A Bahraini woman has launched a company which will organise events exclusively for women, which she says will further empower her gender and address a range of interests.

Reem Ayoob, founder and managing director of Diva Conferences and Exhibition, has created what she describes as the first events co-ordination company in the region that focuses on events that interest women.

Her first event brought together a host of women entrepreneurs with innovative ideas in support of charity and future events will target other sectors, which she says are still in the planning phase.

The 29-year-old had always dreamed of having her own company, but could not decide what it would specialise in.

"I was confused between opening a public relations company and a marketing one," she said.

"But I felt it won't provide anything new to an already saturated market."

Her passion to organise events and exhibitions provided her with the idea to build her own events organising company.

Ayoob said her background as a public relations employee in a Bahrain-based bank as well as at other companies gave her the experience she needed to pursue her dream.

"I have met a lot of people during my 10 years' work experience in the field. In addition, one of the initial positions that I feel proud to have worked at and had given me lots of experience was as a customer service employee,” she added.

The mother-of-two said she had to juggle researching the establishment of her company with parenting.

Ayoob said she was confident that the market lacked an events organising company that holds conferences and exhibitions that specifically interest women.

She said with the support of her husband and parents, she was able to establish Diva, the name suggesting the company focused on women-related events.

However, Ayoob said this was only the beginning.

"I am still climbing the steps to success. With my family's support I will be able to achieve my dream," she said.

Women who want to enter the business world need to believe in themselves and overcome their shyness, said Ayoob.

"They should forget their shyness and be courageous and believe in themselves and their dreams," she said. "They also need to trust their ability to reach their dreams and work hard."

The company's first official event was the Women's World Charity Exhibition, held earlier this month at the Moevenpick Hotel.

The event, held under the patronage of Al Noor Charity Welfare Society president Shaikha Lamiya bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, featured 50 businesswomen promoting their businesses with some being carried out for the first time in Bahrain.

The objective was to promote the role of women entrepreneurs, share their experiences in the field and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

The event was able to collect BD2,700 ($7,160), which was donated to Al Noor Charity Welfare Society.

Events in the pipeline include a conference in August and an expo described by Ayoob as "unique" by the end of the year.

She said details of the events would be revealed later, once all logistics were finalised. – TradeArabia News Service