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The Qatar Events Show (QES) 2025, taking place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, is redefining the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry, moving beyond traditional commercial exchanges to prioritise knowledge sharing and the transfer of expertise.Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of the event, Mangusteen CEO Malik Shishtawi said that valuable content and experience are the cornerstones for creating lasting impact and solidifying Qatar’s position as a global MICE leader.“We wanted to change the perception that event organisers are purely commercial driven entities, especially in the traditional trade show format which often focuses on simply renting out space.“Our focus at QES is on building real, valuable experience through knowledge sharing and transfer, because we firmly believe this is what generates long-term impact,” he pointed out, noting that this commitment to content-rich engagement is linked to QES 2025’s main aim of elevating Qatar’s status as a leading regional hub for the global MICE sector.By fostering innovation, encouraging collaboration, and showcasing cutting-edge solutions, organisers said the show aims to be a catalyst for new partnerships, driving economic growth, tourism, and essential skills development within the nation.Shishtawi highlighted his vision for the show’s long-term impact, stressing the necessity of a dedicated platform for Qatar's event professionals. “Qatar is positioned as a leading events destination, and this was proven by hosting global mega-events, including the FIFA World Cup, which was a huge success not only regionally but globally,” he said, citing the FIFA president’s commendation of the tournament.With a packed calendar of major events like FIBA, the FIFA Arab Cup, Formula 1, and ongoing Olympic bids, among others, he said there is the need for a cohesive industry platform was vital.“As active members in global industry associations representing Qatar, we recognised the need for our own platform here to bring professionals together, share experiences, conduct B2B matchmaking, and get stakeholders on board,” he said.Shishtawi added that the success of QES 2025 is further boosted by the caliber of its speakers, a deliberate effort to attract top-tier global talent. He “You've seen the level of speakers we hosted yesterday," Shishtawi said, highlighting figures such as the EVP of Dubai World Trade Centre, the head of Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, and the SVP of Oak View Group. “This is a big achievement for the events scene in Qatar and showcases the collaborative spirit we aim to foster”.The event, which opened on September 2, has drawn more than 50 innovative exhibitors and over 2,000 delegates. It features multiple zones dedicated to networking, business matching, and critical thought leadership, all contributing to its mission of propelling Qatar’s MICE industry forward through shared knowledge and collaborative innovation.

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022’s success as the most accessible tournament ever, a notable feat given the country’s developing infrastructure, was a key insight shared at the Qatar Events Show 2025, highlighting a commitment to lasting accessibility. Speaking at the Qatar Events Show’s second day at a talk titled ‘Accessibility in Events Design’, Ahmed Habib, a senior media content specialist at the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, noted that true accessibility extends far beyond physical infrastructure, demanding a holistic approach rooted in inclusivity and a deep understanding of diverse needs. “Qatar has done a very good job of building world-class events facilities that are accessible,” Habib said, citing the country’s fortunate starting point with accessible hotels, public spaces, and cultural sites. He pointed out that the foundation of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022’s unparalleled accessibility was the establishment of an Accessibility Forum. Operating under the theme, ‘Nothing about us without us,’ this initiative brought together disabled individuals from the community six years prior to the tournament. Habib said their direct involvement was instrumental in shaping a tournament that was not only accessible in its execution but also actively contributed to making Qatar more accessible for people with disabilities in the long term. “We brought disabled people from the community and we said, ‘Listen, we're going to organise a massive tournament in Qatar, and how do you want the tournament to be accessible? But more importantly, is how can this tournament make Qatar more accessible for you after the tournament is over?’” he said. This collaborative approach, he added, ensured the tournament was “delivered to the highest standards,” driven by innovation and a belief that “football is for all”. Habib underlined key innovations such as the introduction of Audio Descriptive Commentary in the Arabic language, offering blind fans an immersive experience through dedicated commentary accessible via their own devices. He noted that this groundbreaking facility, previously unavailable to Arabic speakers, has now paved the way for similar accessibility features in cultural spaces, events, and theaters. “What’s the point if I come to an event that’s physically accessible, but the staff meet me at the door and say, ‘I don’t know if you can come in because you're in a wheelchair’? Then the event is not accessible because staff and volunteers have not been trained,” he added. Habib stressed the critical need for comprehensive staff and volunteer training, equipping them with the knowledge and cultural understanding to welcome and support individuals with disabilities, whether they are attendees, speakers, or colleagues. “What are you going to do if someone who is deaf shows up at your event? Someone who is blind? At least have some sort of minimum training, recognition, understanding, and build that culture amongst your staff and team,” he urged event planners. Habib emphasised the importance of universal design principles in graphic design, citing high colour contrast, appropriate font choices, and clear hierarchy in signage as beneficial for everyone, not just those with specific visual needs. He illustrated this with an example of signage at Toronto Pearson International Airport, where icons and shapes communicate effectively, allowing non-English or French speakers to navigate with ease. Habib also discussed the distinction between the medical model and the social model of disability, where the former often views disability as an illness requiring supervision and dependence. In contrast, he said the social model suggests that disability is a societal construct, and it is the responsibility of society to create inclusive environments where everyone is equal and can participate fully. “Event planners play an important role,” Habib said, reiterating that they have the power to determine whether guests feel ‘disabled or enabled’”. He added that event planners should never view individuals with disabilities as a “loss or abnormality”, nor should they see them as having “restrictions or lack of ability”. Instead, he said the focus must be on fostering an environment where every individual, regardless of ability, can fulfill their potential and participate without limitation.

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.