Local and foreign experts discussed the role of groups and associations in society and in the economy at the opening on Sunday of the 2nd Saudi Conventions & Exhibition Forum (SCEF) at the Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh.

Abdullah A. Al-Jehani, adviser to the president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquity (SCTA), delivered the welcome address. He is also the supervisor of the Saudi Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB).

Tariq Al-Essa, SECB executive director, discussed the role of SECB in the development of association’s meetings in conventions and exhibitions.

“The development of the exhibition and convention sector, including related services, is important to stimulate economic growth and diversity in Saudi Arabia,” he said.

Al-Essa, an engineer, said: “Experts on various sectors will enrich your knowledge and enhance your experiences for the betterment of the Kingdom’s exhibition sector through their presentations.”

“In addition to the second edition of the SCEF, we will also present the first Saudi Association Day. The program is the first of its kind to be held in the country and will bring together executives from professional, scientific and medical associations,” he said.

He expressed the hope that the program will be of great help to develop the organization of association meetings, conventions and seminars.

Accompanying the SCEF educational program is an exhibition highlighting the organizations, which have made the 2nd SCEF successful.

It highlights the most prominent companies working as organizers, venues and service providers in the country’s exhibition and convention sector.

“It is our aim to grow the exhibition and attendance even more among all of the sector’s various categories in the 3rd SCEF to be held in Dammam from Nov. 8 to 10, 2015,” Al Essa said.

Robin Lockerman, president of the Singapore-based MCI Group Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., discussed the role of societies in developing conferences and associations.

He also talked about the role of associations in the economic and business sectors, and how these are structured all over the world. Talking on associations all over the world, he said, there are 92,331 trade and professional associations in the United States employing 1.2 million.

He noted that membership associations spend far more on education and professional development than on lobbying.

“The industry of meetings supports 1.7 million jobs and accounts for $263 billion in spending,” he said.

He added that in Europe associations are all active, noting that Belgium is the seat of many global associations such as FAIB (Federation of International Associations in Belgium).

“The number of international associations based in Belgium is also increasing,” he said.

He added that there are approximately 60,000 associations in China employing around 400,000 people. Their headquarters are in Beijing with branch offices all over China. He noted that there are changes as per the last China Master Plan.

“Associations have become independent from the government and they supervise and coordinate industry or professions, spread economic success, settle disputes and develop new sources of revenues,” he said.

He said in India and the Middle East, there are 472 international and 144 regional associations, adding that 65 associations have headquarters in the region.

“Regarding board members, there are 1,169 within India and South Africa. There will be 263 international and regional congresses after 2015,” he said. He said that South Africa (93), India (85) and the UAE (23) will be the top destinations.