Gulf Bike Week a New Addition to AMD’s World Championship Affiliate Program

Dubai-UAE: 09 December, 2010 – Clarion Events Middle East today announced the Gulf Bike Week as the latest custom motorcycle show to be added to the International Affiliate Program of the AMD Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building.

To be held under that patronage of His Excellency Mohammed Bin Sulayem, FIA Vice-President for Sport and President of the Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), the Gulf Bike Week will take place from February 10 to 12, 2011, at the Dubai Festival City and is designed to recognise and showcase the excellence of custom bike builders.

The event, now in its third year, is an established part of Dubai’s calendar, and Clarion Events Middle East, along with its supporters Harley Davidson of UAE and the 6^th Dubai Bike Week are preparing for the electrifying return of the annual Gulf Bike Week.

Robin Bradley, owner of the AMD Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building, said: “The World Championship Program is all about promoting custom bike design and engineering excellence and we are delighted to be able to work with Harley-Davidson of UAE and MECOM Forums to help showcase custom motorcycling for consumers in the Gulf.

“Rewarding the winning contestant at Dubai Bike Week's custom competition with the chance to compete against the world's best bikes, will help to further promote the market in the Middle East.”

The AMD Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building takes place at the world renowned Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, USA, and contestants entering their latest builds in the show in Dubai will compete to win a trip to Sturgis to participate in the World Championship.

Marcel Bode, General Manager, Harley-Davidson of UAE, said: “Harley-Davidson of UAE, founders of the Dubai Bike Week, is proud to be associated with the Gulf Bike Week. For 2011, Harley-Davidson of UAE and Dubai Bike Week have managed to affiliate the show with the AMD world championship of custom bike building. The Gulf Bike Week is a great platform for us to interact with potential prospects who would like to enter the Harley-Davidson lifestyle.”

In February 2011, biking enthusiasts from all over the Middle East will witness the highly anticipated event at Dubai Festival City, complete with performances and activities for the whole family.

The 6,800 sq m exhibition marquee is expected to draw in over 40,000 visitors and will showcase motorcycles and biking and lifestyle accessories from more than 150 leading manufacturers, including, Harley Davidson, Ducatti, BMW, Kawasaki, KTM, Honda, Victory and Polaris.

Christopher Hudson, Managing Director, Clarion Events Middle East, said:  “We are proud to be affiliated with the prestigious AMD Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building. Bringing together many of the world's finest custom bike builders and their machines, the championship will highlight the artistry and craftsmanship of the bike builders who engineer motorcycling perfection and contribute to the evolution of two-wheeled transport for future generations.”

The Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building includes over 23 events in 18 different countries across the world, the latest being the UAE. At such events, the total public attendances frequently surpass 1 million enthusiasts a year, in markets worth some 20 million motorcyclists and nearly a billion consumers in general.

The Gulf Bike Week 2011 is the Middle East’s only dedicated urban bike festival in the region. It supports a market that is worth over $1.75 billion regionally and is poised to grow, with the KSA and UAE expected to maintain the majority of the region’s market share.

About MECOM Forums

MECOM Forums is a Clarion Events Partner with offices in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. MECOM Forums, a Clarion Events Partner has grown into a highly successful business. In 2009, over 800,000 targeted people visited their 200 exhibitions, conferences and seated events across Britain, Europe, North and South America, Africa, Middle East and Asia.

The business-to-business and business-to-consumer, serve 15 different market sectors that include; Defence, Energy, Construction, Retail, Leisure, Entertainment, Finance and Life Sciences.

Clarion Events employs over 400 people in twelve offices: UK (London Earls Court Exhibition Centre, and Birmingham NEC); Germany (Bielefeld); The Netherlands (Maarsen); South Africa (Cape Town); USA (Connecticut and Reno): Brazil (Sao Paulo); United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi and Dubai); Singapore and Turkey.

More information on www.mecomforums.com.

2010 ARABIAN SPONSORSHIP AWARDS SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED; Regions leading brands well represented including ADAC, ADCB, ADIB, du Etihad Airways, Etisalat and Mubadala

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 6th December 2010: The shortlist for the 2010 Arabian Sponsorship Awards has been released today and features regional and international brands with campaigns ranging from Formula 1 to environmental campaigns, junior rugby to awards.
The Awards, received from sponsors, rights holders and agencies across the Gulf region, form part of the Arabian Sponsorship Forum which takes place December 8th and 9th at The Yas Hotel, Abu Dhabi.

