Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) Construction is on Schedule as Global Education Association Confirm QNCC as Venue

26/10/2010

Work on the much anticipated Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) is right on track for its opening in just under one year’s time. Confidence in the construction is such that TESOL, Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, has recently announced plans to hold a conference from 1 to 3 October 2011 at the most state-of-the-art convention centre in the Middle East.

With the main building exterior near completion, the focus is on the interior. Seats and rigging
have already been fitted within the theatre whilst theatre stage machinery for stage platforms,
orchestra pit and the sound and lighting cockpits is currently being installed.
Auditoriums 1, 2 and 3 now have seating and carpet and plenty of work is being carried out
on the conference hall including the installation of the ceiling.

“We are pleased, though not surprised, to report that construction is bang on course to meet
with our scheduled opening date next year. Around 6,400 people are on site making it a real
hub of activity and excitement as we enter the final stages of building” said Anthony Gould,
Manager Assets and Technical Services.

“It was such a thrill to watch the exterior take shape, and now, with so much going on and so
quickly inside the building, it is equally exciting to see the interior come on in huge leaps and
bounds. The end is well within sight” Gould concluded.

In no doubt that the convention centre will be finished on time, TESOL has announced plans for
a three day conference in October next year. Its location, in the heart of Education City
alongside the many elite universities as well as numerous research and technology
institutions, makes QNCC the ideal venue for TESOL to hold its conference the aim of which is
to bring together education experts from across the region and the globe. TESOL Inc, in
conjunction with local universities, as well as regional TESOL affiliates including Qatar TESOL
and TESOL Arabia will be the first North American association to host a conference at the
iconic venue with its world class facilities.

Commenting on TESOL’s decision that QNCC is to be its venue of choice, QNCC Director of
Sales, Sue Hocking said: “We are delighted that we will be welcoming such an internationally
influential association to Qatar and to the QNCC given that the conference is due to take place
so soon after the convention centre is officially open.”

Hocking continued: “Education is a high priority to Qatar so it will be a real pleasure, and
honour, to host TESOL next year. Most importantly, we very much look forward to playing our
part in ensuring that the conference is highly successful.”

“As a global education association, TESOL has the responsibility to offer educational programs
to members in different parts of the world” said TESOL President-Elect and Past President of
TESOL Arabia Dr. Christine Coombe. “We are proud to host the TESOL Conference on Putting
Research into Practice for the first time in Doha and we are grateful to our sponsors and
affiliates, TESOL Arabia, and other TESOL affiliates in the region for ensuring its success.”

A member of the Qatar Foundation and opening in 2011, QNCC will feature a multi-purpose hall for
4000 seated theatre style, a 2300-seat lyric style three tiered auditorium and an additional 57 flexible
meetings rooms to accommodate a wide range of events. Plus 40,000 sqm of exhibition space over
nine halls, that will be adaptable to seat 10,000 for a conference or banquet.

QNCC is proudly managed by AEG Ogden, one of the largest facility and entertainment management
specialists in the world. www.aegogden.com
Qatar Foundation www.qf.org.qa
Qatar Foundation's mission is to prepare the people of Qatar and the region to meet the challenges of
an ever-changing world, and to make Qatar a leader in innovative education and research.

For further information, please visit www.qatarconvention.com or contact:
Sue Hocking, Director of Sales
Qatar National Convention Centre
T: +974 4454 6011
M: +974 6652 3309
E: suehocking@qatarconvention.com