The Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) is a premier events hub in Muscat, hosting global conferences, exhibitions, and cultural events. With eco-friendly infrastructure, it supports industries like tourism, business, and education, while advancing Oman’s position in international business tourism through innovative, large-scale projects and partnerships.
Your achievements at OCEC and contributions to the wider region have earned you recognition by Forbes Middle East as one of the Top 100 Travel and Tourism Leaders in 2024. What do you consider to be your most significant achievements at OCEC so far? How do these accomplishments align with your personal and professional goals?
Said Al Shanfari: At OCEC, our primary goal is to be recognized internationally as the top venue for hosting events in Oman. Whether it’s an exhibition, conference, wedding, or entertainment event, we want OCEC to be the first choice.
One of our most significant achievements has been establishing ourselves as one of the most sophisticated, high-tech, and attractive venues in the region and beyond. Over the years, we’ve seen remarkable growth in hosting international conferences, with the scale and prestige of our events continuously increasing.
We’ve also witnessed a significant rise in international participation and event bookings. Where lead times used to be three to six months, they’ve now extended to six to 12 months, and we’re fully booked until the end of the year. We’re already planning for 2025, which reflects the growing demand and trust in our capabilities.
With strong support from our stakeholders, including the government, OIA, and key decision-makers, we now confidently host large-scale international events. We have the right team, expertise, and strategies in place to match global trends. Our focus on sustainability, digitalization, pricing, and globalization ensures that OCEC remains at the forefront of the industry, aligning both with my personal commitment to growth and my professional goal of positioning Oman as a premier destination for world-class events.
The implementation of renewable energy projects, such as the recent solar panel initiative, is a cornerstone of OCEC’s sustainability strategy. Can you elaborate on the renewable energy projects OCEC has undertaken and the anticipated benefits of these initiatives?
Said Al Shanfari: The OECC’s solar energy project has been a long-standing vision that is finally becoming a reality. The idea started with visualizing a large-scale solar installation on the roof of our building at OCEC. Initially, we faced challenges and uncertainties—how much energy would be produced? What would be the impact on operations? How could we involve the local community? These were all critical questions that needed answers.
As we researched and collaborated with partners, the feasibility of the project became clear. With the unwavering commitment from our group company Omran Group, and our internal Green team, we were determined to create a unique, impactful project. We didn’t want just any sustainability initiative; we wanted something with a distinct identity, much like Omran’s Yiti Sustainable City.
OCEC was originally built as a LEED Gold-certified building, and this solar project is a continuation of our commitment to sustainability. It’s exciting to think that this could be one of the largest solar projects on a building in the country. With over 8,300 solar panels, equivalent to 63 double tennis courts, the system can produce 7.8 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power an entire village. Additionally, the project should reduce CO2 emissions annually by 3,317 tCO2e – a significant environmental impact.
Partnering with Total Energies Renewables Middle East & Africa and other international experts brought the necessary experience and expertise to ensure the project’s success. We are now in the final stages of commissioning and testing the system. If you fly over the building today, you can already see the solar panels in place, powering our operations with clean, renewable energy. This project reflects our ambition to make a meaningful contribution to sustainability and set an example for future developments. This project represents our commitment to a long-term vision for sustainability. Beyond reducing our carbon footprint, it aims to set a benchmark for the region, inspiring future developments to adopt similar practices. At OCEC, we view sustainability as a responsibility rather than a choice, and we are proud to take the lead with initiatives like this.
OCEC’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond energy consumption, incorporating various environmental and social initiatives. What other sustainability initiatives has OCEC implemented to minimize its environmental impact?
Said Al Shanfari: At OCEC, sustainability has always been at the forefront of our operations, as evidenced by our LEED certification. We harness solar power for our chillers and lighting, and we’ve designed the building to take advantage of natural light and airflow, significantly reducing energy consumption. The greenery surrounding the center not only enhances the aesthetics but also contributes to our environmental initiatives. We plant fruit-bearing trees like lemons, dates, and olives, and even have a honeybee farm, producing honey we share with partners at international conferences.
