Express Espresso
Coffee Convention at the Dubai World Trade Centre

When Tim Ross from McNally Design Group Middle East met Dan Simpson and Sean Butler at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on the 1st of July they had just received confirmation that they had secured the site for the new coffee shop in the DWTC Convention Centre..... but they had also learned that the coffee shop needed to be completed and open for business in time for the IMF (International Monetary Fund) World Bank Board of Governors Meeting which was to take place from 18th - 24th September 2003.

 

In reality this required the coffee shop to be completed by 9 September 2003, to facilitate some time for the newly established George V Hospitality (the operating Company managed by Dan and Sean) to train staff and set up for the Conference. In addition they had been advised by DWTC that from 9 September 2003 a strict security cordon was to be established around the Convention Centre and all materials arriving on site would have to be screened.

Located immediately adjacent to the main entrance to the principal meeting hall, which would hold some 3000 delegates, this was an opportunity not to be missed. Concept designs were prepared in McNally Design's Dublin studio and converted to computerized 3D images using digital photographs and computer drawings prepared
in Dubai. The first 3D visuals were sent back to Dubai on 10 July 2003.

These were used to develop technical details for the bar counters, in parallel with drawing up equipment and services layouts for the coffee counter, back bar counter and pantry all of which were completed by 14 July 2003 ready for pricing.

A major challenge, with only 8 weeks to completion, lay in sourcing the materials and equipment. Of particular concern was the furniture, which could not be procured locally however McNally Design's purchasing department pulled out all the stops and the furniture was air freighted into Dubai at the end of August in plenty of time for the 9th September deadline.

The name 'Coffee Convention' was unanimously approved by all associated with the project. Covering an area of 540 square metres it is the focal point of the main concourse at the new Dubai Convention Centre. With 165 covers and a coffee bar 14.5 metres in length it is one of, if not the, biggest coffee shop in Dubai, already renowned for it's coffee houses.

Business during the IMF World Bank Conference was brisk indeed and over the 6 days of the Conference they served 7,500 customers. With the major Interiors Exhibition Index taking place between 7 and 11 October and many other major events on the schedule Coffee Convention expects to be a resounding success.