UAE’s audiovisual market to hit US$1.2bn by year end

Dubai / Emirates Business

Holograms, massive videoboards, and state-of-the-art audio and lighting displays will be among the audiovisual innovations set to make Expo 2020 in Dubai the world’s most technologically
advanced event.
The UAE is one of the fastest-growing professional audiovisual markets in one of the fastest-growing regions of the Middle East.
The UAE’s professional audiovisual market is set to reach US$1.2 billion in 2016, or 35 percent growth from 2014, while the Middle East’s professional audiovisual market is set to reach US$2.8 billion in 2016, or similarly strong 34 percent growth, according to a recent
report by industry group
InfoComm International.
Driving the region’s professional audiovisual take-up and exchanging global best practices, the 6th InfoComm Middle East and Africa, the region’s largest professional audiovisual event, opened on Tuesday for the first time as a standalone event, at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). InfoComm MEA runs under theme “Audiovisual Communications in a Hyperconnected World.”
“Mega-events like Expo 2020, sporting matches such as 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, and music festivals and concerts across the Middle East need to have the unique audio, lighting, and video production to provide a high-impact, fully-immersive visitor and fan experience,” said Nour Assafiri, CEO of Martin Professional Middle East, one of the world’s largest creators of lighting and video systems.
Beyond mega-events, audiovisual solutions will also be vital in two of the fastest-growing sectors in the UAE and Middle East – retail and hospitality. High-quality audio, digital signage, ultra-high definition 4K LED walls, digital wayfinding, and room control are the audiovisual solutions that are making major inroads, enhancing the shopping and guest experiences.
“Sound is one of the key elements that support a positive experience. Capturing audio is a crucial start of delivering great sound and our goal at InfoComm is to educate the market and introduce them to innovative solutions to do this,” said Chicco Hiranandani, Director of Sales and Marketing, Shure Middle East and Africa.
Sharing global best practices in retail and hospitality,
InfoComm MEA partners include the Association of Professional Interior Designers and Middle East Council of Shopping Centers.
InfoComm MEA is also hosting the first co-located Digital Signage Summit, organized by Invidis Consulting. The Summit is bringing a stronger focus on digital signage’s use cases across a wide range of industry verticals, from retail to hospitality and transportation.
On the back end of every venue, the management needs instant access to real-time dashboards for their audiovisual systems – with instant insights on crowd reaction, guest enjoyment, and the quality of audio and lighting systems.
InfoComm MEA 2016 is expected to host more than 3,000 visitors, and more than 120 manufacturers from over 20 countries, along with an engaging Summit conference
programme.
“InfoComm MEA has seen strong participation from exhibitors, and we expect another robust year of business deals and partnerships in professional audiovisual solutions.
As a standalone event, InfoComm MEA is bringing focused attention to specific solutions, deeper engagement between exhibitors and visitors, and exchanging knowledge with the top industry speakers,” said David Lim, Project Director, InfoCommAsia Pte Ltd, the organizers of InfoComm MEA. InfoComm MEA runs from December 6-8 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.