue an opportunity to bring a particular congress to Dubai. These ambassadors should be active and engaged in inviting the congress to Dubai,” the DCB spokesperson said.
DCB added that plans to hold two events for Al Safeer program ambassadors are in the pipeline.
