The conference venue is in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Dubai is a bustling centre of excellence, recognised as the commercial capital
and tourism centre of the region, and one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.
It is a city of contrasts, where outstanding modern architecture and soaring skyscrapers
stand alongside traditional Arabic buildings and suburban villas.

Dubai's many and varied attractions provide visitors with a unique experience.
Miles of clean, uncrowded sandy beaches give way to mysterious byways from an
exotic Arabian heritage. The timeless majesty of the desert contrasts with a
spectacular nightlife of restaurants and nightclubs.

The city has a strong service-driven economy, offering every business amenity from
banking to telecommunications. International trading and industrialisation are
encouraged by the provision of seaports and specialist free trade zones.
Recent projects, such as Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City, are bringing
21st century technology and communication to Dubai in the world's first Free Zone
dedicated to e-business.

Arabic is the national language, but English, Urdu, Hindi and Farsi are widely spoken.
Arabic and English are the main business languages.

www.dubaicityguide.com

The Conference Centre, Knowledge Village, Dubai.

The Conference Centre is situated in the heart of Dubai Knowledge Village.
The knowledge cluster promises a fascinating architectural experience.
As you drive into the complex, you will pass through victory arches that lead into
a visual feast of domes, clock towers, wooden pergolas and tile sloping roofs.

The design is a blend of traditional Moroccan, Spanish, local Arabic and
contemporary styles. Key design elements have been inspired by the architecture
of the Islamic Andalusian Empire, which ruled Spain between the 8th and
15th centuries. The Andalusian civilisation had a flourishing educational and
scholarly community and is famed for its architecture and its universities.
There were 17 universities in Andalusian Spain compared to two, at the time,
in the rest of Europe.

Elements of traditional local architecture like mashrabias or latticed screens
adorn the gateways of Dubai Knowledge Village buildings. While each building
has a distinct character, all of them are united by a common theme.