The Middle East’s newest convention and exhibition centre has already made its mark in history by winning gold at the coveted 2009 Meetings Industry Marketing Awards (MIMA) in London.
Announced at a presentation dinner on Friday night, the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) won gold in the category for Best Print Advertising Campaign and was finalist for Best Brand Marketing Campaign.
On accepting the award, QNCC’s General Manager, Paul D’Arcy said to achieve such accolades from our industry peers in our pre-opening phase is a credit to all concerned and especially Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, Chairperson, Qatar Foundation for her support in selecting a brand platform that typifies the Centre’s landmark design and world-class features.
The initial concept of QNCC’s brand development was led by multidisciplinary design consultancy, FITCH Qatar based at Doha’s Education City.
“We are blessed with the incredible foresight of leading Japanese architect Arata Isozaki to propose such an iconic building design that inspired FITCH’s creative directors to craft the overall brand development and realisation of our print media campaign,” added D’Arcy.
The QNCC brand, the platform of all communication, was developed by combining heritage and modernity into a unique identity. QNCC’s signature entrance features the intertwined branches of the Sidra tree, a beloved icon in Qatari culture.
It is treasured by the Bedouins, who gathered beneath its branches to discuss and impart knowledge. QNCC’s logo as well as brand graphics is symbolic of sidra branches.
QNCC was surrounded by a pool of well-established international venues and companies such as QNCC’s sister venue, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
KLCC won Best Brand Marketing Campaign and is also managed by international venue specialist, AEG Ogden.
“To win gold amongst such an impressive field is testament to the strength of our marketing team led by our Director of Sales, Sue Hocking and AEG Ogden Convention Centres Group Marketing, Rochelle Uechtritz.
“Let this 2009 MIMA Award be known as the first of many in the lead up to our opening in 2011,” summed up D’Arcy.
The Meetings Industry Marketing Awards (MIMA) was launched in 2002 to raise the standards of marketing in the meetings and events industry and to recognise the marketeers.
All entries are reviewed by an independent judging panel that is made up of meetings industry experts and leading buyers. Scoring criteria includes clarity of objectives, campaign strategy, creativity, campaign execution, use of budget and return on investment.
Image: Qatar National Convention Centre
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