MICE training academy set up by Saudi authorities

Authorities in Saudi Arabia have established a new academy to train young nationals to work in the field of conferences and exhibitions, as the Kingdom looks to develop the sector and increase levels of Saudization.

The Supervising Committee of the National Convention and Exhibition Program (NCEP) recently have the go-ahead to set up the Saudi Academy for Event, Conferences and Exhibitions. It is expected to be up and running within the next six months.

His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, president of SCTA and head of the Supervising Committee of NCEP, said the academy would have an important role in promoting the sector by building its work force and creating a new generation of qualified Saudi youth capable of leading it.

The NCEP’s Supervising Committee had its seventh meeting on Monday (February 23), when it also evaluated he organisation’s performance in 2014 and addressed its plans for this year.

It approved the general plan for 2015, which includes seeking approval from the government to establish the Saudi Association for Convention and Exhibition, applying consumer goods’ licensing procedures and measures, approving the Financial Return programme to the service provided by NCEP and developing the policies and procedures of licensing convention and exhibition facilities.

The NCEP has so far issued 373 licenses for exhibitions and conferences in the Kingdom.