Organisers of The Hotel Show 2008 featuring the Middle East's leading suppliers to the region's burgeoning hospitality sector, will be featuring a paperless press office and recycled media lounge, made out of discarded materials at next week's event, a Middle East first for the exhibition industry.
The environmentally-conscious show which is to be held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre from June 8 to 10, has also made sustainability the focus of its Seven Star Conference, with the 'green' theme threading throughout the three-day event. To underpin their convictions, organisers DMG World Media Dubai have commissioned a specialist design company to create a media office and a media lounge made out of 100 per cent recycled exhibition materials.
"We wanted to make an enduring statement about caring for the environment said Maggie Moore, Exhibition Director, of the show. "We managed to find a local company that could incorporate recycled wooden palettes, used carpets, metal drums and even bubble wrap into our décor."
Having worked in the events and exhibitions industry in the UAE, local designer Mohammed Farooq has designed conference tables from 44-gallon oil drums, computer tables from palettes and cardboard and constructed partitions from discarded exhibition stands.
"By actually utilising these materials in the media lounge and minimising paper usage via our digital press downloads in the press office, we are confident that media representatives attending the show will be compelled to write about our initiative, conveying our environmental message to the regional industry and beyond," said Moore.
Key sustainability issues apart from being addressed would be literally 'on show' at the Seven Star Conference.
The conference speakers' lounge will be furnished by Mohammed Farooq and topics under the spotlight will include: design for the 21st century – the sustainable building; the use of technology in hotels of the future and the role of technology in avoiding waste. Elsewhere on the programme, other subjects of topical concern will be examined such as the retention, motivation and development of staff and branding and marketing of food and beverage outlets. The conference has been extended to a third day following demand from industry professionals.
"We can all make a difference on company level and personally to reduce carbon footprint. We are issuing jute bags to visitors of the show," Moore said.
In 2007 the show attracted 10,086 trade visitors.
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