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The inaugural Qatar Events Show (QES) 2025 is poised to be a pivotal platform for advancing event technology and bolstering the region’s growing Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry, according to an industry expert.Speaking to Gulf Times, Eques Holding president and executive chairman Ibrahim al-Fares underlined QES’ significance as a platform offering direct access to organisers and suppliers, essential for both the event’s success and his company’s core business.Eques Holding, a diversified company managing three subsidiaries, including Lanyardy, a leading provider of custom event identification solutions, is a sponsor of the show.Al-Fares added that participation in the debut show will offer invaluable exposure to a wide spectrum of professionals within the events industry, enabling them to experience Eques Holding’s services firsthand.In an era dominated by artificial intelligence (AI), Al-Fares addressed the potential evolution of traditional event identification methods. While acknowledging AI’s transformative power, he pointed out that physical lanyards and badges will remain indispensable.“As much as AI advances, we still need to identify the person in front of us. AI will not replace this because even with full digitalisation, you still need to understand who the person is by name, company, and position. That visual identification is still important for people,” al-Fares said.He noted that such view has driven Eques Holding’s strategic investments, including the establishment of the first Middle East factory dedicated to lanyards and UV badges. This facility aims to serve not only Qatar but also the broader GCC region.Apart from physical identification, al-Fares noted that they are also actively integrating AI into its technological offerings, particularly within its registration systems.“We have a company that focuses on technology, so we have the registration system, and now we are integrating AI into it. For example, instead of scanning people at the entrance, we will have RFIDs that can do automated checks. This will help event organisers manage their shows by knowing the exact footfall at any given time,” he said.However, al-Fares also stressed the importance of the human element in the events sector, saying: “While AI might reduce the need for human interaction in some areas, you will always need someone to greet you nicely with a smile. You need that human touch; it will never go out of fashion.”Looking at Qatar’s and the region’s role as an events hub, al-Fares expressed optimism, noting that: “Qatar has proven that it can deliver mega-events. Now, the focus is on attracting more events to the country, not just one-off mega-events, but a year-round calendar. I believe the GCC, in general, is booming and is set to become a leading region for events globally, as it has already become a hub for events and mega-events”.He highlighted the current robust activity, noting that “for the latter end of this year, we have almost 150 to 200 events happening within the next four months alone”.Al-Fares attributes Qatar’s advantage as an MICE destination to its well-established infrastructure and efficient logistics, a legacy built from its successful bid for the 2010 World Cup.

The Qatar Events Show 2025 kicked off Tuesday at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) with a panel discussion, exploring the impact of the events sector on national economic growth and international perception.Titled ‘The Economic Engine: How Events Fuel Local Economies,’ the session highlighted the key role of large-scale conferences, exhibitions, and cultural festivals in fostering economic diversification, particularly for nations seeking to expand beyond traditional industries.Speakers agreed that events are not merely spectacles but significant contributors to a country's economic vitality and global image.Oak View Group SVP Dr Debbie Kristiansen cited job creation as a primary economic benefit derived from the events industry, saying there are a number of things that contribute to economic impact in a destination, including job creation.About economic diversification beyond tourism, DECC CEO Jose Vicente shines a spotlight on how major events create vibrant hubs, attracting new industries and fostering local businesses.He pointed to Qatar’s hosting of significant events like the Web Summit as examples that provide growth opportunities for emerging and local companies. He also emphasised the legacy of large events in creating sustainable job opportunities through recurring exhibitions.Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau director Mubarak Al-Shamisi echoed this view, explaining that various industry sectors within events play a crucial role in creating new opportunities and nurturing creative development to reach new heights.He also cited the Abu Dhabi Financial Week as an example of how key partnerships can benefit companies, particularly within the events industry.About the importance of robust infrastructure in holding events, Mangusteen CEO Malik Shishtawi underscored the significance of a strategic central location, with accessible hotels, efficient public transport like the metro, and proximity to world-class airports. In addition, he said knowledge transfer is also a key driver of opportunity within the events sector.He noted that the GCC region, as a whole, is a hotspot for events, with complementary infrastructures and collaborations enhancing accessibility. This collaborative approach, Shishtawi suggested, facilitates the rotation of events, creating unique, interconnected hubs across destinations like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with potential for similar developments in other GCC countries.Dubai World Trade Centre EVP Mahir Julfar agreed, citing venues, transportation, and infrastructure as vital elements, and lauded the GCC for its flexibility in accommodating diverse international attendees.He also shared Dubai’s success story, illustrating how collaborative efforts create a larger ecosystem that amplifies the impact of events.Dr Kristiansen stressed the relevance of maximising event utilization and the critical role of security, lauding the Middle East for its safety. She also pointed to the strategic use of hybrid events to broaden audience reach, generating interest for in-person attendance at future events.She said people development was another critical aspect, highlighting the value of nurturing individuals with the right attitude and supporting their growth within the hospitality industry, identifying the development of future leaders as paramount.

