Driving the strong momentum of Dubai World Trade Centre’s (DWTC) global calendar of events, the exhibition season kicks off once again with specialist shows and events across a range of sectors. Over 40 exhibitions, trade shows and international conferences are set to take center stage at DWTC before the end of 2012, and this impressive and diverse portfolio highlights DWTC’s long-standing role in supporting Dubai’s position as the region’s leading business hub and events destination.
Supporting this growth, DWTC’s robust exhibition season commences today (September 24) with the opening of Middle East Pool & Spa - the leading exhibition for swimming pool and spa equipment in the region, Index and Inspire – the MENA region's biggest, longest-running and most innovative trade event for interior and exterior designers and architects. This will be followed by a variety of specialist shows running into October including GITEX Shopper, being held for the first time at DWTC, Light Middle East, Paper Arabia, Gift & Premium, Private Label Middle East, Cityscape Exhibition & Conference and Al Fares Dubai.
Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre said: “The events sector plays a crucial role in bringing business and investment opportunities to the region, further strengthening Dubai’s position as an international and regional business hub. We continue to bring major international exhibitions and conferences to the UAE, attracting top-tier exhibitors and visitors from over 150 countries around the world. After a strong performance in the first half of the year, we aim to further expand the diversity and depth of our events calendar while providing the ideal networking platform to grow international visitor volumes and increase our contribution to the emirate’s GDP.”
DWTC will welcome GITEX Shopper, the region’s largest consumer IT and electronics show featuring power retailers and world-class brands from September 29 –October 6. Being held at DWTC for the first time, this year’s GITEX Shopper will be an 8-day shopping extravaganza with interactive visitor attractions, customer promotions, instant rewards on purchases and competitions.
Following GITEX Shopper, GITEX Technology Week, one of the world’s top three ICT exhibitions will take place from October 14 - 18. The event will connect more than 138,000 industry professionals and over 3,500 suppliers from 144 countries across five continents. Also taking place from October 14 – 18 is InfoComm, where more than 80 companies from the hospitality, retail, architectural design and building, entertainment, broadcast and corporate IT sectors will be exhibiting their products and offerings.
Adding to its portfolio of high-profile international conferences, DWTC will host International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom World 2012, the leading platform for high-level networking, strategic debate and knowledge-sharing for the global ICT community. Taking place for the first time in Dubai alongside GITEX, ITU Telecom World 2012 is organised by ITU, the United Nations specialised agency for ICTs.
The 5th annual MENA Mining Congress, the Middle East and North Africa’s largest mining conference and exhibition will run from October 21 - 23, showcasing the latest exploration opportunities, regulatory advancements, equipment and technologies, and investor appetite for mining projects.
The World Energy Forum 2012 will conclude a busy October at DWTC as it takes place from October 22 – 24. Held outside of the United Nations Headquarters for the first time, Dubai was selected to host the event after fierce competition from other international venues and cities. The forum is expected to be attended by over two thousand delegates, including heads of state and leaders from member states of the United Nations, who will come together to discuss tangible progress towards cleaner, safer, and more sustainable energy as well as achieving universal access to modern energy services.
November will host more than 17 exhibitions such as The Big Five, the largest building and construction show in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA), which runs from November 5 - 8. For more than thirty years, The Big 5 has served as the gateway to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) construction market, providing both exhibitors and visitors with the opportunity to conduct business with like-minded professionals and access the most current information on all aspects of the construction industry. In 2011, The Big 5 attracted more than 49,000 participants, an increase of 6% on the previous year’s participation figures, a figure expected to be surpassed this year.
Technology will again be the centre of attention as the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) and World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) convene at DWTC from November 20 – 29 and December 3 – 14 respectively. The WTSA defines the next period of study for the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector. WCIT will review the current International Telecommunications Regulations which serve as the binding global treaty, outlining principles which govern the way international voice, data and video traffic is handled, and which lay the foundation for on-going innovation and market growth.
Another highlight of the season is the glitz and glamour of the Dubai International Jewellery Week, running from November 21 - 24. Now in its 17th year, Dubai International Jewellery Week reflects one of the world's most dynamic markets for luxury goods. The event delivers focused forums for traders, consumers and exhibitors from across the globe, with more than 400 exhibitors from over 20 countries expected to attend.
The combined 33rd SICOT & 17th PAOA Orthopaedic World Conference (Société Internationale de Chirurgie Orthopédique et de Traumatologie and Pan Arab Orthopaedic Association) is scheduled to take place from November 28 – 30 and will cover the latest advances in orthopaedic and trauma care.
In December, DWTC will host the 1st American Diabetes Association Middle East Congress from December 4 – 6. The program will focus on cutting-edge research and evidence-based strategies to prevent diabetes and improve outcomes in patients. This forum will also be an excellent opportunity for the exchange of ideas and experiences with practitioners across the Middle East.
From December 11-12, DWTC will organise and host the inaugural Entrepreneurial Ventures of Arabia (EVA) Summit and Exhibition.
The reminder of the year will see DWTC host a variety of regional and international exhibitions including Middle East Natural & Organic Products Expo, Media & Marketing Show, China Homelife Show, International Autumn Trade Fair and the three-day Indian Property Show, throughout December.
