Due to its continuing success in the region, the ICSC/MECSC International School for Professional Development returns to Dubai from June 7-11, 2009 at Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - The 2009 ICSC/MECSC International School for Professional Development, an intensive 5 day program, which is exclusively designed for Retail Real Estate Industry Professionals and jointly organized by the International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC) and the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres (MECSC), will feature 2 concurrent levels leading to an ICSC Management and Marketing Institute Certificate.
Last year's event set new records with over 115 enrolled participants from 15 countries, including Algeria, Bahrain, Denmark, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, UAE and Yemen.
As a result of their successful participation in the program, 5 MECSC members completed the ICSC Global Examinations in autumn of 2008 and achieved their respective designations as Certified Shopping Center Manager, Certified Leasing Specialist, Certified Marketing Director or Certified Development, Design and Construction Professional.
Highlighting the importance of this unique educational training program, Kim Redman, MECSC Regional Director stated:
"Given the increased competition within the industry due to the growing number of existing and soon to be completed shopping malls in the region and the challenging effects of the current economic climate, Shopping Centre Professionals must now focus more than ever on how to market, lease and operate their centres successfully. Learning from seasoned industry experts and exchanging experiences with other industry peers will help participants to successfully cope with the challenging circumstances".
In five intensive days, the participants, consisting of Shopping Centre Managers, Marketing and Leasing professionals, will gain basic fundamentals and advanced knowledge to effectively manage the income and retail productivity of their shopping centres. Besides offering a great learning experience the program also provides an excellent opportunity for industry professionals to network and build relationships with colleagues from across the region.
" The Retail Real Estate industry in the region has seen amazing developments in recent years, not only did the shopping centers multiply but they got bigger and better in every aspect with better merchandising mix, improved facilities, extraordinary attractions and enhanced marketing efforts. This calls for the need for more qualified and certified professionals that are well updated with the latest strategies and processes delivered by some of the world's finest experts in the field. This is an essential program for all Shopping Centre Professionals in all levels" comments Maher Al Shaer, President of the MECSC.
An outstanding group of experienced international and regional faculty will help participants gain insight into the best practices followed in international markets as well as learn from practical experiences that are dominant in this region.
Walter Kleinschmit, one of the founding members of the MECSC and a seasoned industry expert with more than 25 years of experience in the retail and development industry in the Middle East, points out the fact that professional development and training is of utmost significance in these times:
"Although the MECSC/ICSC shares many of the same financial challenges of the industry we are organised to serve, the commitment to provide top notch professional education options is not compromised. Once again we bring to Dubai, some of the most qualified members of the ICSC International faculty to share their experience with local retail real estate managers. If ever there was a time to invest in one's professional qualifications and improved capabilities and skills and expand one's network of professional resources, now is the time."
Celebrating its 10th edition in the Middle East this year, the event has grown to become the largest international School held outside the United States.
For further information please contact the MECSC office on register@mecsc.org, telephone +9714 359 7909 or visit www.mecsc.org
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Note to editors:
The Middle East Council of Shopping Centres is based in Dubai and is a voluntary non-profit association. Established in 1994, the council has over 800 active members, presided over by Majid Saif Al Ghurair, President of the BurJuman Centre.
MECSC represents shopping mall owners, developers, marketing managers, leasing managers and specialists, retailers, consultants, property managers, financiers, accountants, government officials and industry suppliers. MECSC covers a territory of 17 countries including Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia in North Africa; Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria in the Levant; the six Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Iran, Iraq and Yemen.
For further information, please contact:
Sheryl Rebello
Middle East Council of Shopping Centres
Dubai, UAE
Tel: 9714 3597909
Fax: 9714 3558818
Email: sheryl@mecsc.org
Website: www.mecsc.org
© Press Release 2009
