SOCIETY
Business ALFARDAN PREMIER MOTORS COLLECT AWARD
Alfardan Premier Motors Co. were presented with an award for second place in the prestigious JLR Dealer Of The Year award during a lavish gala award ceremony in Lebanon last month. Luxury motor manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover recognised its Middle Eastern, North African and Pakistani dealers for their successes achieved in the fiscal year 2011 to 2012. Robin Colgan, Managing Director Jaguar Land Rover Middle East, North Africa & Pakistan commented, “We have a very strong network of dealer partners across the region, and these awards recognise the important contribution they make to the success and future growth of the Jaguar Land Rover business, in what is a key region for us globally.” Dealers are reviewed annually on all aspects of business performance with award categories comprising Top After Sales, Top Sales, Customer Satisfaction (CSI), Marketing and Dealer of the Year.
VCUQATAR LAUNCH ‘DESIGN ENTREPRENEURSHIP NETWORK'
Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar has unveiled their ‘Design Entrepreneurship Network’ has been set up to assist aspiring entrepreneurs move from the identification and planning stage of a business, through to launch and implementation. It will offer one-to-one mentoring, access to seminars, exhibitions and networking events. “Through our network of partner organisations including Qatar Development Bank, The Bedaya Centre, The Social Development Centre and the Qatar Professional Women’s Network, aspiring young design entrepreneurs can access training and development programs; business planning advice; early stage funding; soft loans, personal development workshops and access to exhibition and retail space,” explained Roger Griffiths, director of Design Entrepreneurship and Industry Affiliations at VCUQatar. This initiative is in line with the Qatar National Vision and aims to support design-led innovation and startup businesses.
W HOTEL — WINNER AT THE WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS 2012
W Doha Hotel and Residences claimed two top awards at the recent annual World Travel Awards. Winning the sought after awards ‘Middle East's Leading Business Hotel’ and ‘Middle East Leading Hotel and Residences’, General Manager Mr. Safak Guvenc said, “We are delighted with these two awards; the fact that W Doha was selected amongst so many other brands in the region underscores W’s strong iconic style and commitment to innovation. W Doha offers today’s style-conscious consumers the unique experience of staying at a hotel that showcases the service culture of the lifestyle brand.” Perceived as the travel industry’s equivalent to the Oscars, the World Travel Awards are regarded as one of the biggest travel events of the year and serve to reward excellence across all sectors of the travel and tourism industry.
KATARA AND COMMERCIAL BANK IN NEW PARTNERSHIP
Katara is already a big player on the cultural scene and now they have teamed up with a big player in the world of banking. Commercial Bank of Qatar has signed an exclusive strategic partnership agreement with Katara in an endeavour to expand the arts and culture scene. With a united vision both Katara and Commercial Bank are keen to invest in the growth of the cultural scene in Qatar. President of Katara, Abdulrahman Al Khulaifi, commented, “The partnership will facilitate the development of the arts and culture industry in Qatar by building a common cultural awareness. Our joint initiatives will go towards furthering our vision through all kinds of artistic and cultural activities, ultimately supporting the development of a creative and innovative Qatar.”
CELEBRATING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
Get creative this June and participate in ‘Qatari Culture Manga Style!’ This drawing competition has been launched to mark the fourtieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Qatar and Japan. Organised by the Qatar Japan 2012 team at Qatar Museums Authority, in collaboration with Qatar Eastern Language Center, this manga drawing competition coincides with the yearlong series of cultural, sporting, business events and activities planned to celebrate the fourtieth anniversary. To enter you need to submit a drawing of a short manga that showcases an aspect of the Qatari culture and tradition that interest the Japanese audience. The drawings also need to include a message depicting Qatari culture. The concept behind the competition is to present a fusion of the two cultures by presenting the Qatari culture using an aspect of the Japanese culture. Entries should be submitted before 21 June. For more information and prize details visit www.qatarjapan2012.com. 116
Ohlala! I June 2012 I www.ohlala-magazine.com