Big convention centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are getting ready for the arrival of hundreds of thousands of visitors as conference season gets under way.
The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) expects 275,000 visitors to walk through its doors in the coming month to attend events such as Cityscape Global and the Gitex technology show. Meanwhile in the capital, the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre will host shows that include the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition and the Eid Al Adha Exhibition 2014.
DWTC said it would host 12 trade and consumer shows and conferences in September alone, together with six live entertainment events.
Improving business confidence across several sectors is expected to generate bumper returns for event organisers as Dubai and Abu Dhabi draw on their improved air connectivity to attract big-name global conventions.
Yas Island expects to grow delegate numbers by as much as 30 per cent annually as it starts to put together island-wide bids to attract the very largest of global gatherings. The Tourism and Culture Authority expects the business travel sector to contribute US$1.39 billion to the emirate by 2020. It generated $653 million in 2010.
“We’re entering the peak season for anchor exhibitions that set the tone and define their respective industries,” said Ahmed Al Khaja, a senior vice president for venues at DWTC. “These events provide a platform to showcase the newest trends and products in each industry, and give visitors and exhibitors the chance to network with potential partners, and uncover opportunities to drive their own business in the wider Menasa market.”
The consumer electronics show Gitex Shopper is set to be the biggest crowd-puller of the month, with more than 210,000 visitors likely to come through its doors, in line with last year’s attendance figures.
The region’s largest consumer IT and electronics show, Gitex Shopper will take place from September 27 to October 4. More than 100 consumer IT and electronics brands will be represented, with more than 35,000 products on show.
This year’s Cityscape Global Exhibition and Conference, to be held September 21-23, is forecast to be the largest event of its kind for five years, thanks to increasing investor confidence in Dubai’s real estate sector.
The show’s organisers have added two exhibition halls, with more than 30,000 square meters of total exhibition space. Last year’s Cityscape Global event was attended by more than 28,000 people.
The DWTC will also host The Hotel Show, which last year attracted more than 16,000 visitors, and its sister exhibition The Leisure Show, to be held September 28-30. Other conferences and exhibitions to be held during the month include the International Congress of Radiology, and the first Middle East Molecular Biology Congress and Exhibition.
The venue’s entertainment programme for September starts this Friday with the boxing event Pinoy Pride 27, in its first incarnation to be held outside the Philippines. Other entertainment events for the month include Comedy Nights with Kapil Sharma, Disney on Ice – Rockin’ Ever After, and the French singer Patrick Bruel.
jeverington@thenational.ae
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