As August draws to a close, Qatar is set to host cultural, industrial, and professional development events in September, offering diverse opportunities for learning, networking, and innovation.At the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA)’s Education Centre, the final session of the Kufic Intermediate Workshop will be held Wednesday. This specialised course, led by Hussein Ammar Ahmed, provides participants with hands-on experience in reproducing the distinctive Kufic calligraphy style, known for its bold, geometric letterforms that often resonate with modern aesthetics.Building upon its earlier August 13 and 20 sessions, the workshop has catered to intermediate learners, offering a deeper dive into the script’s nuances and vocabulary, ideal for those who have previously engaged with beginner calligraphy courses.The Qatar National Library (QNL) celebrates the conclusion of its month-long Summer Camp also Wednesday. Launched on July 1, the camp delivered a stimulating environment for children and teens, fostering creativity, learning, and fun designed to spark imagination and inspire young minds.The industrial and entertainment sectors are set to take centre stage in the early days of September. From September 2-4, the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) will host the Print Pack Sign Show (PPSS).Dubbed as Qatar’s flagship platform for the printing, packaging, signage, and labelling industries, organisers said PPSS promises to be a comprehensive showcase of leading technologies and innovative materials, uniting key industry players.Also from September 2-4, the Qatar Event Show (QES) will bring together more than 50 exhibitors and over 2,000 delegates at DECC, highlighting the nation’s dynamic events and entertainment industry. This premier B2B exhibition is set to bring together the best of the events and MICE sector, offering a rich programme of a world-class exhibition, insightful conferences, interactive workshops, and vital networking opportunities.Artistic exploration continues on September 3 at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art with the Action Model Drawing Workshop. Following highly successful previous dates in May, June, and July, this workshop offers participants an engaging experience that combines observation and action, allowing them to discover the dynamic world of contemporary artistry. Future sessions are already scheduled for October 1 and November 26.Musical enthusiasts are anticipating the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra’s (QPO) opening concert of its 2025/26 season on September 4 at the Qatar National Convention Centre. Led by conductor Elias Grandy, the evening will be a tribute to the works of Robert Schumann. The programme is set to feature the Genoveva Overture, Piano Concerto in A minor performed by internationally acclaimed pianist Zee Zee, and Schumann’s Symphony No. 2 in C major, a piece celebrated for its emotional depth and triumphant spirit.From September 9-10, the JW Marriott Marquis City Center Doha will host the 2nd annual “Digital Talent Ecosystem Dialogue”, a gathering aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 that will convene C-Suite and HR leaders from various sectors, including government, academia, and industry. According to the organisers, this dialogue aims to foster collaboration for building a robust digital talent ecosystem, exploring digital transformation trends, workforce development strategies, artificial intelligence use cases, and innovative HR practices.Discussions will be spearheaded by representatives from key entities such as the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Qatar Financial Centre, Kahramaa, Snoonu Qatar, Hamad Medical Corporation, and Aspetar, providing actionable insights for shaping Qatar’s digital future.The month will close with a strong emphasis on sports and healthcare as the Ladies Sports Hall at Aspire Zone hosts the fifth annual Seashore Phoenix Games, a competition dedicated to functional fitness, from September 25-29. The Men’s Competition is scheduled for September 25-27, followed by the Women’s Competition, a private event, from September 28-29. The games will feature various categories, including Individual RX (Men and Women), Teams of 3 (Men), Masters Men 40+, and Team of 2 (Women), including a Rookie category.Concluding September and extending into early October, the DECC will host the Qatar Medicare from September 30-October 2, under the patronage of the Ministry of Public Health. This year the event is expanding with the launch of the Beauty and WellCare Show.