Weekly prize draw ‘adds excitement’ to the visitor experience
DUBAI // Visitors to the UAE pavilion in Milan could win holidays to the Emirates and other high-value prizes.
There has been an increase in interest about next year’s world fair after Dubai won the bid to host Expo 2020.
“One of the reasons UAE companies are contacting us is they see it as a learning and testing ground for how they can interact in 2020,” said Peter Vine, director of the UAE Pavilion Project for Expo Milan 2015.
“A weekly prize draw will add a bit of excitement to the visitor experience.”
Airlines and real-estate companies are among those expressing interest in being part of the UAE’s project in Italy.
Corporations keen to learn more can write to sponsors@expo2015uae.com.
“It’s really exciting because when we went to companies in 2008 for Zaragoza [Spain] the response was lukewarm because nobody understood what Expo was all about,” said Mr Vine, who has been part of the UAE’s world fair team for the past seven years.
“There was more interest in 2010 in China due to the possibility of business opportunities. It was more difficult in Korea in 2012 since the venue was in Yeosu and not Seoul. But now for Milan, when we speak to the business sector here, you almost only have to mention the word and they say they want to be involved.”
In previous Expos such as in China, companies, including Dubai Tourism and Masdar, made use of the business centre in the UAE pavilion for presentations and meetings.
“The opportunities that the Expo offers go far beyond the social-cultural dimension, which is the wrapping of the Expo,” he said.
“The other challenge is the involvement of UAE business, commerce and industry so the project is leveraged for the benefit of the UAE economy.
“All business and politics depend on human contact. At the Expo, we create an atmosphere where contact can flourish between the UAE and the visiting nations.
“It’s really important that we use innovative ways of developing the Expo’s connections.”
rtalwar@thenational.ae
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