The number of households across the world that use data networking solutions will grow from approximately 80 million at the end of 2005 to nearly 145 million by the close of 2010; according to market researchers Parks Associates. This huge increase in the home connectivity market is a trend that will be examined during two Parks Associates’ seminars at next month’s Messe Frankfurt Hometech exhibition scheduled to take place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 13th to 15th May.
Ms. Suman Manning-Lizotte Exhibition Manager Hometech Middle East speaking on behalf of organsiers Messe Frankfurt, is in no doubt that home automation and electronics networking that is set to be a major core of business for the CEA, which marks its first foray into the Middle East at Hometech.
“The statistic from Parks Associates underline the global trend in home connectivity; a technology that the CEA is heavily involved in and one which we are increasingly seeing throughout this part of the world,” he says. “Many new residential developments across the UAE are being configured with networking systems that allow interconnection between a range of plug-in modules, providing ease of use from a central control,” he adds.
Examples of recently completed developments in the UAE that are using new networking communications technology include The Waterfront at Dubai Marina. Each resident in this 20 storey apartment tower has an e-Home Terminal with a touch screen, that allows them to create an automated environment for lighting, temperature control, security and access. Similar systems are in place in the apartments at Old Town Burj Dubai and in the Burj Dubai Tower, which is currently under construction and already the tallest building in the Middle East and Europe.
“Advanced communications systems are being incorporated as standard in most new dwellings across the UAE, so it is inevitable that the region will witness a tremendous growth in networking components and lifestyle electrical appliances that have the facility to be plugged in and integrated as part of a single system,” says Ms Manning-Lizotte. “This market is one that will be addressed at the two dedicated seminars at Hometech,” he adds.
The first of the two Parks Associates seminars will be held on 14 May at 14:30 and is titled; ‘Home Systems – Controls Entertainment and Security’ and will be hosted by speakers including; Jay McLellan, President and CEO of Home Automation Inc; Sunil Gopal, CEO of ImagIne Technologies and Herman Cardenas, Chairman and founder of Netstreams. The second session; ‘Outfitting Digital Homes’ will be conducted on 15 May at 10:00 and among the panellists are; Nisreen Shocair, President, Virgin; Paul Yonghwan Kim, Chief Research Engineer, LG Electronics Inc. and Nigel MaKenzie, CTO, Pacific Controls – the company responsible for equipping Dubai Marina with its home networking system.
“Speakers with vast experience of household networking and communications systems will be deliberating at at Hometech,” says Ms Manning-Lizotte. “This is the future of lifestyle electronics and the participation of both Parks Associates and the CEA at the exhibition is a testament to the lead that Dubai is taking in this rapidly expanding field,” she adds.
Parks Associates has provided industry and consumer research for more than 20 years and focuses exclusively on product and service segments that are ‘digital,’ or provide connectivity within the home; including entertainment, home networking, home controls, wireless networking, broadband, and on-demand services.
The company works closely with the CEA; an organisation that represents approximately 1,200 companies across the United States and is the leading association for household technology providers.
Hometech runs from 13-15 May at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre and is the largest event of its kind in the Middle East for consumer technology, home automation and domestic electrical appliances. Over 250 companies will be exhibiting from 23 countries and it is anticipated that 5,000 visitors will attend over the three days.
About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 2,100 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, digital imaging, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $140 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry.
CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES – Defining Tomorrow’s Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.
Show Profile
The Largest International Trade Fair for Home technology, Hometech Middle East is the one and only trade fair for home entertainment, home automation, home appliances and domestic devices to source business in the Gulf States, the wider Middle East, North and East Africa, the CIS and the Indian Subcontinent. There is no other exhibition in the Middle East that delivers the quality and variety of buyers and distributors. Hometech Middle East is the largest gathering of home technology professionals in the Middle East.
Company profile:
The Messe Frankfurt Dubai team has over 20 years experience of organising international trade fairs throughout the world. The successful portfolio of events they organise in Dubai include Intersec, Materials Handling, Hardware + Tools, Garden + Landscaping Middle East, ISH – kitchen + bath, Light Middle East, Beautyworld Middle East, Wellness & Spas Middle East, Hometech Middle East, Design Lifestyle Middle East, Automechanika Middle East, Emirates Today Ideal Home Show and the Middle East Toy Fair. Messe Frankfurt is a subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt, the world’s second largest trade fair organiser conducting over 100 events worldwide with 15 subsidiaries across Europe, Asia, America, Africa and the Middle East.
