|
Organisers of the World Ophthalmology Congress® (WOC) 2012, which will be held in February at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), say more than three quarters of the delegates already registered will be visiting the UAE capital for the first time.
The congress, the world’s longest running international medical meeting, will be the largest convention ever staged in Abu Dhabi with the 2012 edition being organised by the Middle East Africa Council of Ophthalmology (MEACO).
“Registrations have largely come from India, Japan, the USA, Germany, Saudi Arabia and UK with around one third being congress newcomers and 78% saying this will be their first visit to Abu Dhabi,” explained Dr. Abdulaziz Al Rajhi, President, WOC2012.
“We believe we are on course to deliver one of the most impressive congresses in terms of scientific content with some 2,000 internationally recognised invited speakers that will be organising more than 500 scientific sessions.”
Meanwhile, Executive Director of the International Council of Ophthalmology, Mr Bill Felch has visited the UAE capital to review arrangements for the congress and expressed “great satisfaction” with progress on the event.
“So much has been achieved since I last visited in 2008 with many new hotels having opened,” he told H.E. Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, ADNEC’s Managing Director as he toured ADNEC.
“The scientific programme is now complete – which is the earliest we have ever had the agenda ready ahead of the event. From what I have seen, we are very satisfied with progress and believe we are on course for a really successful event.”
Mr Felch toured ADNEC with HE Al Dhaheri taking in the Abu Dhabi Hunting & Equestrian Exhibition where he got a taste of the emirate’s traditions stopping to meet 10-year-old falconry fan Al Abdullah of Gharbia who told the VIP visitor that he too would enter the medical profession – but with falcons being his patients.
HE Al Dhaheri reaffirmed Abu Dhabi’s commitment to delivering “the most positive first and lasting impressions” to WOC2012 participants.
“From a host-venue standpoint, recent enhancements such as the presence of onsite hotels and the check-in facility for passengers flying from Abu Dhabi complement ADNEC’s excellent infrastructure, significantly increasing convenience for WOC attendees,” he said.
Some 106 companies have signed up to exhibit alongside WOC2012 with around another 50 likely exhibitors still negotiating.
“To date, some 3,200 net square metres of exhibition space has been confirmed,” added Al Rajhi.
WOC2012, with an anticipated attendance of 8,000, is being supported by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) which has established a Host City Steering Committee to oversee logistics to deliver a superior destination experience for congress attendees.
“The committee is working well with many entities including the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi, Department of Visa and Immigration and the Department of Transport, ” explained Mubarak Al Nuaimi, International Promotions Manager, ADTA. “We are also being supported by other stakeholders, including our three championship standard golf courses which came together to provide attendees with a value-added offer for tee time take ups.”
Some 32 hotels throughout Abu Dhabi have been contracted for WOC2012.
MEACO and ADTA are now planning a final WOC2012 ‘push’ at the 24th Congress of the European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons, which will be held in Vienna this week.
|
New
Review
Abu Dhabi International Airport - 41°F
