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Reed Exhibitions, organisers of the inaugural edition of Equip’Hotel Middle East (EHME), to be held 14-16 December 2008, have announced the launch of a Hosted Buyer Program (HBP) aimed at providing top-end buyers from the region’s hospitality industry, the chance to network and evaluate products and solutions from local and regional exhibitors at the show.
Supported by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and held in partnership with Abu Dhabi National Hotels and National Corporation for Tourism and Hotels, Equip’Hotel Middle East is the first regional edition of Equip’ Hotel Paris, the world-class show for the hotel, restaurant, cafe and catering industries. Equip’ Hotel Middle East will be held in Abu Dhabi at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
According to a market survey conducted by Reed in preparation for Equip’Hotel Middle East, over 200 hotels and more than 50,000 rooms are expected to be brought onto the market by 2010 in the GCC alone. In the UAE, 97 new hotels, with a combined capacity of more than 30,600 rooms, are likely to be added in the next two years. Figures released by the ADTA (Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority), show that the UAE capital is planning to increase hotel room capacity to 25,000 by 2015 and develop over 100 hotels in the next ten years.
“EHME will create a platform to support the rapidly expanding hospitality sector in the GCC region and the Hosted Buyer Program (HBP) at EHME is aimed at top procurement executives from around the region who will attend the show as hosted guests of Reed Exhibitions”, said Naji El Haddad, Deputy Show Manager, EHME.
“The 3,000 visitors expected at EHME will include buyers from international hotel groups, officials managing hotel apartments and tourist facilities, restaurant and catering operators, chefs, distributors, importers, wholesalers, educational institutions, government authorities, investors, promoters, developers, design and planning consultants, architects and interior decorators,” he added.
Reed plans to limit invitations to the HBP to persons directly involved in purchase decisions within the hospitality sector. In order to facilitate active participation under the HBP, Reed have put together a comprehensive range of benefits for HBP participants including: Free air travel to and from Abu Dhabi with five-star accommodation, coach transfers between the airport, hotel and the EHME venue, free admission to the event and all official networking events, the conference, entertainment programs and access to facilities at the HBP lounge at the show.
Hosted Buyers will have the opportunity to meet leading international and regional suppliers who will showcase their latest products, solutions and technologies covering the entire hospitality sector. An Investor & Visitor Relations Manager has been appointed to oversee the conduct of the HBP in a smooth and effective manner.
Exhibitors at the event will include companies from across the entire industry segment representing 14 sectors comprising Building Layout & Fitting products, Tableware, Laundry, Coffee Making & Bar equipment, Hotel & Restaurant concepts, Food & Beverage, Vending, Kitchen Equipment, Linen & Professional wear, Furniture & Design, Guest Amenities, Spas, Bathroom & Wellness and Sound & Lighting Technologies.
More than 150 exhibitors from over 15 countries will display a wide array of products, services, technologies and concepts used by the hospitality industry. Some of the confirmed exhibitors include Samsung, Alpha Data, Swede Dreams, Ariane Systems Group, Nakkash Gallery, Kings Stores Hospitality, Reem Asia Trading LLC, Procurio General Trading LLC, Teledex, Go In GMB, Neos Interactive and many more.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
