Dubai Association Centre creates new ambassador program

The Dubai Association Centre (DAC), a government initiative to help establish non-profit professional associations and trade bodies in the emirate, has launched the new Ambassador’s Programme to promote Dubai as a hub for regional organizations.

The program aims to work with senior executives from local and international associations to engage with other organizations to build a knowledge base for the development of associations in the region.

The executives chosen as ambassadors will take the DAC’s mandate forward by creating public awareness about the Dubai Association Centre, and representing the organization at events and exhibitions around the world.

Hassan Al Hashemi, the DAC’s vice president of International Relations, said the ambassadors will be chosen on a yearly basis based on a set of qualifying criteria.

“These individuals should be board member, chairperson, CEO or managing director of an association, preferably licensed by the center, with past experience in business development, strategy and pioneers in their field,” Al Hashemi said.

Among others, the DAC’s first ambassadors will include MECSC-ICSC CEO David Macadam, SPEMENA & India Managing Director Waleed Refaay, and IAA Worldwide Chairman and President Faris Abouhamad.

“This is just the first of many initiatives … to allow a formal environment where international non-profit, scientific and professional associations can form a membership-based community and open a regional representative office to conduct business in the UAE and the wider Middle East region,” Al Hashemi said.