Said Al Shanfari has led Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre since 2018, overseeing the country’s flagship business-events venue and becoming one of the region’s most visible advocates for the sector. His influence extends beyond the building. He serves on the Oman Tourism Association board, chairs the Middle East and Africa chapter of UFI, the global exhibition industry association, and has been selected as UFI president for 2027 to 2028.
His route into events was not conventional. Al Shanfari built much of his earlier career in telecommunications, including leadership roles associated with Omantel and Ooredoo. That experience developed expertise in commercial transformation, customer service and technology. He also completed Oman’s National CEO Programme, holds an MBA from the University of Hull, earned two bachelor’s degrees from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and pursued executive education with London Business School and IMD. He is an accredited coach.
At OCEC, those skills are applied to a venue that can bring global professional communities to Muscat. International congresses and exhibitions generate hotel nights and airline demand, but their deeper value lies in the exchange of knowledge, investment leads and sector development. A medical congress, energy exhibition or technology forum can support national priorities long after delegates leave.
Al Shanfari has worked to position the centre as part of Oman’s destination proposition rather than an isolated rental facility. Winning events requires collaboration with ministries, professional associations, hotels, Oman Air, local organizers and international ambassadors. The venue’s sales team cannot create a successful bid alone. His ability to convene those partners is one of his most important leadership functions.
Business events also help address seasonality. Leisure demand may concentrate around weather and holidays, while conferences can fill weekdays and targeted periods. Delegates often spend more than average visitors and may return with families. Al Shanfari’s strategy therefore connects venue occupancy to broader tourism yield.
His UFI responsibilities amplify Oman’s voice in the global exhibitions industry. They also expose OCEC to best practice in sustainability, data, safety and digital engagement. The test is to bring those insights home, developing local organizers and event professionals rather than depending entirely on imported expertise.
Al Shanfari has made the case that a convention centre is economic and intellectual infrastructure. Under his leadership, OCEC serves as a front door for sectors Oman wants to grow and a stage on which the country can host international dialogue. His forthcoming UFI presidency confirms that the influence now runs both ways: Oman is not only participating in the global business-events community, but helping lead it.
Venue economics nevertheless demand relentless attention. Large exhibition halls carry fixed costs even when dark, and international bids can take years to convert.
Al Shanfari must balance prestigious congresses with consumer shows, corporate events and local demand that keep spaces productive. Data on delegate spend, lead generation and repeat visitation helps justify public and private investment beyond simple occupancy.
Oman’s distinctive advantage is the ability to attach meaningful pre- and post-event travel to Muscat meetings. Mountains, desert, coast and heritage sites are accessible without turning the trip into a separate expedition. Al Shanfari can work with organizers and destination companies to integrate those experiences at the proposal stage. This raises visitor value and gives OCEC a competitive story that larger venues cannot reproduce through floor area alone.
