BAHRAIN BRINGING BUSINESS THROUGH MOTOR SPORT TO THE MIDDLE EAST REGION
Manama 16th January 2008: A prestigious new event for the region was
announced today at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) the Motor Sport
Business Forum Middle East. The event will take place on April 1-2 in the
immediate build-up to the 2008 Gulf Air Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix.
The five-year agreement between the Bahrain International Circuit and event
organiser IM2 Events will bring the most influential decision makers in the
multi-billion dollar global motor sport industry to the region. The Motor Sport
Business Forum Middle East joins the established Motor Sport Business Forum in
Monaco which has become one of the most influential meeting places in world
motor sport.
Announcing the new event, BIC Chairman, Talal Al Zain, said: “We are delighted
to announce this partnership. The Middle East has become the biggest growth
market for motor sport in the world – not only in terms of public support and
enthusiasm but also in terms of corporate investment. The Motor Sport Business
Forum Middle East will bring expertise and contacts from around the world to
meet with the business community here in the Gulf. This Forum is for the Region
and the country and the prospective opportunities it brings are very exciting.”
There will be a maximum of 500 delegates and 50 exhibitors attending the Motor
Sport Business Forum Middle East, which will take place in the RUF Automobile
sports car factory at the Bahrain International Circuit. Simon Berger from IM2
Events, creator of the Motor Sport Business Forum said: “The Kingdom of Bahrain
staged the first FIA Formula One Grand Prix in the Gulf Region, so it was
obvious also to bring the first Motor Sport Business Forum Middle East to the
Kingdom. The Forum specialises in creating a fertile environment for the many
disparate members of the motor sport business community to join together to
discuss, network, and nurture further business opportunities. As such, the
traditional audience are senior individuals from all business aspects of the
motor sport industry including: established and potential sponsors marketing
advertising agencies, as well as actively ing teams, driver managers, component
suppliers, Circuits, banks, agencies, luxury goods and car manufacturers. that
create I am delighted by the long term prospects of this project and look
forward to making this the most exciting Forum in the Middle East.”
Martin Whitaker, CEO of the Bahrain International Circuit continued: “The BIC
has prided itself on becoming the catalyst for business developments within the
Kingdom of Bahrain. Not only here at the circuit but across the country we have
seen a staggering amount of financial and commercial enterprises that have
benefited from the publicity of hosting the only round of the FIA Formula One
World Championship in the Middle East. With 540 million viewers from around the
world tuning in to watch the race it gives fantastic exposure to the country and
the region. The Motor Sport Business Forum Middle East is another example of
business development coming to the country. We anticipate that this prestigious
event will enhance the continual revenue streams that motor sport generates for
the region and for the Kingdom of Bahrain.”
