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Dubai’s strength and success attract big number of visitors

Leading German trade fair and conference organiser Epoc Messe Frankfurt attributes its successful 2013 exhibition season to Dubai’s continued growth and development.

A total of 88,685 trade visitors attended the exhibitions organised by Epoc Messe Frankfurt at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre in 2013. — Supplied photo

Driven by Dubai’s triumph in winning Expo 2020, the exhibition organiser is now looking ahead to further build on its success in 2014 and already has a significant expansion strategy underway.

A total of 88,685 trade visitors attended the group’s exhibitions at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre in 2013, which featured the participation of 4,464 exhibitors. When compared to last season’s figures of 76,282 total trade visitors and 3,721 exhibitors, the group’s exhibitions in 2013 attracted 12 per cent more trade visitors and 16 per cent more exhibitors.

“Our growth in recent years has absolutely been driven by Dubai’s successes and now with the announcement of Dubai Expo 2020, we are confident that we can continue to enjoy success, bolstered by the strength of Dubai’s vision. Furthermore, as economies of the region continue to post healthy growth rates, there is a continuously growing interest in regional markets by international manufacturers and suppliers looking to expand their presence here,” said Ahmed Pauwels, chief executive officer of Epoc Messe Frankfurt.

The region-wide footprint of the group’s exhibitions is underlined by the fact that approximately 40,795 of 2013’s trade visitors, or 42 per cent, came from outside the UAE. This large influx of trade visitors also makes a considerable impact on the local economy with their corresponding spends.

With their portfolio of exhibitions — Automechanika Dubai, Beautyworld Middle East, Hardware+Tools Middle East, Intersec, Light Middle East, Materials Handling Middle East, Paperworld Middle East and Playworld Middle East — the group is one of the leading international trade event organisers in the Middle East.

Intersec Dubai 2013, was the largest ever in its 15th edition. The premier business and networking event for security, safety and fire protection in the Middle East featured 990 exhibitors from 54 countries. Intersec 2013 was 7 per cent larger than the previous edition and welcomed 21,615 visitors from 118 countries, enjoying a 10 per cent growth in trade visitor numbers. The next edition will kick off the Epoc Messe Frankfurt exhibitions calendar for 2014 when it is held from January 19 to 21.

Also breaking records was Beautyworld Middle East, which in 2013 featured 1,096 exhibitors from 52 countries — a 32 per cent increase on the previous edition — with 25,000 trade visitors.

Automechanika Dubai 2013 reported another record breaking edition, welcoming more than 24,000 trade visitors from around 130 countries, a 16 per cent increase on 2012. 25 per cent larger in terms of net space occupied the rapidly-growing trade fairfeatured 1,482 exhibitors from 58 countries.

— abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com