Eng. Said Al Shanfari, CEO of Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre explains why the role of venues needs to be reconsidered altogether.
When I walk into a venue, I don’t just see a space. I see an ecosystem, a living, breathing entity that extends beyond its walls. Event organisers might focus on capacity, infrastructure, or seamless logistics, but a venue’s true impact lies in what it represents: a hub for ideas, a driver of change and a catalyst for growth.
At Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC), we believe a venue should be more than a backdrop for events, it should be a brand, a responsible corporate citizen and a pillar of the local economy. The question isn’t just how well a venue accommodates an event but how it contributes to its community and the industries it serves.
Hosting world-class conferences and exhibitions is at the heart of what we do, but our role extends far beyond that. We are deeply committed to developing Oman’s business events sector, investing in talent development and ensuring that the industry grows alongside the country’s ambitious vision. By hosting events and collaborating with local partners, including SMEs, our venue actively contributes to the thriving business ecosystem, creating opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Bridging the talent gap in Oman
One of the biggest challenges we identified early on was the lack of industry-specific skills among graduates. Although this is a nationwide concern, we took it upon ourselves to support in bridging the talent gap. A degree alone doesn’t prepare someone for the fast-paced, highly detailed world of event management. That’s why we launched a trainee programme, bringing already 15 trainees in Q1 2025. Each trainee is based on department needs and academic background, ensuring hands-on experience in a structured environment.
But training the next generation isn’t enough. We also focus on upskilling our existing team, ensuring they stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. Our employees have access to many benefits from tailored training plans to LinkedIn Learning access, scholarships for academic advancement, cross-training initiatives among departments and access to international certifications such as AIPC Future Shapers programme to ensure global best practices.
This is how we future proof our industry: by investing in people.
More than a venue: A space that shapes Oman’s future
Oman is evolving. As the country positions itself as a key player across industries such as technology, logistics and energy, business events are a crucial platform for knowledge exchange and innovation. Every major event at OCEC contributes to this transformation, bridging local expertise with global insights.
Take the Together We Progress Forum, hosted in February by the Secretariat General of the Council of Ministers under the leadership of HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth. We weren’t just providing an exhibition hall: we were hosting a national dialogue. The venue became a space where Omani citizens could speak directly to senior government officials, shaping policies that impact their daily lives. Last year’s edition led to real legislative changes and this year’s forum promises to be just as influential.
Events like these reaffirm why I see OCEC as more than a venue. It’s an agora, a modern marketplace of ideas where policies are shaped, businesses grow and communities connect.
Rethinking our impact: Sustainability beyond infrastructure
Sustainability isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about responsibility. As a venue, our carbon footprint is inevitable, but how we mitigate our impact and influence broader behavioural change is what truly matters.
OCEC has long been a leader in sustainability, from Gold LEED Certification and an 8,300-panel solar rooftop project to EV charging stations and biodiversity-focused landscaping. But true impact goes beyond infrastructure. Through waste segregation, sustainable event planning and awareness campaigns, we encourage responsible choices that extend beyond our doors, shaping lasting environmental consciousness.
A venue has the power to influence behavioural change, shaping mindsets long after an event ends. That is the responsibility we embrace.
Join the conversation at IMEX
These themes, the evolving role of venues, sustainability and industry impact, will be at the forefront of our panel session at IMEX on Wednesday, 21 May, at the IMEX Research Pod, Inspiration Hub, Hall 9 from 12:35 to 13:20. The aim is to explore how venues worldwide are redefining their purpose and positioning themselves as active contributors to their communities. Let’s move beyond the traditional definition of a venue and embrace the bigger picture.
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