Fresh from launching the new Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau – a one-stop-support-shop to help grow the emirate’s business events sector – Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) is planning to roll out enhancements to its Advantage Abu Dhabi incentive programmes at the Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) in the UAE capital.

The Advantage Abu Dhabi upgrades are aimed at securing quick wins for the emirate among the Gulf’s corporate sector.

“The emphasis at GIBTM will very much be selling in to the trade and media a new compelling range of support activations which will significantly increase Abu Dhabi’s appeal as a regional corporate business events and incentives hub,” said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, the director Promotions & Overseas Offices, TCA Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi’s business meetings credentials are in the ascendance with the emirate having secured a number of major congress bid wins and more currently being pursued.

“What is standing out is how much more there now is to the emirate in terms of infrastructure and capabilities which will be evident via the stakeholder promotions being mounted at our GIBTM pavilion,” remarked Al Nuaimi.

“Abu Dhabi is now a place which corporate meetings delegates can get out and explore making heightening any event’s experience potential. Hence, the upgraded incentives will include a broader selection of activities, excursions and teambuilding activities,” he added.

Sharing Abu Dhabi’s GIBTM pavilion this year are a plethora of hotels and resorts, including the newly-opened Novotel and Ibis Abu Dhabi Gate hotels and the Shangri-la Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, which will be pushing its recently-launched Horizon Club Lounge for corporate clients and the soon-to-open, five-star The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, which will occupy a commanding location in the Nation Towers on Abu Dhabi’s Corniche.

The hotel believes its heart-of-the-city location, close to the headquarters of major oil and gas companies as well as Government institutions will give it a corporate edge.

“We will have a predominant focus on the corporate segment,” said the hotel’s general manager, Oliver Key. “We believe that our product and service offering will suit this type of customer perfectly.

“We will have a magnificent ballroom and meetings facilities which, together with 283 guest room and suites, will offer MICE clientele an outstanding option for small-medium size meetings and large catered events, such as weddings for up to 750 people.”

The MICE business is top-of-mind for the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resorts, which is at GIBTM as part of its campaign to increase its business by 15-20 per cent this year.

“Part of our strategy will be to attract new business by offering special promotional rates and discounts during soft periods,” said Khaled Amer, the director of sales & marketing.

Net Tours And Travel, also featuring in Abu Dhabi’s GIBTM line-up is readying to launch new products into the market including a VIP Shopping Consultation product. The company which has sealed the ground handling for Italy’s Mattel incentive based out of the new Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal next month, is also to embark on renovation of its desert camps.

Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi will be spreading word of its new refurbishment which by Q3 this year will see all of its guest rooms and suites refreshed as well as the public areas.

“A new dedicated Royal Club Lounge is to be added as well as a new restaurant by a world-renowned chef,” said its general manager, Shaun Parsons.

“We are also revamping all our restaurants, including Al Fanar, the UAE capital’s only revolving and licensed restaurant and PJ’s its only Irish outlet to lift the hotel’s F&B to a higher level for foodies. The opening of a branded restaurant will be announced soon. The lobby is also included in the refurbishment plans and will be transformed into a ‘hub’ for guests and visitors as per Le Meridien signature lobby spaces.

“The market has been curious about the refurbishment plans for months but GIBTM will give us the chance to talk more openly about the new product and exhibit renderings and designs of the soon-to-be property enhancements.”

Meanwhile, the five-star Jumeirah at Etihad Towers is planning to unveil a new range of private group event packages at the show – keeping the details under wraps until March 25. The beachfront property will also be promoting two of its latest venues at the show.

“For the first time at GIBTM, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers will promote Abu Dhabi’s highest luxury venue – the Observation Deck at 300,which, at 300 metres offers stunning views of the Corniche, the city skyline and the Arabian Gulf and is available for private functions. Additionally for the first time we will promote Scott’s Terrace as another unique open venue setting that hovers over the Arabian Gulf and is also available for private events,” said the GM Doris Greif.

“This year will see us further establish the hotel at a leading luxury MICE venue in Abu Dhabi with concentration and further development of MICE markets especially from the GCC, Europe and Asia,” said Greif.

Another landmark property – this time the iconic, five-star Hyatt Capital Gate – is set to launch special B2B offers targeted at the GCC market.

“Our aim is to secure new co-operation with wholesalers and other third-parties to increase the volume of business from Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia,” said its GM Ashwini Kumar.-TradeArabia News Service