The Awards are an opportunity to recognize exceptional sponsorship activations which have taken place throughout the Arabian Gulf during the past 18 months.

The shortlist includes brands such as ADAC, ADCB, ADIB, du Etihad Airways, Etisalat, LG Electronics and Mubadala. Four organizations - Etihad Airways, Etisalat, LG and Mubadala - were each shortlisted in multiple categories.

The first entries were judged by a panel of leading marketing and business professors from the Higher College of Technology, American University Sharjah, UAE University, Abu Dhabi University and the Canadian University Dubai. The second round of judging is underway involving independent, international sports and entertainment sponsorship experts, chaired by Kevin Roberts, Editorial Director of SportBusiness. The winners will be announced on December 8th at The Yas Hotel, Abu Dhabi.

Business to Community

• ADAC “Chasing Rainbows Tour”

• ADCB Emirates Woman of the Year Awards

• Mubadala “ Your Goal is Our Goal”

Business to Consumer

• Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank ULF Football Partnership

• Etisalat International Telecom Partner of FC Barcelona

• LG F1 Bahrain GP





Under $ 250,000 USD

• Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Junior Rugby Festival

• Etisalat F1 x 3

• LG Greenomics

Business to Business

• Corporate Masters Golf 2010



• Mubadala Scuderia Ferrari

• Etisalat Abu Dhabi Golf Championship 2010

International

• du Sponsorship of Redbull at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

• Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2010

• Etihad Airways: Manchester City FC



Chairman of the Awards Judging Panel and SportBusiness Editorial Director, Kevin Roberts, commented:

“It is an honour to be leading the judging panel for this year’s Awards; we have received submissions across a number of industries.”

“The Arabian Sponsorship Forum is an important initiative for the region, and the Awards help acknowledge and celebrate those companies who effectively use sponsorship as part of their marketing strategy.”

In collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and their Sports Care Program, the Forum has announced a number of international keynote speakers for the Arabian Sponsorship Forum 2010, including Kevin Roberts, Global CEO of Saatchi and Saatchi, based out of New York, USA; Anders Sundt Jensen, Vice President Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars, Germany; Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi, UAE; Jocelyn Robiot, Senior Vice President Global Sports Marketing, adidas International and Danny Jordaan, 2010 FIFA World Cup Chief Executive Officer.

For more information, please visit http://www.arabiansponsorship.com/ or call 02 4418122.

ARABIAN SPONSORSHIP FORUM BRINGS TOGETHER ELITE OF ARABIAN GULF MARKETING INDUSTRY

Region’s leading sports and entertainment marketing conference returns to Abu Dhabi this week -

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 5^th December, 2010  The Arabian Sponsorship Forum is expected to see more than 300 of the region’s leading marketers, agencies and rights-holders attend the two-day Forum at The Yas Hotel, Abu Dhabi on December 8^th and 9^th.

The ‘Introduction to Sponsorship’ workshop, which will be attended by more than 150 undergraduates and recent graduates, will be led by Professor T.Bettina Cornwell, from the Lundquist College of Business at the University of Oregon, who is widely regarded as the one of the world’s leading sponsorship academics, and Nick Cottage, Head of Sponsorship, Etihad.

The 2010 key note speech is from Dr Danny Jordaan, CEO of the Local Organising Committee of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. In addition, there will be other key note speeches from Kevin Roberts, the Global CEO of Saatchi and Saatchi; Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer, Eithad Airways; and Jocelyn Robiot, the Global Marketing Director of adidas International.

This year’s Forum also involves a new partnership for stakeholders in the sponsorship industry. Aabar, Emirates, Etihad, Etisalat, Fast Track, Flash, MediaPro, OmanSail, UAE University, Twofour 54 and Zayed Sports City are all confirmed as Corporate Partners. They each receive rights and benefits for their employees to attend all the sessions, enter the Awards and promote their products and services via a new Guide called ‘Opportunities in Sponsorship 2011’ which will be published by Professional Sports Group after the Forum.

In addition, delegates from the many of the region’s leading brands are also attending including  ADCB, ADNIC, Barclays, Du, HSBC, HP, L’Oreal, LG, Nokia, Red Bull and Sorouh.

