The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) has hosted the first 'Hotel Security Directors Group 2022' meeting, with more than 80 delegates from hotels across Qatar in attendance.

The session – which took place at Lusail's Mondrian Hotel – was attended by representatives from 30 hotels, and hosted by Mohammad Al Sulaiti, the SC's Executive Director of Security. The meeting was chaired by Janet Williams – Security Committee Advisor to the British Prime Minister, Chair of Operation Stadia at INTERPOL and Special Advisor to the SC.

The objectives of the meeting were to inform each director of the security provisions that will impact their business in the run-up to and during the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ and, by sharing information and best practice, help each attendee ensure the hotels in Qatar maintain appropriate standards of security over the coming years and beyond.

In welcoming the delegation, Al Sulaiti highlighted the importance of the initiative. He said: "We are doing all we can to protect Qatar and her people by continually reviewing terrorist incidents, assessing modus operandi and intent, learning lessons, and carefully considering changes to our systems, processes, training requirements and protective security posture.

"We are also building international confidence in our security as we advance our preparations towards 2022. Terrorism is morphing and requires a dynamic response.

"I look forward to learning how this has been a catalyst for change in your respective department or unit as we all work together to keep our beloved Qatar safe and secure."

The meeting was divided into three sections. The first, a presentation by Williams on terrorism and protective security – with particular focus on crowded places and lessons learned from recent global trends.

At the meeting, she also launched the '2017 Terrorism Review' and provided attendees the opportunity to register their interest to receive quarterly updates.

Williams said the session and continued collaboration between public and private sectors over the coming years will be a pivotal part of keeping the country safe, and also highlighted the importance of staying alert to developing threats, such as cybercrime.

"By working together with the private sector, and in particular with private security operations and private sector staff, the emergency services can extend their impact through the development and dissemination of guidance materials," she said.

"The private and public sectors must also continue to work together on cyber security. The opportunities the internet offers also extend to terrorists seeking to cause maximum damage and disruption. Only by working in full cooperation can we defend our systems from attack."

She continued: "There are certain similarities in terrorist real-world and cyber-world planning. One of these is the need for reconnaissance. Systems can be developed to identify both types of reconnaissance and detect, deter or disrupt an attack before it takes place."

Following Williams' session and a networking break, the second section was led by Alun Maxwell Thomas, Programme Manager for Non-Competition Venues at the 2022 FIFA World Cup™.

Within his presentation he discussed the impact 2022 FIFA World Cup™ preparations and delivery will continue to have on hotel security. He also shared what is involved in other non-competition venues, including the International Broadcast Centre (IBC), fan zones, transport hubs and non-hotel accommodations.

Thomas ended the presentation by encouraging delegates to ensure the meeting marked the start of a long-term collaborative approach with every hotel security team in Qatar, thus ensuring no planning is carried out in isolation and security is delivered to enable an "amazing experience" for everyone visiting in 2022.

The meeting concluded with a Q&A session, and group photo.