For Ongoing Commitment To The Environment, Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre Wins 'Country Winner' Category In Living Business Programme 2021

News

OCEC, Muscat 22 December 2021

Following Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and awareness, the premier events venue in Oman was recently awarded the “Country Winner” title by the prestigious HSBC Middle East Living Business Programme for 2021.
 
Out of a total 71 applicants registered in this cost-free, open-access competition; followed by a shortlisting of 46 companies, Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) was selected as one of five overall winners.
 
The “Country Winner” award reflects OCEC’s firm commitment to carrying out operations that contribute toward a progressively sustainable planet, accelerated environmental awareness, and consistent reduction of carbon footprint activities associated with the OCEC complex.
 
Throughout 2021, the programme collected data on participating companies with operations in Bahrain, Egypt, Oman, Qatar and the UAE. Winners were selected based on jury votes using an Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) framework.
 
In terms of the Environment framework, participants were evaluated according to overall sustainability and environmental footprint reduction. “It’s great doing business together when you have a plan for the planet,” the Living Business Programme tagline reads.
 
Leading up to and including 2021, OCEC has actively implemented practices to uplift the centre’s associated Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) framework. Furthermore, the venue remains committed to meeting prescribed sustainability targets, while transitioning into a more environmentally sustainable future. 
 
According to Said Al Shanfari, CEO – OCEC: “Environmental care and awareness form part of OCEC’s core values. Every year, OCEC’s Green Team carries out various programmes in line with environmental sustainability, and in line with reducing consumption of energy – whether in terms of utilization or cost. We have continued this visionary approach, and this latest Living Business Programme 2021 Country Winner award – which we are exceptionally proud of – is a reflection of our ‘green’ projects making a greater positive impact on the environment.”
 
One of OCEC’s recent environmental sustainability initiatives has been to significantly reduce water consumption required by the venue’s landscaped gardens. This is achieved by carefully managing water usage to coincide with low evaporation periods throughout the day.
 
Another initiative is their utilization of specific floral species in OCEC’s gardens that require less water usage and maintenance, and that naturally have a higher tolerance to growing in environments like Oman – while still maintaining their aesthetic appeal for OCEC’s visitors.
 
Furthermore, in 2022, OCEC will be announcing plans for the development of a renewable energy solution that will significantly reduce the centre’s dependency on energy sourced from carbon fuel.
 
   
MEDIA ENQUIRIES - PLEASE CONTACT:
Manal Al Kiyumi – Marketing & Communications Manager
Email: malkiyumi@ocec.om
Telephone: +968 2423 3849
Website: www.ocec.om
 
ABOUT: OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE
Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) – Oman’s premier Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing & Exhibitions (MICE) venue – is located in its own fully integrated precinct only four kilometers from Muscat International Airport. OCEC features two tiered auditoriums to seat 3,200 and 456 guests, while five exhibition halls feature 22,396 square meters of column-free exhibition space. Hall 1 acts as a multi-purpose space for plenary sessions, concerts, performances and gala dinners on a larger scale. Halls 1 & 2 combined can seat over 10,000 seated in theatre-style. OCEC also includes an additional 20 meeting rooms for 25 – 360 delegates, the Grand Ballroom which seats up to 1,200 guests in banquet style, the Junior Ballroom which seats up to 540 guests for banquets, 10 hospitality suites, and a VIP Pavilion. In total, OCEC offers over 120,000 square meters of hirable event space plus a multi-story car park with a capacity for 5,000 vehicles. The design of the Centre ensures a flow of meeting spaces to suit the most discerning conference and exhibition organizers. It also incorporates expansive concourse areas with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking landscaped gardens to enable ease of movement for large delegations. As a part of OCEC, The Precinct provides the infrastructure necessary to host successful international, regional and local events and is there for the enjoyment of delegates, visitors and the local community. It includes the 5 Star JW Marriott Muscat Hotel linked to the Convention Centre itself, as well as the 4 Star Crowne Plaza OCEC Hotel. A business park, surrounded by a nature reserve, which is a haven for Oman’s exotic birdlife, together with parklands and a wadi river valley, also form part of The Precinct.
 
ABOUT: OMRAN
Oman Tourism Development Company SAOC (OMRAN) drives the investment, growth and development of the rapidly growing tourism sector in the Sultanate of Oman. The company is the master developer of major tourism, heritage, urban and mixed-use projects, delivering some of nation’s most visionary and iconic destinations – including Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre. OMRAN has a proven track record of delivering tourism and related projects to a world-class standard due to their core philosophy of sustainability, transparency and partnering with renowned regional and international investors.