Eng. Said Al Shanfari is the Chief Executive Officer of the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Sultanate’s premier events venue. An expert in the business event industry, Al Shanfari also represents the wider region as Chairman of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) for the Middle East and Africa chapter. This regional perspective, along with his achievements at OCEC, led him to be recognized twice by Forbes Middle East as one of the Top 100 Travel and Tourism Leaders in 2024 and 2025.
Al Shanfari serves as an Advisory Board Member for Women Future Cities, a global initiative dedicated to empowering women to become key drivers in building smart, #sustainable, and people-centered cities. He is also a board member of the Oman Tourism Association and has served as a Board Member for Nama Group, contributing to strategic development across sectors.
With over ten years in senior management roles, Al Shanfari started his career in the telecommunications sector, managing large marketing projects for Omantel and Ooredoo. In 2017, he completed Oman’s National CEO Programme, preparing Oman’s brightest talent to compete in the global marketplace and build the next generation of Omani leaders. A leading voice in Oman, Al Shanfari is continuously featured in Oman’s Top 100 Most Influential CEOs and was awarded OER’s Innovative CEO of the Year award in 2023.
Al Shanfari holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Hull and a double Bachelor’s from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, in Computer Management and Information Systems, as well as Business Administration and International Business. He has completed additional leadership and management courses from the London Business School and the IMD Business School and is a qualified Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation.

Samira Al-Naamani is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in finance, corporate services, and operational leadership within Oman’s hospitality and tourism sectors. Since joining the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) in 2015, she has been at the forefront of shaping the Centre’s financial strategy, stakeholder relations, and corporate operations; contributing significantly to its sustained growth and organizational excellence.

In 2019, Samira’s leadership scope expanded to include the Human Resources and Quality Assurance departments. She successfully guided OCEC through major workforce transitions, championed employee wellness initiatives, and ensured full regulatory compliance during the global challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her commitment to operational excellence extends to Quality Assurance, where she has been instrumental in developing and maintaining a robust Quality Management System aligned with international standards, strengthening OCEC’s standing as a world-class venue.

Before joining OCEC, Samira spent 18 years with the Grand Hyatt Muscat, where she made history as the first Omani to be appointed Director of Finance at a five-star hotel in 2008. Her tenure was distinguished by strategic leadership across pre-opening operations, financial management, and departmental development, laying a strong foundation for her continued success in Oman’s events and hospitality industry.

Eng. Imad has over 25 years of experience in facility operations, management, and strategic leadership. He currently serves as the Director of Operations at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), overseeing the readiness of facilities to host international conferences, exhibitions, and world-class events.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Sultan Qaboos University and began his career at the Royal Estates Directorate under the Royal Court Affairs, where he progressed from Maintenance Engineer to Director of Facilities and Contracts Management.
Eng. Imad earned his Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from the University of Bedfordshire in the United Kingdom and holds the internationally recognized Facility Management Professional (FMP) certification from the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) in the United States. He has also completed advanced training programs in leadership, financial management, operations, and contract management.

In Event Operations, OCEC has brought in Mr. Nagendran Naidu, who will oversee all event related operations. Mr. Naidu brings to OCEC over 26 years of event industry experience, having worked in various arenas, including hotels and large venues around the world. He is highly skilled in all aspects of business events activities, such as venue and facility management, strategic event planning, Food & Beverage operations, and Audio-Visual roll-out. Mr. Naidu’s role at OCEC will be to transfer his knowledge and expertise to young, up-and-coming Omani leaders in the industry.

Manal Al Kiyumi joined the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) in 2018 as Marketing & Communications Manager and was promoted in 2023 to the role of Director of Marketing & Corporate Communications. In March 2024, her portfolio expanded to include live events, and she now serves as Director of Marketing & Live Events, overseeing the Centre’s strategy for promoting and delivering major local and international events.
In 2022, Manal successfully completed The National Leadership Programmed (Etimad) at the Royal Academy of Management, reflecting her strong commitment to continuous professional growth.
With over 13 years of experience across corporate communications, public relations, corporate social responsibility, and journalism, Manal has established herself as a seasoned leader in her field. Before joining OCEC, she served as Head of Corporate Communications at ASYAD Group, Oman’s flagship logistics company.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and information studies with a specialization in Journalism from the American University of Dubai, in addition to a Certificate in Middle Eastern Studies.

With 15 years of experience, Fuad is a seasoned sales specialist in tourism and business events, bringing a holistic approach shaped by his extensive background in tourism promotion through his previous role in OMRAN Group. As the head of OCEC’s Sales Department, he oversees the centre’s integrated sales strategy for both local and international events. His contributions to prestigious international and regional exhibitions have been instrumental in attracting world-class business events to Oman and OCEC. Fuad understands that achieving lasting success in sales, event planning, marketing, and branding requires more than expertise, it demands passion, determination, and continuous growth. An alumnus of Oman Tourism College, he now gives back by sharing his insights with students through guest lectures. Recognised as an industry leader, he was awarded the prestigious Next Generation Leader Grant by UFI in 2019 and later served as a judge for its 2020 edition.

Hesham is a seasoned Human Resources executive with over 20 years of experience leading HR strategy, performance management, and organizational development across diverse industries in Oman. Currently serving as Director of Human Resources at Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, he plays a pivotal role in aligning people strategies with business objectives, fostering a high-performance culture, and driving talent development initiatives. With a proven track record in building engaged, high-performing teams and aligning HR with strategic goals, Hesham is committed to driving sustainable growth, operational excellence, and people-first leadership.