As CONNECT marks 40 years of shaping Oman’s exhibitions and conferences landscape, the milestone reflects far more than longevity. It stands as a testament to four decades of advancing industry dialogue, enabling business connections, accelerating knowledge exchange, and positioning the Sultanate as a regional and international hub for investment, innovation, and collaboration.

Founded in 1986, CONNECT has evolved in parallel with Oman’s economic and social development, consistently delivering world-class platforms that support national priorities, drive sectoral growth, and strengthen international engagement. Over time, its platforms have grown from standalone events into strategic, year-round ecosystems that actively contribute to economic development, policy dialogue, and market advancement.

Today, CONNECT is not only the most established Oman-based event organiser, but also the largest. Its flagship events: Oman Petroleum & Energy Show (OPES), Oman Sustainability Week (OSW), and Oman Design & Build Week (ODBW), are currently the only events to occupy the entire Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), including all exhibition halls, meeting rooms, and ballrooms. With demand continuing to grow, CONNECT anticipates the need to introduce temporary structures at its flagship events within the next two years to accommodate increasing international participation.

In 2025 alone, CONNECT’s events attracted more than 70,000 visits from over 40 countries, reinforcing Oman’s growing role as a regional and global convening hub for high-impact industry dialogue.

CONNECT’s top-tier platforms: Oman Petroleum and Energy Show, Oman Sustainability Week, and Oman Design and Build Week, delivered a combined 70,955 visits in 2025, including 20,609 unique international attendees. Based on an average stay of 2.5 nights, these events generated an estimated 27,905 hotel bed-nights, contributing over RO2.5 million in direct economic impact, with wider tourism, hospitality, transport, and services spending driving total economic benefits exceeding RO4 million to the national economy.

Beyond economic impact, CONNECT’s platforms are also recognised for their quality and experience. In 2025, the average Net Promoter Score (NPS) across OPES and OSW reached +42, one of the highest event satisfaction scores in the region, reflecting strong international confidence in Oman’s event ecosystem and CONNECT’s delivery standards.

Sayyid Khalid bin Hamed bin Hamoud Al Busaidi – Executive Chairman, SABCO Group said, “Marking 40 years of CONNECT is a moment of great pride. Since its founding in 1986, CONNECT has grown from a pioneering idea into one of the region’s most respected event organisers: a journey built on excellence, ambition, and the dedication of exceptional people. The company’s recent international recognition reflects not only the quality of its platforms, but the values and professionalism behind them. As the industry evolves and new opportunities emerge, CONNECT is exceptionally well positioned to lead its next chapter with confidence and vision. I extend my sincere appreciation to our partners and our teams, past and present, for their contributions to this remarkable journey.”

Ashley Roberts, Managing Director, CONNECT, said, “2026 marks CONNECT’s 40th anniversary, a milestone we approach with pride and confidence in what the business represents today. While four decades of growth is significant, it is our momentum that defines this moment, with 2026 shaping up to be a record year. This success reflects disciplined strategy, clear vision, and a focus on long-term value. At the heart of this performance is our talent, the creativity, resilience, and commitment of our people, supported by a strong and adaptive strategy that enables us not just to navigate but to lead an evolving events landscape. Purposeful investments in our platforms, teams, and partnerships ensure connect remains ambitious, relevant, and trusted. I sincerely thank our shareholders for their confidence, our employees for their dedication, and our clients and partners for growing alongside us. As we celebrate 40 years and look ahead, i am confident our strongest chapters are still ahead, with sustained growth, meaningful impact, and continued leadership.”

This commitment to excellence also extends to CONNECT as an organisation. In 2025, the company achieved Great Place to Work certification, making CONNECT one of fewer than 30 companies in Oman to receive this internationally recognised accreditation, underscoring its focus on culture, people, and organisational sustainability. CONNECT’s growing international standing has also been recognised on the global stage, with the company named as a finalist at the prestigious Association of Event Organisers (AEO) Excellence Awards 2025, as well as the Middle East Event Awards, further reinforcing Oman’s reputation within the global MICE industry.