Doha Trade Fair 2011 proves to be 'the shopping event of the year'

Officials announced that the number of visitors and quality of this year’s edition of the Doha Trade Fair, under the theme “Shop the World”, surpassed the organizers’ and the exhibitors’ expectations alike. The ten-day exhibition, which took place at the Doha Exhibitions Center, recorded a huge number of visitors who came to check out the latest, most exclusive, authentic and cultural products on display.

The exhibition, which have attracted over 220,000 visitors, was organized by Qatar Tourism Authority in collaboration with q.media events, and was held under the patronage of H.E Sheikh Khalifa Bin Jassim Bin Mohammed Al-Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

“The Doha Trade Fair was a great shopping experience to customers, who have expressed their satisfaction of what was showcased during the fair. Our main aim for this year was to enhance and upscale the exhibition, and I believe we have succeeded in doing so.   Visitors appreciated the lively entertainment, the organizing of the stands, the overall atmosphere.  As organizers we worked hard to bring the best quality products to this exhibition, to ensure consumer-protection and to assure customers that they are buying authentic and high-quality products that can’t be found everywhere,” said Mr. Dany Hachem, Group Events Advisor at q.media.

“This fair has attracted a big audience locally and regionally, it has been an interest to shopping-lovers, souvenirs-collectors and most importantly to families, who have enjoyed the newly-added ‘Fun Zone’, which hosted the biggest MONOPLOY board in the world; entering Guinness World Records,” he added.

Over 530 world-renowned exhibitors from 31 countries, came to showcase and sell a wide array of unique, exclusive and traditional products, ranging from silverware, hand-crafts, furniture, crystals to abayas and clothing.

Mary Odhiambo, of ‘Hut of Africa’ shop, which sells African cultural and traditional products, praised this year’s exhibition, saying: “This is my 6^th year to participate in the fair and I have to say this year’s exhibition is really special, the sales are very good and customers are showing interest in our products, which I believe are unique. The organizers have done a great job in hosting the exhibition, and in general I am very happy with the outcome.”

The exhibition has more than fulfilled the expectations and ambitions of the exhibitors, hence they were more than satisfied with how it was managed, decorated and organized, as in the case of Andrea Cornesecchi of ‘S.Clairy’, an Italian shop selling silverware, who is participating for the second year.  “I came all the way from Italy specifically to participate in the exhibition and to be honest, I am quite impressed with the organization, decoration, security measures and how the whole exhibition was pulled together.

“What really caught my attention is the advertisement campaign, it is so huge, artistic and attention-calling that it can’t be missed at all. I think this really helps in promoting the exhibition and attracting people, while assuring exhibitors that the exhibition is well-advertised everywhere. The overall sales have been great and I am pretty much satisfied with the experience, I have made loyal customers here that I wish the trade would become a bi-annual one,” he said.

Agents of the exhibitors also expressed satisfaction with the exhibition when asked about their experience.   Many offered positive feedback and have already confirmed their participation and commitment to next year’s edition.

“The exhibition was a great success, well-organized and kept-clean at all times. The management has done a great job in implementing new ideas to it, as a regular participant in this exhibition, I am impressed by the way the exhibition is organized this year, and by the security measures the management have taken. I am really touched to see how they took the highest security measures to ensure that all the kids are safe, and in case a kid was lost, he/she would easily be found,” said Lan Hui, the agent of the Asian and Chinese exhibitors.

“Moreover, I think the newly-added fun zone, was a brilliant idea and have succeeded in attracting a lot of families and entertaining kids, in addition to the eye-capturing opening ceremony, which kept the exhibition alive.

“I think the exhibition followed high-standards and brought-quality products to customers. We as agents and exhibitors have made a lot of profit by selling our goods, this comforting to us especially that the prices have gone up, everywhere in the region,” she added.

These views were also echoed also by Aboo Saleh Kasabi, the agent of the Indian and Pakistani exhibitors. “The exhibition was a massive success, it showcased new products and brands from different countries that we have not seen in the previous exhibitions. I have been participating in exhibitions here for 20 years, and honestly this is by far one of the best,” he said.

Announcing the winner of the MONOPOLY game competition

On the sidelines of selling, buying and the trading side of the exhibition, visitors enjoyed the thrilling ‘Fun Zone’ area, which was created specifically to entertain families and kids. Around eight players competed against each other on a MONOPOLY game, on the final day of the exhibition.

Mohammed Raoufuddin Rizwan, a Doha resident was announced the final winner of the competition and won a brand new Volkswagen car,  presented by Khaled Zebib, Marketing Manager at Saad Buzwair Automotive .

“It was such a thrilling and exciting experience. I love this game and I am really proud that I was able to play on the board of the biggest MONOPOLY in the world, and I am more than excited that I have won this car,” he said.

Sponsors of the event were - Premier Sponsor - QIB Bank, Diamond Sponsors - VW and SBA automotive, Gold Sponsors - Airlink and Ansar Group, Silver Sponsor - Diplomatic Club and Support Sponsor - Seqlia.