In the coming months, the OCEC will be host to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) World Congress, the International Investment Forum and the annual Green Hydrogen Summit, one of the leading regional events on green energy transition.
The OCEC has positioned itself as Oman’s premier venue by attracting large-scale international and regional events with a significant impact on the Sultanate of Oman’s economic development.
Eng. Said Al Shanfari, CEO of the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, told TTN Middle East’s Publishing Director, Kim Thomson: “The Muscat International Book Fair, one of the globe’s most colossal gatherings, recently wrapped up under our roof, drawing in excess of 300,000 book lovers and sprawling over 35,000 square metres. This edition was marked by an inventive fusion of literary celebration and a verdant garden festival, offering a feast for the senses with books, blooms, and gastronomic pleasures.
“The General Arab Insurance Federation (GAIF) conference also graced our halls, convening over 2,500 delegates, with a notable 1,900 journeying from abroad, bolstering hotel occupancy and invigorating local commerce. A series of medical symposiums have also punctuated our calendar since the year’s onset.”
With an eye on amplifying its event repertoire, OCEC is focusing efforts into themes of sustainability and energy, mirroring Oman’s commitment to a net-zero emission footprint by 2050. “We’re channelling the national strategy into our operations, attracting international exhibitors and diversifying our exhibition portfolio to encompass consumer shows and conferences. Our bids are increasingly capturing the medical and energy sectors, but we’re also keen to introduce untapped segments like food, national economies, blue economies, and logistics to Oman’s shores,” Eng. Shanfari elaborated.
Beyond corporate gatherings, OCEC has carved a niche in the matrimonial market, particularly appealing to the neighbouring Indian sector. “While we cater to the wedding business, we’re innovating within our spaces to transform exhibition halls into bespoke wedding venues, undetectable from traditional settings. Annually, we play host to 10 to 15 weddings, with aspirations to elevate this figure.”
OCEC’s sustainability ethos is embedded in its infrastructure, boasting a Gold LEED certification and initiatives like air recycling, solar energy harnessing, and food waste management. “Our design philosophy is eco-centric, with ample natural light and greenery. We’re also embarking on a solar venture projected to generate 4.5 megawatts, potentially housing one of the nation’s largest rooftop solar arrays. As we delve into our role in the zero-carbon movement, we’re scrutinizing our energy consumption and exploring sustainable generation and reuse,” he added.
OCEC’s collaboration with the travel industry is extensive, orchestrating educational sales calls and familiarization trips. Eng. Shanfari asserts, “Oman’s allure lies in its ability to fulfil all criteria for hosting conferences, from linguistic accessibility and geographical proximity to robust infrastructure and its intrinsic exotic charm.”
The OCEC has experienced an exceptional rebound post-COVID-19 with around 1.5 million visitors welcomed at the Centre in 2023, a 25 per cent increase from 2022 figures. As an international venue, the OCEC hosted visitors from over 90 countries in 2023, confirming Oman’s visibility on the regional and international scene. This significant rise reflects the growing confidence in the award-winning venue and Oman as a preferred destination for business tourism events.
KNOW MORE: OCEC
The OCEC is located in its own fully integrated precinct just four kilometres from Muscat International Airport.
It offers a multitude of spaces for a multitude of events. These include a total of fifty-five modern meeting places, auditoriums and exhibition halls, VIP lounges, Grand and Junior ballrooms, two international hotels, and a business park.
As a state-of-the-art venue, the OCEC includes one of the largest theatres in the GCC, and one of the region’s largest column-free exhibition spaces – among many other highlights. The layout includes expansive concourse areas to host large delegations, with large-scale floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking landscaped gardens and water features.
There is also a multi-story car park with a capacity for 4,000 vehicles.
As a part of OCEC, The Precinct provides the infrastructure necessary to host successful international, regional and local events and is there for the enjoyment of delegates, visitors, and the local community. It includes the five-star JW Marriott Muscat Hotel linked to the Convention Centre itself, as well as the four-star Crowne Plaza OCEC Hotel.
A business park, surrounded by a nature reserve, which is a haven for Oman’s exotic birdlife, together with parklands and a wadi river valley, also form part of The Precinct.