Building on its record performance in 2007 and the surging demand in the events and exhibition sectors, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the venue operator and organiser in the wider region, is looking to showcase more global trade shows in Dubai in 2008.

“Coming off our busiest year in 2007, DWTC is ideally positioned for another signature year, capitalising on the sustained growth in the events and exhibitions sector,” said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, DWTC.

“2008 will see the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) and the Airport Expo host an even higher number of leading trade events and international conferences, boosting business tourism for Dubai, as we are becoming increasingly recognised by our international stakeholders as the networking hub that provides the widest outreach to clients and partners across the region,” he added.

Preliminary trends indicate encouraging growth prospects across DWTC businesses in 2008, with demand for the DICEC and Airport Expo venue space forecasted to increase to 111 events this year, up from 106 in 2007 across exhibitions and conferences. With over 22 percent growth in registered venue space across shows so far at DICEC, 2008 is likely to see a significant double-digit increase in average size of exhibitions.

The bookings confirmed for this year, in January alone, are estimated to drive up visitor volumes at the DICEC, surpassing last year’s record one million mark. The high-growth meetings sector has also seen a 50 percent surge over 2007, with over 450 meetings on the books so far, and is expected to attract over 60,000 delegates to the venues this year.

Aligned with His Highness, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s strategic agenda for sector-specific development, the majority of new shows featured in DWTC’s 2008 calendar are from high-priority industries such as travel and tourism, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, advertising and media.

The inaugural Tourism Development Projects & Investment Market (TDIM) in January generated such an unanticipated level of demand that the organisers needed to double their initial space requirement. February has already seen the first-ever Dubai Industrial Investment and Partnership Forum (DIIPF), designed to strengthen UAE’s competitiveness in the manufacturing sector.

April 2008 will showcase the Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Middle East (PABME) conference and exhibition that will provide an exclusive convergence platform for global leaders in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, bringing unrivalled business opportunities in healthcare to Dubai.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Dubai Department of Civil Aviation, the Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME), a B2B trade exhibition to service the region's rapidly developing commercial and business aviation fleets, will held at DWTC’s Airport Expo in June. Also included in the line-up of shows that will make their debut in 2008 is the Dubai International Character and Licensing Fair that will focus on the use of cartoons in media, advertising, tourism marketing and international licensing.

DWTC’s Events Division will also continue to forge ahead in its agenda to develop a fully-comprehensive events calendar for Dubai, with the planned launch of two new exhibitions this year and forecast strong growth across their current portfolio of trade and consumer shows. June 2008 will see the launch of two specialist trade shows in fast-growing sectors like financial technology and food production, with MEFX to support the banking and financial services sectors, and Ingredients Middle East for raw materials in food production.

With a vision ‘to make Dubai the world’s leading destination for all major events, exhibitions and conferences and exhibitions,’ DWTC will continue to contribute to the Vision for Dubai 2015, by developing the business tourism industry and driving a parallel positive impact on the several interlinked sectors that will benefit from the high volume of visitors and exhibitors attracted to major exhibitions.

In addition, DWTC’s two mega integrated commercial destination projects at Dubai Trade Centre District (DTCD) and Dubai Exhibition City (DEC) will make significant progress during 2008, further cementing Dubai’s position as the leading international networking hub for the region.