Key speakers from around the world will take part in Event 360, the Middle East’s only dedicated show for event organizers, which opens today.

The Event 360 conference, which covers social, corporate, sports, entertainment and government event management, will run till May 1, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

It runs in tandem with the Event 360 and Palme Middle East exhibitions which occupy over 15,000 sq m of space.

The expert speakers include Martin Whitaker, CEO, Bahrain International Circuit (BIC);  Mubarak Furaih Al-Salamah, director, Hail Provincial Tourism Organisation – Supreme Commission For Tourism, Saudi Arabia; Zahra’a Taher, CEO and founder, Eventscom, Bahrain; as well as a diversity of global experts, including Hugh Yii, managing director, Festival Square Circle Pte Ltd, Singapore; Charlotte J De Witt CFEE, president, International Events Ltd, USA; and William O’Toole, associate director project management graduate program, University Of Sydney.

The conference will additionally incorporate over 25 presentations and keynote addresses from a range of regional and international event organisers, in addition to panel debates, roundtable discussions, networking sessions, and three post-conference workshops, covering topics such as event security, health and safety issues through to practical project management skills and the winning guide to obtaining business sponsorship, said a statement.

Additionally, the Middle East Event Awards at Event 360, a dedicated vertical show for event organisers and suppliers, will be held under the umbrella of Palme Middle East 2008 exhibition.

The inaugural awards will be hosted by leading events publication meetme (Meet Middle East) magazine and will take place today.

Event 360 is being held in association with the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA). –TradeArabia News Service