Al Rawi

What Al Rawi does

Al Rawi (alrawi.ae) is the organizing entity and dedicated web platform for the ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2018, a major international tunneling and underground-space industry conference held 21-26 April 2018 at Dubai World Trade Centre under the theme 'The Role of Underground Space in Building Future Sustainable Cities.' It is operated in partnership with the Society of Engineers - UAE (SOE UAE) Tunnelling Chapter as host organization and MCI Middle East as Congress Secretariat, with the alrawi.ae domain established in 2017 to support the event. The congress is the flagship annual gathering of the International Tunneling and Underground Space Association (ITA-AITES), drawing more than 2,000 engineers, contractors, and industry professionals from over 70 ITA member nations — and notably was the first edition of the World Tunnel Congress ever held in the GCC region.

The product offering consists of a multi-track conference program, the ITA-CET Training Program, technical tours to active tunneling projects (including Route 2020), social and networking events, and a spouse program. Revenue is generated exclusively through event-cycle monetization: tiered attendee registration fees (USD 70 for one-day exhibition-only access up to USD 1,100 for onsite full conference), multi-tier sponsorship packages (Main, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Gala Dinner), and 122+ paid exhibitor booths. Pricing is published in USD with a 5% UAE VAT, with discounted rates for ITA Young Members (under 35) and Category 3 member-nation participants.

Al Rawi's customers are split between individual tunneling professionals and academic researchers paying registration fees, and corporate sponsors and exhibitors (e.g., CCCC as Main Sponsor, Mapei as Gold, Herrenknecht, Bekaert Maccaferri, Normet, BASF as Silver, ACCIONA as Gala Dinner Sponsor). Marketing distribution leverages the ITA-AITES international network, partnerships with industry media (TunnelTalk, Tunnels and Tunnelling International, GineersNow), and social channels under the @SOETunnelling handle. Al Rawi itself is not a technology company — it is an event-management vehicle with no proprietary technology platform, recurring product, or AI capabilities beyond standard conference-registration software.

Name

Al Rawi

Legal name

Al Rawi (alrawi.ae)

Website

https://alrawi.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Al Rawi (alrawi.ae) is the organizing entity for the ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2018 in Dubai, partnering with Society of Engineers - UAE and MCI Middle East to host the world's flagship tunneling industry congress for 2,000+ professionals from 70+ nations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Conference / Event Management

akta.pro primary industry

Transportation, Logistics & Mobility Shows Organizers (THAHABAL)

Keywords

• Tunnel engineering congress
• Underground space conference
• Tunnelling industry events
• ITA-AITES congress hosting
• Conference management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Conference Registration Fees: Revenue generated from attendee registration fees at various price points based on timing (early bird, regular, onsite) and category (full registration, student, ITA Young Members, one-day visitor pass). Additional fees for technical tours, ITA CET courses, and gala dinner.
2. Sponsorship and Exhibitor Fees: Revenue from multiple sponsorship tiers including Main Sponsor, Gold Sponsor, Silver Sponsors, Bronze Sponsors, Gala Dinner Sponsor, and exhibition booth rentals. Various companies sponsor at different levels with corresponding visibility and benefits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Al Rawi operates the ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2018, a six-day international conference and exhibition held 21–26 April 2018 at Dubai World Trade Centre under the theme "The Role of Underground Space in Building Future Sustainable Cities." The offering comprises the main congress with technical sessions, the ITA-CET Training Program, an Open Session on contractual practices including the FIDIC Emerald Book, Technical Tours to active tunnelling sites (Route 2020), and Social Events (Welcome Reception, ITAtech Industry Reception, ITA YMG Dinner, Gala Dinner). Revenue is generated through tiered attendee registration, paid training and tour add-ons, and a multi-tier sponsorship and exhibitor programme targeting tunnelling industry suppliers and contractors.

Product overview

Al Rawi operates the ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2018, a major international conference and exhibition focused on tunnelling and underground space development. The event runs from 21-26 April 2018 at Dubai World Trade Centre under the theme 'The Role of Underground Space in Building Future Sustainable Cities.' The offering includes the main congress conference with technical sessions, the ITA-CET Training Program for professional development, Technical Tours to active tunnelling project sites, and various Social Events for networking. Registration services provide tiered access including full conference, one-day visitor passes, student rates, and ITA Young Members discounts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SOE UAE Tunnelling Chapter: The tunnelling chapter of Society of Engineers - UAE established in 2011 to unite the regional tunnelling industry and promote underground space development
• ITA-AITES

Products and services

• ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2018 The world's leading annual tunnelling event, bringing together tunnel and underground space experts and professionals from ITA-AITES's 70+ member nations for technical sessions, exhibitions, and networking at Dubai World Trade Centre.
• ITA-CET Training Program Educational training programme covering underground construction and tunnelling topics, run alongside the congress for professional development of engineers and practitioners.
• Technical Tours Guided site visits to active tunnelling projects (including the Route 2020 metro extension) providing hands-on industry experience for congress attendees.
• Gala Dinner (25 April 2018) Ticketed networking dinner (USD 100 per person) included within the Social Events programme alongside the Welcome Reception, ITAtech Industry Reception, and ITA YMG Dinner.
• Sponsorship and Exhibitor Programme (WTC 2018) Tiered sponsorship and exhibition packages (Main, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Gala Dinner) sold to tunnelling industry suppliers and contractors for brand visibility and lead generation at the congress.

