DSF Office announces 16 sponsors for Dubai Summer Surprises 2008
AED 85 million budget allocated for the eleventh edition of DSS
Emaar Malls Group and WAFI join the growing rank of private sector entities sponsoring region’s biggest summer event
The Dubai Shopping Festival Office has announced 16 key sponsors for the upcoming Dubai Summer Surprises 2008, the Middle East’s largest summer and shopping entertainment event. The sponsors consist of leading local and regional business houses some of whom have partnered with the summer event since its inception in 1998. DSS 2008 will go on for 65 days, from June 19 till August 22 under the slogan ‘Catch a smile this summer’.
The sponsors for DSS 2008 are Al Futtaim Group – Dubai Festival City, Al Ghurair City, BurJuman, Emaar Malls Group LLC, Dubai Duty Free, WAFI, Dubai Refreshments Company – Mirinda, Dubai Shopping Malls Group, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group, Emarat, Emirates Airline, Etisalat, Ibn Battuta Mall, MAF Shopping Malls, and MasterCard Worldwide.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, thanked the sponsors for their unstinted support since the inception of DSS and praised the continuing cooperation between the public and the private sector that has played a significant role in the event’s success.
“Dubai Summer Surprises is an event that has maintained its unchallenged status as the leading summer event in the region in addition to effectively contributing in exporting the image of Dubai as among the favoured summer destinations in the world. One of the main pillars of the DSS achievement has always been and continues to be the concrete and distinct cooperation between the private and the government sectors,” began His Highness.
“We are at the threshold of the eleventh edition of DSS this year. We have crossed many milestones over the past decade and yet we have only begun. Our ambitions are unlimited, our vision is clear, and our determination is relentless. The future of Dubai is very promising, with endless possibilities of growth in all areas. This growth has instigated us to elevate the quality of our events to match the bar of excellence set by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai,” added His Highness.
“DSS 2008 will witness a major shift in its composition. Nevertheless, it will continue to bring the joy, the smiles, and the festive spirit to the city of Dubai and its visitors from all over the world. As we speak, Dubai’s prosperous economic sectors are each preparing to embrace the colourful event and provide the best services in the region for visitors and residents,” His Highness said.
“With the support of our sixteen sponsors, we are yet again assured of a memorable DSS edition,” His Highness concluded.
DSS 2008 - In continuous pursuit of excellence
Laila Suhail, Chief Executive Officer of DSF Office said, “This is our first DSS edition as an official government body after the decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid in September 2007 establishing the office of the Dubai Shopping Festival, which will be a financially and administratively independent public sector organisation. We also recently revealed the new DSF Office identity and logo during Arabian Travel Market 2008. Hence, this DSS edition will see improvements in numerous levels.”
Laila stated that the DSF Office team has doubled its efforts in order to undertake the responsibility and the trust bestowed upon the Office by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. “We have to rise to the challenge,” she added. “Dubai government departments have acquired a reputation for outstanding performance and that in turn inspires us to match their achievements.”
“With the new inclusions and changes in planning for this year’s DSS, we expect the number of visitors to rise between 8 and 10 per cent and consumer expenditure to increase between 20 and 25 per cent compared to last year’s edition,” said Laila.
The DSS 2008 sponsors come from varied economic sectors proving the ability of the summer extravaganza to reach out to diversified target audiences.
Emaar Malls Group
Jim Badour, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Malls Group, said, “Dubai Summer Surprises is a pioneering shopping and entertainment event that has revolutionized the city’s retail sector’s growth by ensuring strong business even during the summer months. The vision of DSS to offer both retailing and entertainment, particularly, in mall environments complements the operational philosophy of Emaar Malls Group, which is currently developing The Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destinations, and the Dubai Marina Mall. By integrating shopping and entertainment, the two drivers of retail today, DSS has outlined a model of growth for malls in the region. The sponsorship of DSS by Emaar Malls Group will help us position our malls as the latest value additions to Dubai’s retail sector.”
Dubai Shopping Malls Group
Eisa Adam, President of the Dubai Shopping Malls Group (DSMG), emphasized the role of the organization during DSS and the mutual cooperation between the DSF Office and DSMG. “As an umbrella organization for some of the finest malls in the world, the Dubai Shopping Malls Group is proud to partner once again with DSS – the region’s biggest summer event. Dubai’s malls are home to leading international brands and during DSS 2008, DSMG aims to take its retail initiative to a higher level by combining incredible shopping promotions and unbelievable prizes. Over 65 days this year, the DSMG will showcase its biggest ever mall participation in a DSS edition yet,” he said.
WAFI
“Dubai Summer Surprises is a world-class event that transforms the emirate into a destination for summer vacations in the Middle East. The numerous innovative activities help to transform Dubai into a favourite location for shopping in the region and an opportunity for GCC visitors to enjoy and experience the charm of Dubai,” said Victoria Smith, Group Marketing Director for Wafi.
“The increasing numbers of visitors is a clear indication that this innovative strategy has become a key attraction to the city and has contributed to making Dubai a leading summer tourist destination,” she added.
Emirates Airline
Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Gulf, Middle East and Iran, said, “DSS is growing in popularity as it offers a mix of entertainment, learning for the children and great shopping at bargain prices. “Emirates’ packages are very affordable and we invite our customers to be part of the fun and entertainment by availing these great deals. We have been sponsoring the event since its inception in 1998 as part of our commitment to promote Dubai as a tourist destination.”
Dubai Duty Free
Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free said, “We are pleased to support the Dubai Summer Surprises for the fifth year. This summertime event has been a driving force in attracting tourists and we look forward to working with the organizers in enhancing our sponsorship during what is a very busy travel period at Dubai International Airport.”
MasterCard Worldwide
“MasterCard Worldwide is delighted to be a key sponsor of the Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) for the ninth year running. To build on the success of DSS 2007, our support of this event again for 2008 gives MasterCard the opportunity to offer our cardholders even more benefits while they enjoy everything this summer festival has to offer. We are working closely with other DSS sponsors to offer exciting benefits to visitors and shoppers during this key travel season and look forward to announcing these benefits in the near future. Providing our cardholders with exclusive opportunities is one of the many ways we offer them value added benefits when they use their MasterCard card,” said Denzil Lawson, General Manager, Middle East and Levant, MasterCard Worldwide.