One of our ongoing projects is expanding our green initiatives with a dedicated “Green Team” that continually explores creative sustainability ideas. We’ve installed electric vehicle charging stations with a local partner EVO to encourage eco-friendly transportation. But our sustainability efforts go beyond infrastructure; they’re about changing habits. We’ve realized that sustainability must be ingrained in daily practices, not just for us but for our visitors too.
We’re now focusing on initiatives that encourage recycling and reusing materials during events. For example, we’re looking at how exhibitors can recycle materials like wood and steel used for stands. We’ve also partnered with a local food bank, and last year, we repurposed over seven tons of surplus food, ensuring it reached those in need. Any food waste that can’t be reused is composted to nourish the greenery around OCEC.
Sustainability is a marathon, and we’re committed to pushing forward. From solar projects to waste management, and from local food initiatives to mindset shifts, we’re continuously evolving. Our leadership, particularly from Omran Group, has made sustainability a core principle, and we’re proud to be ahead of the curve in this journey.
What challenges do you identify in creating this work in Oman?
Said Al Shanfari: One of the primary challenges in advancing sustainability initiatives in Oman is shifting the mindset and habits of people. While many may assume that funding is the biggest hurdle, it’s more about finding the right partners who share the same vision. For instance, our partnerships with organizations like Total Energies Renewables Middle East & Africa, the Oman Food Bank, and EVO for charging stations demonstrate that collaboration can drive sustainability without placing a heavy financial burden on any single entity. These companies recognize both the opportunity to contribute to a better world and the commercial potential of sustainable projects.
The real challenge lies in changing ingrained habits. People are accustomed to certain ways of doing things, and altering these behaviors takes time, education, and awareness. It’s not about forcing immediate, sweeping changes but making incremental improvements over time. Sustainability is a gradual process, much like personal habits—whether it’s waking up early or changing dietary choices—it requires consistent effort and willingness to evolve.
I think challenges are there for you to become more creative. There’s always a solution for everything, and then you just need to think outside the box. We like to think that the OCEC can build upon its connection and thoughts and ideas to achieve its sustainable goals. They will appeal at the right time at the right place.
You shared a post about a survey conducted in Australia regarding event organizers in Sydney. The survey found that 42% of respondents stated they would choose a venue based on its sustainability. This indicates that sustainability is becoming an important factor for them when selecting a venue, even if the event itself is not specifically focused on sustainability.
Said Al Shanfari: It’s a weight factor. It’s a weight factor for selection. This survey among many others shows that our industry is shifting, and venues must step up to ensure they have sustainability as a core business requirement.
Although this survey is from Australia, it shows that there is a global movement in the events industry towards sustainability. It comes both from audiences behavioural change but also from event organisers’ new requirements. For us at the OCEC, it is also about consistency: we host major green energy & sustainability event annually, including the upcoming Oman Climate Week in February. We want to walk the talk and create a venue which is aligned with the ambitions of our country and of these events particularly.
OCEC is also impacting the international events that are happening and encouraging them to be more sustainable. What have your observations been when you are traveling abroad?
Said Al Shanfari: We’ve realized that we are ahead of the curve in our sustainability efforts compared to many other venues. While others are making strides, the governance structures in some places can slow down decision-making, making it harder for them to act swiftly. At OCEC, we’ve signed the commitment to become a zero-carbon venue by 2050, as part of our involvement with UFI (The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry), where I am the MEA Chairman. This commitment reflects how seriously we take sustainability.
We’ve made significant progress in this area, regularly reporting our achievements and learning from the best practices of others. Every time we observe new sustainability initiatives while traveling, we bring those insights back to OCEC and apply them. Whether it’s adopting new digital solutions, energy-saving techniques, or recycling strategies, we continuously evaluate and implement the best possible methods to enhance our operations. Our focus is on making steady progress, identifying quick wins where possible, and building towards long-term sustainability goals.
What long-term impact do you hope to achieve through OCEC’s sustainability initiatives?
Said Al Shanfari: At OCEC, we aim to lead by example. We’re not just adopting sustainable practices but also inspiring others on why they matter. By positioning ourselves as a sustainable venue, we attract partners who value environmental responsibility, creating a win-win situation. This approach not only helps us grow as a business but also contributes to the global movement toward sustainability. The more initiatives we implement, the more we contribute to both business growth and environmental conservation, fostering greater awareness along the way.
