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28 March 2024

Dubai trade show organisers stay bullish on growth

As participation from major sectors affirms the strength of Dubai as a destination for such events. (EB FILE)

Published
By Shveta Pathak

Major international exhibitions and conferences in Dubai will see a 10 to 15 per cent rise in participation this year compared to 2008.

Organisers of prominent exhibitions such as Dubai Airshow 2009, The Big 5 and Media and Marketing Show told Emirates Business that they are increasing exhibition space in response to high demand this time.

However, reflecting the beating the property sector took during the economic crisis, Cityscape, the international property investment and development exhibition, is likely to see a 25 to 30 per cent drop in the number of participants. Its organisers have also reduced the space allocation for the exhibition this year due to "changes in the market".

As participation from major sectors affirms the strength of Dubai as a destination for such events, economists said it would also take the emirate a step further in its diversification plans and could result in an increase in the contribution that comes from the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (Mice) sector to the GDP.

Armed with innovative strategies in response to challenges posed by the economic environment, the organisers have gone an extra mile to ensure maximum benefits for their participants and visitors and this year would witness a host of new conferences, events and opportunities to network better and generate business.


Increased participation

"We are extremely optimistic about The Big 5 this year. The exhibition has expanded by 15 per cent and 92 per cent of the space is already sold out, which are positive indicators that the international construction industry remains committed to the region," said Paula A Chami, Event Director for The Big 5.

The rise in participation this year has proved false the fears of fallout from economic challenges on the events.

"So far, visitors have pre-registered from more than 70 countries which, again, despite this year having a clear slowdown in growth, is encouraging. It seems the event is coming just at the right time and is a tried and trusted forum for the building and construction industry. We look forward to seeing the outcome of the 2009 event for the industry," said Chami.

The Big 5, which will be held in the last week of November, has grown to include the new halls being constructed at The Dubai World Trade Centre, making it 15 per cent larger than last year. The event will occupy halls 1-8, Zabeel, Sheikh Rashid, Sheikh Maktoum and the new halls 9-11. PMV will occupy hall 12. There is 43,000 sqm of exhibiting space for Big 5, said its organisers.

In 2008, there were 26 national pavilions with participating companies coming from 53 countries occupying 38,000 sqm of floor space.

Dubai Airshow, the largest aerospace event in the Middle East, is also expecting a 10 per cent rise in the number of exhibitors and trade visitors as well as a 30 per cent increase in regional exhibitors, said its organisers.

The airshow will add a fourth exhibition hall this year, which will be sponsored and hosted by Emirates airline. The additional hall, named the Emirates Hall, will provide an additional 7,000 sqm of exhibition space, taking the entire space to 325,513 sqm.

"We had 860 exhibitors and 45,000 trade visitors for the past show. We forecast a 10 per cent growth on those figures for Dubai Air Show 2009, which is to be held from November 15 to 19. So despite the economic climate, we are still growing at Dubai Air Show," said Allison Weller, Director of F&E Aerospace.

This year the air show organisers are forecasting about 900 exhibitors and 50,000 visitors based on current and prospective bookings until the show date in November.

The encouraging response, said Weller, shows the global aerospace industry can look to this region for indications of recovery.

The Media and Marketing Show (MMS) too will see a 15 per cent increase in participation and space this year. Its organisers said that 90 per cent of the space is already sold out.

Maysoon Abulhoul, Managing Director, Domus Group, organisers for the show, said: "This year the show is on a bigger scale. There is a 15 per cent increase in space. We are expecting higher participation from production companies and also more high-profile exhibitors. There has not been any shrinking in terms of participation and the response indicates that media companies are still keen in interacting on a common platform and gain access to the latest information on marketing which this show will provide them with."

The numbers, she said, are not finalised and there may be further additions.

MMS 2009 will be held in November and will feature the region's leaders in the media and marketing industry, content producers, service providers as well as knowledge-sharing opportunities, including seminars and conferences.


Property hit

The economic crisis did hit some sectors hard and property is one of them. Cityscape 2009 is likely to see a 25-30 per cent drop in participation and space compared to the previous year. Similarly, Index, an exhibition for interiors, that has sold out 90 per cent of the space, would see 10-15 per cent decline in participation.

"This time we are expecting 25 to 30 per cent decrease; we are also reducing the number of halls this year by about the same percentage due to many changes in the market," said Chris Speller, Group Exhibitions Director for Cityscape.

Even as the positive market sentiment brings hopes of a good response, tightened budgets have lowered expectations for interior design show Index, which would see a 10-15 per cent reduction, said Lu Buchanan, Index Event Director. "The entire event this time would be different due to economic challenges. We want to ensure maximum returns for our participants and visitors. The numbers, however, would be lower this time as budgets have tightened. While we have sold out almost 90 per cent of the space, there would be a 10-15 per cent reduction in space and in participation. The event may be one hall smaller even as positive sentiment in the market may attract participants," she said.


Armed to meet challenges

With companies having grown cautious and budgets tightened due to the economic crisis, organisers said there are multiple challenges and they are making special efforts to meet the challenges. They said they are better prepared and have equipped themselves with innovative strategies to ensure maximum returns for the participants and the visitors.