HE Mohamed Al Mahmoud, the General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council -  the patron and platinum sponsor of the 2010 Forum - is pleased with the development of the 2010 conference:

“This year’s Forum has developed well from the inaugural event, particularly with the emphasis on learning and best practice. The ‘Introduction to Sponsorship’ session with Professor Cornwell is important for both recent Emirati graduates and undergraduates. The support of the leading agencies, companies, rights holders and universities within Abu Dhabi, the UAE and across the Gulf is also important.”

“Sponsorship is a core element of our remit to develop sports in Abu Dhabi. This initiative helps us all to develop the sponsorship industry in the region.”

Jamie Cunningham, Chairman of the Arabian Sponsorship Forum, commented:

“We would like to thank the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Sports Care Program for their patronage and support. There is no better venue for this year’s Forum than Yas Hotel given its location on Yas Marina Circuit, the venue of the Arabian Gulf’s biggest sponsorship event of 2010.”

“We are excited that Dr Jordaan is attending, particularly given this week’s FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi and last week’s announcement that Qatar will host the Arabian Gulf’s first World Cup in 2022.”

In addition to Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Sports Care Program and The Yas Hotel, Gold sponsors include IFM Sports Marketing Surveys, the world’s leading sports consulting and research company; and The Tribe, a leading UAE digital firm.

For more information, please visit www.arabiansponsorship.com

ADTA- HSBC DEAL MARKS FIRST INTERNATIONAL TITLE SPONSORSHIP FOR ABU DHABI SPORTING EVENT

Abu Dhabi, UAE. 22^nd September 2010: Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and HSBC, the world’s local bank, have entered into a five-year partnership which sees the bank become title sponsor of Abu Dhabi’s flagship PGA European Tour event – the first international title sponsorship of an Abu Dhabi sporting event.

The partnership means the tournament, which next runs January 20-23 at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, will now be known as the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and its 2011 prize fund rises to US $2.7 million - a US $500,000 increase - making it the richest purse of the Tour’s Desert Swing.

ADTA, which initiated the championship in 2006, is also committed to hosting the most impressive playing field yet and is optimistic of attracting at least five of the world’s Top Ten players and to mounting its most expansive spectator offering of improved facilities and attractions in its championship village.

“This partnership ushers in a new era for the championship and golf in Abu Dhabi,” said His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman, ADTA. “It is in many ways a coming of age for the championship and for Abu Dhabi’s ambitions as a credible golfing destination.

“This is a coming together of two organisations which share considerable synergies. Both have a diverse and inclusive culture and an uncompromising commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices taking responsibility for the social and environmental impact of their operations.  Both also have an abiding commitment to community engagement. It is a meeting of minds in which we see a world of potential.”

The first player to confirm for the upcoming Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is reigning champion and two-time winner Martin Kaymer, also the current US PGA Championship title holder and world number five. Kaymer of Germany, who clinched his debut European Tour win in the UAE capital more than two years ago, first lifted Abu Dhabi’s coveted Falcon trophy in 2008 and repeated his success in 2010.

ADTA is optimistic Kaymer will defend his title against a stellar field of champions. Already confirmed are world number three, Lee Westwood, and two-time Abu Dhabi Champion, Paul Casey. Others from the world’s elite are currently being firmed up and ADTA will announce major additions to what it expects to be the event’s most competitive field to date.

ADTA’s championship ambitions have been matched by 26-year-old Kaymer who says he’s eager to return to Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s stunning Par 72 National Course and mount a bid to become the first golfer to clinch a hat-trick of Falcon trophy wins.

“Abu Dhabi is very special to me as it is where I won my first title. I enjoy everything about it, from the beautiful weather to the amazing hospitality and facilities. Having seen the field, I certainly have my work cut out for me in defending the title,” said Kaymer, who makes his Ryder Cup debut next month.

“It is great news that HSBC is joining ADTA as the bank is a great investor in world golf and its events are always first-class in every aspect. They will fit perfectly with this prestigious tournament.

“This year has been amazing for me. First I regained my title at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and then I won my first Major and qualified for the European Ryder Cup team. I am already looking forward to defending my title in January.”

Westwood, winner of over 30 international tournaments, has earmarked Abu Dhabi’s Falcon trophy as the next addition to his already burgeoning silverware collection.

