Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC), the new landmark venue and business hub in the sultanate, has appointed Said Salim Said Al-Shanfari as its new CEO to lead the organisation through its next phase of innovation and growth.

Al-Shanfari has rich experience working in leadership roles in marketing and communications across Oman as well as in the region. He successfully completed Oman’s National CEO Program in 2017. The National CEO Program benefits individuals and corporations, preparing Oman’s brightest talent to compete in the global marketplace and aims to build the next generation of Omani leaders. With his leadership skills and experience from the CEO program, Al-Shanfari aims to promote Oman and OCEC as a hub for regional and international conferences and exhibitions along with live events, as well as showcasing the natural beauty and essence of Oman.

Al-Shanfari brings with him a wealth of experience, holding various management positions during his eight-year tenure in Ooredoo Oman, where he was director of business marketing, and most recently as the general manager of marketing communication and performance at Omantel.

Mohsin Bin Khamis Al Balushi, adviser at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and chairman of OCEC company - a subsidiary of Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran), stated: “Oman is now on the world map as one of the top tourism destinations, and we are confident in appointing Said Al Shanfari to lead OCEC towards its vision of introducing Oman as a world-class destination for business events. We strive to continue our success in bringing international conventions whilst simultaneously ensuring we remain focused on delivering the very best service to our customers, delegates and stakeholders. A big part of Said’s role is to accelerate our ability to bring innovative products to our customers.”

“We are delighted to have Said Salim Al-Shanfari on board as the new CEO for OCEC. His experience in various leadership roles will help us to elevate OCEC even further to new heights and will help us to align with the sultanate’s 2040 tourism strategy. I am fully confident that Said Salim and the team will create a sustainable development model that ensures the welfare of Oman and its citizens” said Peter Walichnowski, CEO of Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran). 

Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre is at an exponential growth stage with new achievements and developments in the building project. OCEC has successfully won 22 International and Regional Congresses and is eager to host these prestigious events in the near future. Some of the most awaited events that the Centre looks forward to are the 2018 International Road Union Congress, the 2020 World Cancer Congress, and the 2020 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Congress. The Centre recently finished hosting the 2018 World Heavy Oil Congress and it proved to be a great success.

Architecturally advanced in design and capability with 55 meeting rooms, 22,000-sq-m of column-free exhibition halls, and massive ballrooms, the centre has successfully been awarded the Leed Certification for its cost-saving and sustainable environment. OCEC is now all set to launch the state-of-the-art lyric style theatre with 3,200 seats that will cater to world-class entertainers and performers. - TradeArabia News Service