plans in place to make gitex technology week “most significant” of global it shows
The Evolution of a Dubai Industry Technology Event into a Mega-Show Continues
Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has expanded its development strategy for GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK to ensure the continued development of the region’s most important trade exhibition, integrating the lessons learned from other major events in the dynamic and fast-changing IT industry.
GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK, one of the world’s top three ICT events, has continued to develop and improve its international prominence over the last decade by drawing upon its in-depth knowledge and industry position to help bring together high level exhibitors and senior trade visitors.
In part, the continued success of the GITEX brand has been due to the ongoing support of major government and technology organisations across the region, as well as Dubai’s ideal positioning at heart of a rapidly-developing market of two billion people, including dynamic markets like India and the CIS states.
However, the event has also benefited from its capacity to track the changing demands of the global IT industry and proactively respond to exhibitors’ needs, according to organisers.
“This year’s GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK will see a number of major innovations, including the launch of three dedicated streams aimed at the most dynamic sectors of the global technology industry, as well as the introduction of strategic industry conferences,” said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre.
“Our aim is to continue to evolve the exhibition so that it can see sustained development over the next decade. Given the changes currently being seen in the global technology exhibition sector, we believe we will be able to position GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK as the most significant trade show for the IT industry in the world,” he added.
Since last year’s edition, DWTC has conducted a strategic study of the entire exhibition, surveying the requirements of long-term and potential exhibitors and trade visitors, and also benchmarking against other major international events.
The results of this study have been fed into the development plan for GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK, both for 2007 and for the longer term. A key recommendation from the research was ensuring that the show continued to increase the level of specialisation and “Sectorisation” within the show as it grows and develops.
In 2007, the event is hosting three major streams – GITEX Business Solutions, GULFCOMMS and Consumer Electronics – in response to exhibitor demand for dedicated areas to develop business within their specific sector.
This follows the success of the inaugural 2006 GULFCOMMS exhibition, the dedicated telecommunications exhibition which drew a high number of senior decision-makers and specialists.
As a unique addition to this year’s exhibition, GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK will be presenting the GITEX Priority Club, which provides visiting senior executives with fast track access, admission to an exclusive meeting lounge and invitations to special events, among other perks.
In addition, visitors will be wowed by the first-ever consumer electronics product fashion show - an innovative demonstration visitors will definitely not want to miss as the latest consumer technology trends are showcased on a lively fashion-inspired runway.
Also new this year is a series of industry conferences, GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK GLOBAL CONFERENCE - as part of the refreshed show concept - is designed to focus on some of the high profile challenges and opportunities currently experienced by the IT industry, particularly within the Middle East and North Africa.
These educational conference sessions are designed to encourage knowledge exchange as well as reflect the ongoing demand for a focus on IT issues that have particular relevance for the region, such as the need for an increased amount of IT security for businesses and growing interest in the possibility of hosting outsourced IT services within the GCC area.
“Our aim is for continued growth over the next decade, as well as continually increasing the level of specialisation and innovation. Exhibitors are always looking for a strong sense of focus within the business development side of trade shows and, as GITEX continues to mature, we are looking at a number of exciting new initiatives to keep GITEX as the most commercially and industry-focused of the major global trade shows,” added Al Marri.
GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK will run from 8-12 September 2007 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) and held in association with GITEX Shopper, which takes place from the 6-12 September 2007 at the Airport Expo Dubai.
