Dubai seals the deal to host World Chambers Congress in 2021

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry competed against three other 2021 Congress finalists: the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce; Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Iran Chamber of Commerce for its title as Congress co-organiser.

The World Chambers Congress is the leading chamber event of its kind. Since its inception, the global event has been held in continents across the world, in countries including Canada, South Africa, South Korea and Italy. The biennial Congress brings together chamber leaders and business professionals from more than 100 countries to share best practices, exchange insights, develop networks and address the latest issues affecting their respective communities.

Discussing the efforts of competing chambers throughout the bidding process, WCF Chair Peter Mihok said: “This edition’s deliberations were incredibly difficult. The four chambers came with such passion and enthusiasm and each brought their own unique strengths. To that end, each chamber is a winner in many ways. Although only one can co-organise the Congress, the global recognition and respect that each of our finalists receives from their peers worldwide—as well as from within their local communities—brings immense pride and a lasting legacy that will impact positively on all their actions and opportunities in years to come.”

Each chamber presented its bid live during last month’s WCF General Council meeting, which was held in Beijing. Presentations and official bid books were judged by an international jury comprising WCF General Council members and the ICC Secretary General and Chair. The four chambers were evaluated on five criteria:

• Chamber suitability as a co-organiser
• Logistics abilities
• Budget and funding
• Congress programme innovation
• Marketing and communication capabilities

In speaking on behalf of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and its bidding team,  H.E Hamad Buamim, President and CEO of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry said: “Dubai’s successful bid to co-organise the 12th World Chambers Congress is a clear indication that the United Arab Emirates has gained global recognition of its efforts to advance its economy and become an international hub for future industries.

“As one of the world’s largest membership-based chambers of commerce, the Dubai Chamber will work to ensure that [the country] delivers a World Chambers Congress like no other by showcasing the tremendous potential that Dubai has to offer.”

It is never too early for chambers to place their intent to bid for future Congresses. Interests for bidding are already being received by WCF for the 13^th edition of the World Chambers Congress in 2023 upon the event’s return to Europe, as well as the 14^th edition in Asia for 2025.

The 11^th edition of the World Chambers Congress will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 12-14 June 2019, and is co-organised by the Brazilian Commercial and Business Associations (CACB). Registration is slated to open in June 2018.