Dubai. Taking place 9-10 December at Dubai World Trade Centre and organised by Dubai Association Centre, the 2019 Dubai Association Conference agenda will offer a blend of panel discussions, expert briefings, and interactive sessions, all centred around the core theme and four sub-themes: Community Well-Being, Knowledge and Research, Business and Opportunity, and Creativity and Innovation.

The conference, being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, will serve as a platform to facilitate discussions on the value proposition of associations that go beyond direct and indirect economic benefits. The program will be structured by four different pillars that further support the facilitation of these discussions: Impact and Legacy, Designing an Impact Management and Measurement Programme, Organisational Resilience and Foresight, and the Art of Collaboration.

The event will bring together association executives from around the world, government representatives, industry leaders, as well as university faculties and students, in a space focused on building the association community in the region for the purpose of positive social impact.

Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “Along with being a catalyst for business opportunities within a thriving ecosystem, associations have the power to fuel innovation and creativity which ultimately contributes to the wellbeing of society. We are excited to host association professionals from around the world to explore the key themes of this year’s Dubai Association Conference. With a remarkable line-up of international speakers and a full schedule of insightful and interactive sessions, the program underlines our commitment to not only fostering the growth of the association community, but also its development.”

Hassan Al Hashemi, Vice President of International Relations at Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “Associations are important building blocks for society. They create influential platforms for sharing opinions, they provide fertile ground for the exploration and dissemination of new ideas, and they establish unified codes and procedures. Associations are a vital component of the business ecosystem as they are responsible for organising a comprehensive array of events and conferences around the world.”

“Our aim is to turn Dubai into a regional hub for associations, with the Dubai Association Conference a prime example of our efforts. We expect that the forthcoming conference will add value to Dubai’s Association ecosystem through its function as a central forum where members can meet, network, strike new partnerships, and share knowledge and expertise. To crystallise its role, the Dubai Association Conference is a significant component in Dubai’s aim of becoming a prime mover on the world stage and an instrumental tool to advance the city’s position across a variety of metrices.” 

Mahir Julfar, Senior Vice President, Venue Services Management at Dubai World Trade Centre, said: “Adaptability, knowledge, creativity and innovation represent key processes to organisations operating in this era. These practices and initiatives are becoming ever more important due to a fast and unpredictably changing global business environment in the region and globally. We are proud to host the Dubai Association Conference which plays a pivotal role in creating limitless opportunities for associations and trade professionals in order to attain long-term success, while serving as a catalyst for industry progression globally.”

Ahead of the event, DAC continues to engage with the global association’s community through events and partnerships, to promote both the centre and the platform it offers, as well as the Dubai Association Conference. DAC will bring a strong presence to the upcoming American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Meeting in Columbus, Ohio, where it will also be exhibiting as well as organizing a workshop focusing on ‘The Factors of Success for your Associations Societal Impact’. There are currently more than 60 associations licensed under Dubai Association Centre.