"Given the general conditions of the financial crisis we find ourselves in, this year will be particularly tough for those in the media and marketing industries. Shrinking budgets and a demand for greater return on investments will be the driving force for executives across the board. It is in such an environment that the event will provide the ideal platform to explore the whole range of marketing solutions available in the field, new product innovations and knowledge capital that could help professionals develop strategies to survive and prosper during these turbulent times," said Abulhoul.

"This year we will continue working with our partners to provide even better opportunities for exhibitors and visitors. There will be excellent learning and skill enhancement workshops and a host of seminars and conferences to increase the dialog among various segments of these industries," she added.

Index has signed an agreement with Apid [the Association of Professional Interior Designers] making it the official partner for this year's show. The organisers of the event said it marks the first steps towards a combined goal of introducing the Dubai Festival of Interior Design, which would place the emirate at the forefront of the international interior design calendar.

Apid is hosting the 24th General Assembly of the IFI (International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers) and the World Interior Design Congress 2009. These biennial events are being held in Dubai for the first time, said Buchanan.

"This time we have made special efforts to understand the needs of buyers for which we have done an in-depth research by going back to them and understanding their needs. We asked them why they came for the show, what their requirements would be. This year we have also planned formal seminars and workshops on the floor level. The approach this time is different due to the economic changes," she said.

Spellar said: "In view of the economic changes, we have changed strategies, we are showing our exhibitors many other ways and taking new initiatives.

"This year, Cityscape will witness the introduction of a leaders' forum. Top executives from major government bodies from all over the world will review the impact of the economic crisis this year and talk about how they are looking at development.

"This is helping drive the exhibition as well. We are doing other investor round tables, and even close door meetings, talking directly to investors and developers about where they see the market."

The Big 5 will also bring together an impressive line-up of added value elements including a key buyers programme, product seminars, a conference programme and the Gaia Awards.


Confidence in Dubai intact

The rise in participation, in spite of the changes in economic environment, reflects confidence in Dubai and also indicates that the worst is over, said economists. The economy may also record an increase in contribution from this sector towards GDP.

Dr Hatem Samman, Director and Lead Economist of the Booz & Company's Ideation Center, said: "The market is showing signs of stabilisation. There are several indicators to that including drop in inflation, a relative easing in case of banking sector which is cautious but has started to grant loans. The worst seems to be over and as things have started to improve, we may see an increase in the share of sectors such as retail and hospitality towards the economy's GDP."


Workboats upbeat

Workboats, a maritime event for specialised vessels, is expecting a 60 per cent increase this year in exhibitors compared to last year.

"While the economic downturn has taken its toll on the global shipping industry, the Middle East market for workboats of all kinds continues to show vigorous growth," said Christopher Hayman, Chairman of Seatrade, organiser of the Middle East Workboats exhibition and conference that will take place from October 5-7 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Workboats include tugs, ferries, supply vessels; police, fire, patrol, pilot, rescue and oil spill boats; along with dredgers, barges and floating cranes



Showtime: October-December 2009

# Cityscape Exhibition & Conference

Oct 5 - 8

Venue : Dubai International

Convention and Exhibition Centre


# Who's Next & Premiere Classe

Oct 11 - 13

Venue : Dubai International

Convention and Exhibition Centre

# Gitex Computer Shopper & Home Electronics Show

Oct 17 - 24

Venue : Airport Expo Dubai

Location : East Hall, West Hall, Central Hall


# Gitex Technology Week

Oct 18 - 22

Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

# Leaders in Dubai Business Forum

Oct 26 - 27

Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre


# Paper Arabia

Oct 27 - 29

Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

Location : Hall 2

# Dubai International Character and Licensing Fair - DICLF 2009 & Dubai World Game Expo

Oct 27 - 29

Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre


# Private Label Middle East Exhibition

Oct 27 - 29

Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre


# Premium Exhibition

Oct 27 - 29

Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre


# Sweets Middle East

Nov 2 - 4

Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre


# Media & Marketing Show

Nov 3 - 5

Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre


# SITL Dubai

Nov 3 - 5

Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre


# Dubai International

Jewellery Week Exhibition

Nov 4 - 7

Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre


# Global Islamic Trade Forum

Nov 7 - 9

Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre


# Glassman 2009

Nov 8 - 9

Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre


# Dubai Congress on Anti-Aging & Aesthetic Medicine

Nov 8 - 9

Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre


# Index Exhibition

Nov 14 - 17

Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre


# Dubai Air Show

Nov 15 - 19

Venue : Airport Expo Dubai


# Big Five Exhibition

Nov 23 - 26 Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre


# Middle East Natural

Organic Products Expo

Dec 6 - 8

Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre


# Sportex & Gulf Stadia Middle East Exhibition

Dec 6 - 8

Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre


# Dubai Drink

Technology Expo

Dec 6 - 8

Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre


# Gulf Traffic Exhibition

Dec 6 - 8

Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre


# GSM Middle East

Dec 7 - 8

Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre


# 10th Middle East

International Motor Show

Dec 16 - 20

Venue : Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

*The list is not comprehensive. Source: www.dwtc.com