The AnnualTeam Bahrain Meeting, the seventh series and the first for 2012 under the theme 'Working Together to Welcome the World', will be held today at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

A large representation from the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (Mice) sector is expected to attend the event, organised by Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority (Beca).

Industry and Commerce Minister and Beca chairman Dr Hassan Fakhro highlighted the government's support to the ministry's initiatives to promote the sector and meet its long-term growth requirements.

Germany's Messe-und Veranstaltungs Management managing director Karla Juegel will speak on human resources development and training in the fields of marketing and sales, while MEA regional manager Ibrahim Alkhaldi of UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry, will talk about the sector's development at regional and global levels.

Beca has been an active member of UFI since 1995 and has taken part in many annual meetings. UFI comprises 586 organisations and hall owners from 84 countries responsible for establishing and managing over 4,500 exhibitions.

'We are pleased to be in a position to host the event in fulfilment of Beca's goals to create a proactive structure for the sector and enhance co-operation with Bahrain's hotel and tourism sectors in marketing international exhibitions and conferences,' said chief executive Hassan Jaffer Mohamed.

'This initiative was launched by Beca in April 2009 to attract contributors to the development of the sector in Bahrain by creating a support network that will enable us to take part in tenders for international events and contribute to the national economy,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service