“Everything about the event is quality and the players are treated like royalty throughout the week. With the great weather and quality facilities it is the ideal place to start the season. I think HSBC is a great addition as it will bring experience of running the World Golf Championship-HSBC Champions to an already world-class championship. I think the field will be stronger than ever as a result of this new partnership,” said Westwood.

“Having had so much time off this year with my calf injury, I will be looking to kick my 2011 season off well. A win at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship would be the perfect start to my season.”

Paul Casey, the current world number seven, believes the partnership will be a major boost for golf in the emirate.

“In the ADTA and HSBC we have two wonderful supporters of world golf who are both very forward thinking in their implementation making their tournaments stand out above the rest.  I think they will be an amazing combination,” said Casey.

The new Abu Dhabi partnership builds on HSBC’s burgeoning portfolio of world-class golfing tournament sponsorships. The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is the bank’s first golfing title partnership in the Middle East.  

The move also further underlines HSBC’s commitment to ‘Championing Golf Worldwide’ as it looks to build on its junior, amateur and professional programmes in more than 25 countries including the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai and the HSBC Women’s Champions in Singapore.

“ADTA has been very generous in welcoming us as the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship’s title sponsor. Golf is a very important part of HSBC’s marketing programme and the Middle East is a key region to the bank’s business. We have seen significant growth of our business and brand through our global golf sponsorship programme in recent years and we feel ADTA has established a top-tier event of the highest quality that fits extremely well with our brand,” said Simon Cooper, Deputy Chairman and CEO, Middle East and North Africa, HSBC.

Looking to attract the championship’s biggest ever spectator turnout, ADTA has promised a substantially expanded championship village with more attractions, restaurants, cafes and competitions.

“Our determination to build both the championship’s playing field and the spectator offering is a clear signal of our intention to consolidate Abu Dhabi’s mounting credentials as a golfing and leisure destination of distinction,” said His Excellency Mubarak Al Muhairi, ADTA’s Director General and Chairman of the Championship Committee.

“This emirate’s golfing facilities have expanded significantly over the past year with Abu Dhabi now boasting three world-class, championship-ready facilities. The championship takes Abu Dhabi’s name to a world of golfers who are able to book golfing vacations through the increasing number of international and local tour operators who are packaging the sport here. Championship visitors will this year find a significantly enhanced leisure offering with more golf courses, mega attractions including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and stunning new resorts.

“The tie-up with HSBC will also take news of the championship to the bank’s impressive network of 8,000 offices in 87 countries, 220,000 shareholders in 119 countries and over 110 million customers worldwide – a compelling reach.”

The latest championship developments have received an enthusiastic response from the European Tour.

George O’Grady CBE, the Tour’s Chief Executive, said: “This championship has quickly established itself as an extremely popular event on The European Tour international schedule, with our members continuing to enjoy outstanding hospitality and a superb, challenging golf course. HSBC is a strong long-term partner of both the Tour and IMG, and we are delighted that it has signed a five-year agreement to title-sponsor the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. The increased prize fund of $2,700,000 in 2011 will provide a solid platform to launch a run of four exceptional weeks in the Gulf next January.”

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is backed by a high-profile sponsorship line-up that also includes Etihad Airways, Al Naboodah, Emirates Palace hotel, Etisalat, Airbus, Xerox, CNN and Rolex.

More information can be found on the tournament’s new website www.abudhabihsbcgolfchampionship.com 

DM sets up swimming pools in sports clubs at a cost of Dhs47 million

Dubai Municipality has set up training swimming pools in a number of sports clubs in Dubai at cost of Dhs47 million.
The project comes in line with the endeavours of the Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and Chairman of Dubai Municipality Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum to boost the sports clubs and develop sports in the emirate of Dubai.
Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality said the world-class project, which was implemented in Al Nasr, Al Wasl and Al Shabab clubs, is considered to be among the specialised and pioneering projects aimed at achieving the comfort of living and essence of success for the UAE nationals and expatriates as well.

He said they also support sporting activities and develop the capabilities of the sports clubs for bringing up a young generation in accordance with modern methods and international practices in sporting competitions locally as well as internationally.
The project includes closed and air conditioned swimming facilities, stretching at a land area of 9500 metres each. They were designed as per the Olympic standards. The swimming pools also include grandstands with a capacity of 300 spectators, as well as administrative and service offices, cafeterias, toilets for men and women, changing rooms, gymnasiums, Sauna and Steam baths, Jacuzzis, massage rooms, parking lots and other facilities.