Dubai hospitality and design events, INDEX Design Series, The Hotel Show and Middle East Stone will expand internationally in 2017.
Organisers, DMG Events, have launched new shows in South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Andy Stuart, vice president of DMG Events’ Design and Hospitality Division, commented: “2017 promises to be an incredibly exciting year for our entire event portfolio. Dubai – our base and the home of our ‘mothership’ shows, which themselves will grow significantly next year – is a place synonymous with innovation, creativity and building cities of the future. It makes us proud to say that our events are part of its story.
“Our ambitious international expansion plans mark the latest chapter in that story. Moving new shows into South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the Philippines and Indonesia allows us to provide direct gateways from Dubai to lucrative global markets, creating excellent opportunities for UAE businesses seeking to explore new territories and further strengthening our much-loved brands.”
The global expansion reflects the growth of Dubai’s hospitality and design industries, and offers a gateway to UAE-based suppliers in these industries aiming to expand internationally.
INDEX, which this year celebrated its 26th edition, will launch in Qatar and Indonesia, while 17-year-old The Hotel Show will expand into South Africa and the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Middle East Stone will establish itself as Stone and Surface Saudi Arabia.
Tony Crinion, portfolio director of the DMG Events Design Portfolio, said: “The inaugural INDEX North Africa concluded in Morocco to great success earlier this month. INDEX Indonesia and INDEX Qatar will open in October and November respectively.
“These are markets which we identified as having thriving design industries with excellent emerging designers and brands, making them both hugely attractive propositions to our brand and our trusted, entrepreneurial exhibitors.”
The Hotel Show Dubai, co-located with The Leisure Show Dubai, have both been rebranded as they head into their 18th year.
Ray Tinston, Portfolio Director of the DMG Events Hospitality Portfolio said: “As we move further into the international arena, we have used this as an opportunity to revitalise our brand in consultation with the industry we serve.”
Taking place in September 2017, the two hospitality events will become part of the newly announced Dubai International Hospitality Week, a venture with the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The 5th edition of The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia will open in April 2017, followed by launch events for The Hotel Show South Africa in June and The Hotel Show Philippines in August.
Tinston added: “With each experiencing a tourist boom, these are now some of the world’s most active markets for hotel construction.”
Next year will see already established The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia co-locating with launch event, Stone & Surface Saudi Arabia.
Event Director Yan Wang said: “We are providing a vital platform for international stone suppliers to meet the contractors working on UAE mega-projects from theme parks, to entire man-made islands.
“Saudi Arabia is currently going through a time of transformation in the wake of its National Vision 2030. With the surge in construction of hotels, restaurants, new infrastructure, and much more – there is a vital need for the necessary materials for design and construction, particularly stone.”
The DMG Events team made the announcement at an exclusive event in the duplex Aspen Ski Chalet in Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates on 13 December.
