9th Sign & Graphic Imaging Middle East already a sell out

Sign & Graphics Imaging Middle East, the biggest and the only B2B international exhibition in the region, is already a sell out. With a total exhibition area of 13,000 sq m, exhibitors from around the world are vying each other for a foothold in an exhibition that boasts the presence of global players like Canon, VUTEk USA, Blaze, Hewlett Packard, Masonlite, Superwide Digital etc.

Scheduled from February 27- March 1, 2007 at Dubai World Trade Centre, the exhibition dedicated to signage, graphic imaging and screenprinting has gained a reputation as a Middle East launch pad for brands seeking a share of the booming Middle East market. As a bonus, the businesses are also able to tap the huge markets spread across the Indian subcontinent, CIS countries and Africa.

In order to increase their market presence and share, global industry leaders compete with each other to bring in latest and the most sophisticated innovations. Organised by International Expo Consults, the exhibition has become synonymous with the unveiling of new technologies, products and assembly lines.

As an industry benchmark, the exhibition brings together thousands of industry professionals from across the globe, to share products, designs and ideas. In addition to serving as a meeting point for leading international manufacturers, suppliers and the regional buyers, the show also attracts industry analysts, key decision makers and consultants, as it showcases not only the diversification in products and technologies but also the opportunities created by diversification of world’s fastest growing markets across the Middle East and the Asian subcontinent.

These facts are vindicated by Mohammed Al Noori, head of advertising, Dubai Municipality which has been supporting the show in a major way. “Sign & Graphic Imaging Middle East reflects everything of interest and importance in the regional signage and advertising industry. Therefore, not surprisingly, the event attracts global industry representatives, both as exhibitors and visitors. The presence of 300 international exhibitors and business visitors from more than 80 countries in the 2006 event go a long way to show the international stature of the event. Such participation also reflects the interest evinced by international business in Dubai and its stupendous growth.”

The business potential of the regional industry is phenomenal. The total advertising spend in the UAE is pegged at a whopping AED 3.31 billion. In 2005 advertisement spend in the UAE’s print media rose by 70.43 percent to reach Dh2.15 billon ($588 million), compared to Dh1.26 billion ($345 million) the previous year, according to Pan Arab Research Centre.

This is about 65 percent of the total advertisement spend of Dh3.31 billion ($904 million) recorded last year, which is about 42.58 percent higher compared to the previous year’s combined advertisement spend in the country.

In 2003, total advertisement spend in the UAE was $447 million. In comparison, advertisers in the United States last year spent $143.3 billion, up by 3 per cent compared to the previous year’s 139.2 percent, according to International Advertising Association (IAA). Besides newspapers, print magazines received $136 million or 15 per cent of the total advertisement spend closely followed by the electronic media and television reached $133 million last year, up by 8.13 percent from the previous year’s $123 million.

The exhibited or the signage media alone represents 8 percent of Middle East’s advertising spent, as $29 million flowed into outdoor advertising. Analysts project further accelerated growth as the region witnesses greater retail boom and increased competition. Projects like the Dubai metro and ambitious road and transport network expansion would further catalyse the growth.

Announcing the show, Abdul Rehman Falaknaz, president, International Expo Consults, said, “At present Middle East represents the most exciting region in the world both in terms of advertising possibilities and the industry innovations that are becoming a part of the fiercely competitive industry.”

He further added, “We as organisers are striving hard to offer our exhibitors the best possible chance to share the boom in the market. The 2007 event would act as a vertical showcase of the sector.” The fact that the region as a whole is in the throes of economic diversification with a myriad of activities targeted at leisure, tourism, sports events, entertainment etc, would go on to make the business prospects all the more alluring.