Punching power into UAE’s trade shows

Sunaina Rana / EMIRATES BUSINESS

International Expo-Consults LLC (IEC), a leading international trade show organiser in the Middle East is based in Dubai, the heart of United Arab Emirates(UAE). For over a decade, IEC has played a key role in delivering the power of business shows in stimulating regional and international trade through the UAE. The professional expertise of IEC has guaranteed the success of events such as ‘Sign and Graphic Imaging’ (SGI) and ‘Dubai Entertainment Amusement & Leisure Show’ (DEAL).
IEC is part of Falak Holding, a leading Middle East corporate group with international aspirations. Worth over US$5 billion, Falak Holding is a major stakeholder and investor in the Sports City in Dubai, the most ambitious sports project till date in the entire world.
Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, chairman of IEC, stated that the country’s multi-billion dollar retail sector will drive the sign and graphic industry to higher levels by 2020. Falaknaz said that textile printing industry in the country is set to gather momentum as UAE stands as the world’s fourth largest trading centre of textiles, generating an approximate US$17.5 billion annually.
He added, “Entertainment and leisure projects, within the UAE and across GCC, have boosted the confidence of the amusement and leisure industry manifold. UAE is experiencing this exponential growth because of its quality infrastructure and growing tourism and retail industry sectors. Another key factor is that Dubai is also becoming the MICE ( Meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions) capital of the world due to the year-long calendar of trade events. This also brings in considerable amount of footfall as families merge business with leisure activities and that further propels the theme park industry.”

Sign and Graphic Imaging Middle East
The SGI Dubai 2017, is the largest and prominent trade event for digital and conventional signage industry, would be held on January 15-17, 2017, which will showcase the products and services of various traders across the Middle East.
Falaknaz said, “Being the largest exhibition of its kind in the Middle East, SGI Dubai has exhibitors and visitors from across the world, who mutually stand to benefit from each other’s presence. This mega event is a one-stop-shop where exhibitors and visitors can interact with sign makers, print and production manufacturers, architects, media agencies, real-estate developers, brand and image consultants.”
“Our voyage through time has been memorable due to the encouraging support that we have received from our global and local exhibitors. Exhibitors at the event will be showcasing some of their best-kept printing secrets,” he added.
Visitors can consult and interact with architects, sign makers, product manufacturers, media agencies, real estate developers, and brand and image consultants among others. SGI Dubai is a 19-year-old established and proven business forum, which has generated billions of dollars of sales for exhibitors serving the signage (digital and conventional), printing and outdoor advertising industries.
IEC, stated that one of the reasons for global exhibitors setting their sights on this region is due to the forecasted 7.2 percent revenue growth in the printing industry per annum. SGI Dubai 2016 unveiled printers and equipment worth AED220 million during the 19th edition of the show.

Dubai Entertainment Amusement & Leisure Show
The 22nd edition of Dubai Entertainment Amusement and Leisure (DEAL) 2016 show, the largest amusement and entertainment exhibition in the Middle East and Africa, will exhibit and unveil the top and latest equipment and services in the global amusement and entertainment scene.
The event is the most anticipated happening of the year in the region for exhibitors and visitors in the amusement and leisure industries. It is the focal point for all the stakeholders in the amusement and related industries looking for an impact entry or better growth in the region with 300 exhibitors, 5000 visitors across the globe. “The exhibitor profiles at DEAL are quite impressive and will include amusement rides, consultants, entertainment companies, high-tech equipment and effects, food and beverage, hotels and resorts, event production, among others,” said Falaknaz.
DEAL is set to break its own records in its 2016 edition. The show, which is the most important amusement industry exhibition outside the United States, introduces the latest innovations in the global amusement and entertainment sector while assembling the world’s most prominent leisure industry stakeholders.
DEAL 2015 exhibition saw contract signings worth over AED1.2 billion, which is a 50 percent increase compared to DEAL 2013.
Falaknaz added, “The DEAL show is a global platform to showcase one’s brand and also aims to attract more investors, real estate developers, franchisees, among other local and international stakeholders to the event. The exhibitors within this new pavilion can explore other global markets to enter or look for expansion opportunities in the GCC markets through brand franchising, licensing and joint ventures. Through this event, participants can acquire new distribution and retail channels so that they can increase their customer base and thereby grow their business.”