Madinat Jumeirah, the Arabian Resort of Dubai, will offer the largest hotel event space in the United Arab Emirates when the Fort Island expansion is completed in October 2015. Set over 1,750 square meters, the space has tripled in size and is set to host banquets, parties, exhibitions, product launches, music concerts, weddings, sports events and festivals for up to 1,400 people.

Margaret Paul, Resort General Manager, said: “We are delighted to be unveiling the new Fort Island at Madinat Jumeirah, one of the city’s most innovative and exclusive outdoor venues. This redevelopment demonstrates our commitment to continually enhance the guest experience and we look forward to catering for a larger and wider range of prestigious events for the meetings, incentives, conference and events (MICE) industry. The new venue has been rebuilt to accommodate large marquees and will provide versatile space for every type of event.”

The capacities at Fort Island have increased from 425 people to 1400 people in a cocktail set-up and from 250 people to 1100 people in a banquet style set-up in rounds of 10.

The venue will feature an attractive and sustainable landscape, while preserving the fort’s traditional look and feel. Located in the heart of the resort and surrounded by Madinat Jumeirah’s characteristic waterways, the venue has spectacular views of the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. The venue was originally commissioned in recognition of the history, culture and character of old Dubai and was inspired by the Al Fahdi fort located in the oldest existing part of the Dubai creek.

Fort Island will be connected to the resort by four bridges and guests can also access the venue by the traditional wooden abra boats when staying in one of Madinat Jumeirah’s three hotels. Its privileged location, steps away from the bustling Souk Madinat, the 600-seater outdoor amphitheatre, Madinat Theatre and the nearest hotel, Jumeirah Mina A’Salam makes Fort Island a one-of-a-kind venue for spectacular events.

An integral part of the existing and award winning Madinat Jumeirah’s Conference Centre, the new island will increase the centre’s overall capacity to 9,000 people over 10,000 square meters.

The Conference Centre is home to international events such as Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), the World Economic Forum and is the proud sponsor of Art Dubai. Madinat Jumeirah offers a variety of multipurpose indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the resort.
These range from meeting rooms, banquet and events facilities to over 40 restaurants, all are accessible from the resort’s three hotels – Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, Jumeirah Al Qasr, andJumeirah Dar Al Masyaf by buggy, by foot, or traditional abras.