Update 21 November 2008:
The exhibitor handbook for this event has been distributed to all confirmed participants.

This event is now closed for applications.

Key details

The participation fee includes:

• venue hire
• stand hire, fascia board, table, two chairs
• PR campaign: press conference, advertising on web / newspapers, flyers
• market briefing, receptions, stand assistants, interpreters, refreshments
• discounted hotel rates, local transport.

Stand sharing is available at a premium of 20 per cent on the cost of participation.

Please note that the participation fee does not include international or domestic travel, accommodation, subsistence or freight, except where stated.

Female delegates are able to attend these exhibitions.

The exhibition in Dammam will be held over two days, following feedback from participants at the previous event that the venue was over-crowded when the exhibition was only open for one day.

This year, we have set a target to reduce our overall exhibition costs by 12 per cent. The total exhibition costs have risen in Dammam by 1.3 per cent, in Riyadh by 29.8 per cent and in Jeddah by 43 per cent. The main reason that the target reduction has not been met in Dammam is that the exhibition will be held over two days rather than one. In Riyadh and Jeddah, there are several reasons for the cost increases. The venues for the exhibitions in Riyadh and Jeddah were booked free-of-charge in December 2007, but external venues are being used in January 2009, which has increased the cost of the events. It is also important to ensure that the venues used for the exhibitions are secure. There is an 11 per cent rate of inflation in Saudi Arabia, which has affected all aspects of the event budget, and newspaper advertising is also very expensive, but has been included as an essential part of the promotional campaign for the exhibition.

Target markets
Undergraduate and pre-university subject chapters
Specifically the following key subject areas:

• English language
• Access and foundation
• Applied and pure sciences
• Built and natural environment
• Computing, mathematics and IT
• Engineering and technology
• Health and medicine
• Law
• Management, business and finance
• Social sciences and communications
• Visual and creative arts
• Learning at a distance

Postgraduate and MBA subject chapters
Specifically the following key subject areas:

• English language
• Applied and pure sciences
• Built and natural environment
• Computing, mathematics and IT
• Engineering and technology
• Health and medicine
• Law
• Management, business and finance
• MBA
• Social sciences and communications
• Visual and creative arts
• Learning at a distance

Market information

• Saudi Arabia market introduction
• Partnership members can access more detailed education market intelligence, including international student data and country profiles
• An event report is available for the November 2007 Education UK Exhibition in Saudi Arabia

Programme (draft)
Riyadh

	Date Time Activity Friday 23 January 2009 Arrive in Riyadh 1930–2100 Reception dinner Saturday 24 January 2009 0900–1200 Briefings: British Council Embassy Higher Education King Abdullah Scholarship Programme 1200–1400 Free 1400 Travel to venue 1500–1600 Set up stands 1600 Official opening 1630–2100 Exhibition open to the public Sunday 25 January 2009 1000 Travel to venue 1100–1300 Girls schools visits 1300–1500 Boys schools visits 1500–1600 Light lunch 1600–2100 Exhibition open to the public Monday 26 January 2009 Travel to Jeddah

Jeddah

	Date Time Activity Monday 26 January 2009 Arrive in Jeddah 1930–2100 Reception dinner Tuesday 27 January 2009 morning Free 1430–1530 Travel to venue and set up stands 1600 Official opening 1630–2100 Exhibition open to the public Wednesday 28 January 2009 0800 Travel to venue 0900–1100 Girls schools visits 1100–1300 Boys schools visits 1300 Return to hotel for lunch 1530 Travel to venue 1600–2100 Exhibition open to the public Thursday 29 January 2009 Free Friday 30 January 2009 Travel to Dammam

Dammam

	Date Time Activity Friday 30 January 2009 Arrive in Dammam 1930–2100 Reception dinner Saturday 31 January 2009 morning Free 1430–1530 Travel to venue and set up stands 1600 Official opening 1630–2100 Exhibition open to the public Sunday 1 February 2009 0800 Travel to venue 0900–1100 Girls schools visits 1100–1300 Boys schools visits 1300 Return to hotel for lunch 1530 Travel to venue 1600–2100 Exhibition open to the public

Venues
Riyadh
Yamamah College

Jeddah
Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Dammam
Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Visa requirements
Visas are required for all delegates attending these exhibitions. Please read the following important visa application information before applying to attend the exhibition.

Using your education agent
From past experience, we strongly recommend that delegates apply for a visa through their agent in Saudi Arabia. If you require assistance in finding an agent in Saudi Arabia, please contact Ahmed Menyawi, British Council Saudi Arabia.

Using the British Council
If you do not have a Saudi-based agent and are a British national, the British Council is able to make arrangements for delegates' visas through the British Embassy by acquiring a Visa Authorisation Number (VAN). However, please note that this process is complicated and the deadlines for obtaining visas may be extremely tight.

If you do decide to apply for a visa with the British Council, the process is as follows:

• Institutions must apply before the application deadline in order to obtain a visa through the British Council. The British Council will be unable to help with visa applications received after this date.
• British nationals wishing to apply for a visa through the British Council must send a scanned copy of the following via e-mail to Ahmed Menyawi, copying in the Events team in Manchester, to arrive no later than 24 October 2008:
• the photograph page of the specific passport that will be used to issue the delegate's visa
• a passport-sized photograph of the delegate.

General visa advice

• The British Council strongly recommends that delegates obtain a second passport to avoid complications if they are travelling when their Saudi visa is being issued.
• Please note that when you apply to the Saudi Embassy in London to obtain your visa, you can only apply through an official agency. You can no longer approach the embassy in person. Visas should also only be issued within 30 days of travel to Saudi Arabia.
• Further visa information and advice is available for British nationals (27KB) and non-British nationals (14KB).
• Information is also available on the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, London website.

Freight
The deadlines for freight collection by our recommended freight handler are:

• Air freight: 23 December 2008

Sea freight is not available for this event.

The participation fee does not include freight costs and these are the responsibility of the participating institution.

Cancellation
Cancellation fees will be charged for withdrawal from this event, as of the date of receipt of notice of withdrawal:

• 50 per cent of the full event cost for withdrawals received on or after 14 November 2008
• 100 per cent of the full event cost for withdrawals received on or after 12 December 2008

Notice of withdrawal must be supplied in writing. If faxed, it should be followed by the original copy being sent by post.

Applications
This event is now closed for applications.

All applications are subject to the Education UK exhibitions terms and conditions, which include the eligibility and selection criteria and details of when you will be informed whether your application has been accepted or rejected.

If you have any queries about this event, please contact the Education UK Events Helpdesk.