The Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), due to open in late 2010, has already secured some high profile events for 2011.

The major events to be held here include the World Petroleum Congress, the 6th International Conference on Environment Mutagens and Human Population and the Middle East Turbomachinery Symposium.

Known as the ‘Olympics of the oil and gas industry’, the World Petroleum Congress is expected to attract more than 5,000 delegates and is where governments and oil companies, global industry and stakeholders join together to discuss the future of the petroleum sector.

QNCC’s general manager, Paul D’Arcy said his team was working on more than 55 prospective leads for regional and international events from a wide range of medical, scientific and technology based fields from its opening through to 2021.

“The region is in an exciting growth phase and we are looking forward to working closely with the Qatar Foundation and its members such as Qatar Mice Development Institute (QMDI) and Doha’s key stakeholders to increase awareness of Qatar’s commitment to become a world leader in education, research and development,” added D’Arcy.

The QNCC will feature a total of 57 meetings rooms and 40,000 sq m of exhibition space.

Destined to be one of the Middle East’s largest convention and exhibition centres, it will feature a multi-purpose hall for 4,000 theatre style, a 2,500-seat tiered auditorium, 500 seat theatre, flexible meeting rooms to accommodate a wide range of events plus banquet seating for 4,000.

QNCC is managed by AEG Ogden, one the of world’s leading venue management specialists, said a statement.-TradeArabia News Service