QMDI Invests in UK's Largest Renewable Energy Show

Acquisition marks entry into global event organizing and expansion of event portfolio into international markets

22nd March 2009 - Doha, Qatar - Qatar MICE Development Institute (QMDI) which is a Qatar Foundation joint venture company, has acquired a majority stake in All-Energy, the UK's largest renewable energy exhibition and conference, and plans to invest in the annual event to achieve rapid growth aimed at ensuring it becomes the clear global leader in the renewable energy exhibition marketplace within Europe, and eventually globally, and to launch All-Energy events on other continents

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Mr Rashid Al-Naimi, Vice President - Administration for Qatar Foundation and Chairman of QMDI said: "Renewable and sustainable energy is very much at the forefront of many nations' agendas as they look to reduce carbon emission and find alternative clean energy sources. "

Mr Matthew Meredith, CEO of QMDI said: "The investment in All-Energy is very strategic. We are looking forward to this year's 'hub' Aberdeen event in Scotland, and to launching events on other continents, starting with the launch of All-Energy Australia in Melbourne in October this year."

The investment in All-Energy is a testament to QMDI active role as an international organizer of events and its expanding portfolio of knowledge-led products across different industry sectors. He explained that QMDI has proven experience with a dedicated team based in Qatar who have run and launched major exhibitions globally. By harnessing this expertise QMDI intends to bring events to Qatar and 'export' successful products. QMDI is set for further growth in this coming year with more joint ventures and acquisitions announced.

The award-winning All-Energy has been held since 2001 as a partnership between Media Generation Events Ltd (MGE) and Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC), who will continue their strong relationship as it is very much 'business as usual' for the All-Energy management team and for the show itself.

The 2009 show being held 20-21 May is well on target to beat the 2008 record-breaking exhibitor and attendance figures of 380 exhibiting companies from a dozen countries, and 4700 participants from 61 countries. www.all-energy.co.uk

"We are delighted that the deal with QMDI has been finalised," says Paul Stott, Managing Director of MGE. "We are a comparatively small company and recognised that the time had come to look for strong investment in the show to develop it to its full potential, and to launch the series of overseas events that will now be spun out.

We would like to thank all our sponsoring and endorsing organisations, exhibitors, speakers and a host of individuals for their strong support and enthusiasm for All-Energy that has enabled us to grow the event from its 2001 beginnings when there were fewer than 50 exhibiting companies, 350 participants and a single stream conference to the major event we now have on our hands. It has been an exciting and challenging voyage of discovery and we look forward to more excitement and more challenges in the coming years.

"We are very pleased with the QMDI investment in All-Energy", says Brian Horsburgh, Managing Director of AECC, "and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship, with the long term tenancy agreement in place. It has been satisfying to see All-Energy grow into the UK's largest renewable energy show. I am sure we will see it expand further in future years with the commitment to further investment. Not only does it contribute a major role in raising the profile of the renewables industry, and of the Scottish expertise in that sector, but the show itself contributes substantial economic impact to the North East region."

More space has been reserved at All-Energy '09, the UK's largest renewable energy exhibition and conference, than at the same time last year. Being held 20-21 May in association with BWEA and Scottish Renewables, with The Society for Underwater Technology as its learned society patron, and Vattenfall as Principal Sponsor, All-Energy is endorsed by over 30 government departments, professional bodies and trade associations, and is also an officially branded 'Homecoming Scotland' event.

Further information on all aspects of All-Energy are available from the website www.all-energy.co.uk or contact Frederic Malgoire at QMDI on tel +974 454 6503 or
email frederic.malgoire@qmdi.qf.org.qa