The United Arab Emirates will host the 20th Public Relations World Congress of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), the world’s most influential professional association for senior international public relations executives. Slated to be an intense brainstorming session covering all aspects of the public relations industry, the Public Relations World Congress 2012 will be held in Dubai from February 29 to March 2, 2012.
The bid for the UAE to host this prestigious event was led by the IPRA-Gulf Chapter (IPRA-GC), which had recently hosted the second Annual International Public Relations Conference in Abu Dhabi during April 13-14, 2011, attended by nearly 200 PR industry professionals and media executives from around the world.
The last edition of the Public Relations World Congress was held in 2010 in Lima, Peru, and attended by industry representatives from 39 countries, while the 2008 Public Relations World Congress was held in Beijing, China. In both instances, the event brought significant media and industry attention to the host country with the world’s foremost communications professionals and media experts attending the sessions. The first ever Congress was held in Brussels, Belgium in 1955.
Mr Richard Linning, IPRA President 2011 said: “UAE’s hosting of the Public Relations World Congress 2012 has the resounding support of IPRA. It not only marks the growing importance of Public Relations in the Middle East region and the evolution of local PR practice and practitioners, but also underlines the UAE’s ability to host truly global events.”
Mr. Faisal Al Zahrani, President of IPRA-GC said: “We are delighted that IPRA has selected the UAE as a host country for the Public Relations World Congress 2012. This is the first time that this event will be held in the Middle East and marks the evolution of the region as a key player in the PR industry internationally. The Congress will establish Dubai as the PR capital of the Middle East, bringing the finest minds in communications to the city.”
Mr Sunil John, Chief Executive Officer of ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller, member of the Global Governing Board of IPRA and Vice President for Educational Programmes of IPRA-GC, has been appointed as Chairman of the Organising Committee of the 20th Public Relations World Congress in Dubai.
The Congress will witness several prominent keynote speakers addressing a variety of topics that will help government representatives, corporate entities, educators, the media and PR professionals gain a better understanding on the shifts in the sector including the impact and reach of social media.
The IPRA-GC executive board, besides Mr Al Zahrani and Mr John, also includes: Mr. Sultan Al Bazie (Executive Vice President); Mr.Jassim Al Shuwaikh (Managing Director); Mr. Khaled Al Khulaifi (Vice President – Kuwait); Dr. Fahad Al Shihabi (Vice President – Bahrain); Mr. Hassan Al Saleh (Vice President – Oman); Mr. Jassim Fakhroo (Vice President – Qatar); Ms. Sarah Al Ayed (Vice President for the Western Region of Saudi Arabia); Mr. Homoud Al- Ghobaini (Vice President for the Central Region of Saudi Arabia); Ms. Etedal Al Ayyar (Vice President – Membership); Mr. Ahmed Abed Shaikh (Vice President of Media Relations) and Mr. Salah Al Dhahri (Treasurer).
Notes and media contacts
About IPRA
IPRA – the International Association of Public Relations Association – is the professional association for senior international public relations executives. Founded in 1955, IPRA provides both intellectual leadership in the practice of international public relations and a global network of contacts for its members to help them meet their professional responsibilities and to succeed in their careers, by sharing knowledge, experience and best practice.
The IPRA constitution stresses its global footprint and gives all its individual members an equal say in IPRA affairs. The constitution guarantees representation on its governing body for all geographic regions. It also encourages members in geographic proximity who share a common language, cultural values and social practices to form local chapters to share knowledge, experiences and best practices.
IPRA promotes tolerance, that is the right of everyone to freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media.
About IPRA-GC:
The Gulf Chapter of the International Public Relations Association is a not-for-profit organization and the largest association of Public Relations professionals in the Middle East from both the client and agency sectors. The Chapter operates through active Country Chapters in each of the six Gulf countries and is by far the only association that focuses on the needs of Gulf and Arab Nationals and their professional knowledge and growth requirements. The Chapter, through an active annual workshop calendar, brings renowned speakers and professionals from within its fold and from the international arena to share best practices with its membership.
For more information, please contact:
Kalpana Praveen
ASDA’ABurson-Marsteller
Tel: +971 50 8952869
