English UK's latest small fair has attracted fantastic feedback from members delighted at the quality of agents and the opportunity to spend plenty of time with them.

The event, held at a luxury resort hotel in the United Arab Emirates, followed our usual format of restricted numbers and an inclusive social programme on top of formal appointments and seminars, to maximise networking opportunities.

"This was one of the best English UK events I have attended and not only because of the great hotel we were placed in but also because of the high quality of agents who were present and were all interested in what our school had to offer," said Joe Aquilina of Clubclass Language Schools.

Hannah Alexander-Wright of Language Centre, University of the Arts London, thought the vast majority of the agents were enthusiastic and engaged, and ready to do business. "I think I spoke to every agent there and got to know quite a few before we met officially."

Colm O'Byrne of Winchester School of English added: "The English UK Fair in Ras al-Khaimah provided our school with a unique opportunity to spend quality time with carefully selected agents from a very important region. I believe that we had many more successful meetings at this fair than we may ordinarily have at larger international events that are not solely focussed on the UK market. The smaller more intimate format of the fair enabled us to mix with educators, agents and senior members of the English UK team during formal and relaxed social activities and this time too was invaluable."

English UK staff present at the fair included our late chief executive, Eddie Byers, who welcomed all the delegates and made himself available to talk to everyone at networking sessions. Sadly this was his last English UK event as he died suddenly a few days after returning to the UK.

Roz Rozidor, who led the fair, thought it had been one of the most successful yet. "There was a great atmosphere and everyone seemed to be getting on well and building good relationships for business - which is exactly what we want. Lots of our delegates really appreciated getting the chance to talk to Eddie, too."

Agents, too, appreciate what the English UK Fairs have to offer. "I would like to thank English UK for arranging such events that can connect reputable educators in the UK and representatives in the world. My firm has been growing rapidly since my first participation in 2014 till now. These fairs have helped me significantly to reach my business goals in easy and well organised manner," commented Zayed Irshaid of Kuwaiti agency the London College of United Knowledge.

The fair, held at the Waldorf Astoria Ras al-Khaimah, was attended by 35 agents from regional markets, 24 English UK member centres and two exhibitors. Networking events included two grand dinners and an evening in the desert experiencing a Bedouin camp, with camel riding, henna tattoos and traditional entertainment.

Visit the English UK Fairs website to see an album of photographs from the event

The next English UK regional fair will be in Warsaw in March 2016 -  bringing accredited UK English teaching centres together with selected screened agents from Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe.