Gulf Print 2007, the region’s biggest trade show for publishing, printing and graphics, looks set to be the most successful in the series to date.
The event, which will take place at the Dubai Airport Expo from April 2 to 5, acts as a platform for the print and publishing industry throughout the Middle East.
The trade show already has a strong reputation in the region, and offers all industry players, from decision makers and buyers, to publishers, print houses and graphics studios, the opportunity to network and conduct business in an environment that presents the latest developments in the fast-moving world of print and labels.
Visitors can also attend workshops, conferences and seminars that provide all the information and innovations businesses require to stay ahead of the increasingly competitive Middle East market, which studies show will be worth a staggering $1.7 trillion by 2008.
As a result, Gulf Print 2007 has already exceeded the total square metres sold in 2005, and the present figures indicate that organisers will sell double the space for 2007 – showing a 100 percent growth rate on last year’s show.
Approximately 150 exhibitors are expected in total for Gulf Print 2007, and more than 70 percent of the available space has already been snapped up by international and regional industry players.
Space is now limited, organisers stress, even though the exhibition is located at the Dubai Airport Expo, which occupies over 30,000m2, Gulf Print is heading for a sell out. An estimated 8,000 trade buyers from the broader Middle East, Asia and Africa are expected to attend.
Lina Alousta, Sales Director for Gulf Print, says much of the success in 2007 can be attributed to Gulf Print 2005 and the region’s blossoming print industry.
She explains “according to the UAE Printer’s Association, category growth has been estimated at a massive 20 percent, which means the international print machinery, graphics and technology industry is experiencing many new business opportunities.
“Many exhibitors have reported brisk business as a result of taking part in Gulf Print 2005, and evidence can be seen in the many repeat exhibitors such as Xerox, the UPEX Village and HP, who are all returning in force with bigger and better stands.”
The success of the show has attracted major international names as first time exhibitors such as Agfa, Kodak, Daetwyler from Switzerland, Metal FX Technology Ltd, Gamma Pack, Q.I Press Controls, OKI Printing Solutions, SIHL, Oman Inks, Al Melehy Graphics and many more.
Return exhibitors include Heidelberg, HP, Layout ME, Morgana Systems Ltd, Technochem, Giffin Graphics and Dynagraph LLC.