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• ITA-AITES (International Tunneling and Underground Space Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011The International Tunneling and Underground Space Association is the leading international organization promoting tunnel and underground space use. ITA has held World Tunnel Congress annually since formation in 1974, with over 70 member nations. The Society of Engineers - UAE Tunnelling Chapter became an ITA member nation in 2011.
• Society of Engineers - UAE (SOE UAE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe host organization for WTC 2018. SOE UAE was formally organized in 1979 and has 40,000 members. The Society established the SOE UAE Tunnelling Chapter in 2011. Contact: Tel: +971 4-2399555, www.soeuae.ae
• MCI Middle EastcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCongress Secretariat handling registration, logistics, and event management. Contact: Tel: +971 4 311 6300, Fax: +971 4 311 6301, Email: [email protected]
• Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner and destination host. DWTC is the Middle East's largest purpose-built complex for events and exhibitions, operating since 1979. Located on Sheikh Zayed Road with direct metro access.
• Emirates AirlineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Airline Partner for WTC 2018. Promotion code EVE6WTC provides 10% discount on Business and Economy Class return fares for attendees traveling 14 April - 4 May 2018. Emirates operates to 155+ destinations globally.
• AgilityminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOfficial logistics partner and international freight forwarder for the congress. Handles onsite logistics, customs, and delivery coordination. Contact: Mr. Abu Turab Kuvawala, Business Development Manager, Mobile: +97150 5549926
• Dubai Tourism (Destination Partner)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDubai's official tourism body as destination partner, promoting Dubai as a leading business events destination in Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
• WTC 2019 Naples (Promotion Partner)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNext year's World Tunnel Congress in Naples, Italy, serving as promotion partner for continuity of the ITA congress series.
• TunnelTalkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Media Partner with over 7,000 weekly Alert subscribers and 45,000+ monthly unique web readers generating 3.5 million hits.
• CCCC (China Communications Construction Company)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerMain Sponsor of WTC 2018. Global infrastructure company operating in 140+ countries, ranked 3rd on ENR's Top 225 international contractors and 103rd on Fortune Global 500. Built Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Link Island and Tunnel Project.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Informa Markets: Largest global B2B events and exhibitions organizer, with construction and infrastructure shows (e.g., The Big 5 family, cityscape events). Comparable as a diversified incumbent in the trade show / conference space relevant to Al Rawi's category.
• Reed Exhibitions: Global exhibition organizer operating across infrastructure and construction verticals. Comparable as a broad incumbent running large-format industry events in similar verticals.
• Messe München (bauma): Operates bauma, the world's largest construction-machinery trade fair, and other infrastructure-focused events. Comparable as a major international exhibition organizer serving the construction/heavy infrastructure audience that overlaps with Al Rawi's tunneling community.
• dmg events (Big 5): Runs the Big 5 construction trade show in Dubai and adjacent infrastructure events across the Middle East. Comparable as a Dubai-based MICE operator addressing the regional construction ecosystem that Al Rawi also serves.

Emerging players

• Trenchless Technology Magazine / Center for Innovative Grouting Materials: Specialized media and events platform for trenchless and underground construction, including the annual Trenchless Technology Road Show. Comparable as a niche tunnel/underground infrastructure event and content organizer.
• GeoWorld / GeoStrata Magazine (ASCE Geo-Institute): Runs the Geo-Congress and publishes underground / geotechnical engineering content. Comparable as an academic-led event organizer for underground infrastructure professionals, serving a partially overlapping audience.
• PennWell (Engineering & Construction Media Group): B2B media and events group running infrastructure and engineering conferences (e.g., POWER-GEN). Comparable as a vertically focused events and media business serving engineering professionals.

Regional players

• British Tunnelling Society (BTS): UK-based tunnelling industry association that runs regional tunneling conferences, lectures, and training. Comparable as a national tunnelling chapter organizing educational events, though it competes in the UK rather than the GCC.

Direct peers

• TunnelTalk: Official media partner for WTC 2018 with 45,000+ monthly readers and 7,000+ weekly Alert subscribers. A specialized tunneling media outlet that serves the same global audience Al Rawi convenes, including event coverage and industry news.
• MCI Group: The congress secretariat for WTC 2018, MCI Middle East handles registration, sponsorship sales, and on-site logistics. As a global association and event management firm, it is the closest operational peer — comparable in conference delivery model though at materially larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SOETunnelling
• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=ijWShJAXU3M
• Facebookfacebook.com/SOETunnelling
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/al-rawi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Al Rawi