Case Study Committed to Connecting the World ITU WORLD TELECOMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 2014
DESTINATION OF CHOICE Challenge All eyes were on Dubai World Trade Centre as it hosted the sixth International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Telecommunication Development Conference 2014 (WTDC-14). The 12-day event was the result of a thorough consultation with all 192 United Nations member states of the ITU, and in accordance with the ITU s constitution and convention. With the theme Broadband for Sustainable Development, WTDC-14 focused on development priorities in telecommunications, and information and communication technologies (ICT). Dubai World Trade Centre had just 90 days to prepare a venue for 1,300 delegates from 137 member states. This conference is considered one of the biggest for the telecommunication development sectors NASSER BIN HAMAD Senior Manager, International Affairs Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA)
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THE JOURNEY Planning Even with Dubai World Trade Centre s strong track record in planning major conferences, the project was complex. Adding an extra level of importance, it was announced at the event that the UAE would host subsequent editions of the show. Held every four years, WTDC is a global platform for networking, showcasing innovation and sharing knowledge across the ICT community. The pressure was on to connect the public and private sectors with industry investors and to create an environment for new business opportunities. Working closely with the UAE s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), Dubai World Trade Centre had to deliver to a cutting-edge and seamless conference worthy of the occasion. Thanks to the meticulous planning and serious service delivery of the host country, all IT and audiovisual infrastructure worked very well. This has again raised the bar for future ITU meetings Head of IT, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
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Preparation PERFECT PLAN The ITU WTDC highlights critical issues shaping the future of the telecommunication and ICT industries, and key stakeholders came together in Dubai to affect real change. With this in mind, effectively servicing the event s needs was no small feat. More than 250 people were involved in the project across all divisions at Dubai World Trade Centre in preparation for the global showcase. Part of the high-intensity, 90-day planning involved the construction of different-sized conference rooms. An eight-day build-up consisted of four days dedicated to power supply, including IT and utility matters, and four days erecting the conference buildings, complete with state-ofthe-art facilities.
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Constructing success The huge 10,000sq m conference space, which hosted a dynamic agenda of panel discussions, workshops, roundtables, keynote speeches and networking sessions, was constructed in record time and included a world-class technology infrastructure framework, which drew praise from ITU chiefs. Preparation With ITU being at the cutting edge of the industry s evolution, technology was at the fore. A clear trend of migration towards tablet and smart phone devices meant that amongst the 1,800 unique wireless devices connected to the network, fewer than 700 were Windows laptops and Macs. This requirement for seamless wireless connectivity in future ITU meetings has become an absolute requirement. You have to have the expertise, the technology behind it and a destination that the delegates want to come and experience MAHIR JULFAR Director, Commercial Venues, Dubai World Trade Centre
Preparation 1,000 litres of paint 23km cable used = 27 times the height of Burj Khalifa 576 power sockets 4kg 100 nails and screws 2,510 laptops, 35 printers and 4 Xerox machines sets of headphones 75 lighting rigs 30 plasma screens 1.2 tonnes wood used = the weight of a small car 10,000sq m build = the size of 2 football fields 16 cameras At your service Dubai World Trade Centre was dedicated to making sure things ran smoothly at the venue, situated in the heart of the city s central business and leisure district. At the core of the IT infrastructure was the need to accommodate more than 900 concurrent wireless clients and up to 160 clients using wired connections. Nearly 60 local staff members as well as security and 113 ITU staff from 30 different countries were on hand to provide assistance during the event. Some 20 multilingual staff and 15 translation booths were also set up to cater for the truly international mix of delegates.
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DELIVERING EXCELLENCE Delivery After more than three months of careful and detailed planning, Dubai World Trade Centre exceeded all expectations as it hosted visitors from across the entire industry. More than 50 VIPs attended, as well as delegates, support staff and media, exploring the impact of technologies, trends and innovations that are revolutionising the market and the way we work, communicate and live. The premises are fantastic and everything was well arranged to have a very good conference BRAHIMA SANOU Director, ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau
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CONNECTING THE WORLD Result WTDC-14 adopted the Dubai Action Plan, which sets the agenda for ICT development for the next four years. The document states that universal and affordable access to new technologies is essential for the world s economic, social and cultural development and contributes to building a global economy and information society. Radical change continues to transform the ICT industry. The WTDC-14 conference provided an opportunity to confront the new realities and explore how future developments will impact upon our businesses and daily lives. Dubai World Trade Centre has connected the world since 1979 and the delivery of yet another successful conference in this world-class venue demonstrates why organisers continue to return.
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