Salam Studios & Stores, and Grapheast, today (Thursday, 16 March 2006), announced the opening of its day-long trade show and seminar titled Professional Digital Solutions (PDS), focusing on the growing discipline of professional digital photography, at the Shangri-La in Dubai. A press conference was also convened at the venue to provide a detailed overview of the event, which marks the convergence of two leading players in the photography and imaging solutions business.
The seminar and trade show are designed to address the ever-increasing demand for sophisticated and integrated imaging solutions for professionals, both in the photo and graphic segment, amateurs, students as well as photography enthusiasts, and at the same time put on display a veritable collection of premium imaging solutions.
Commenting on the event, Bassam Abdul Salam Abu Issa, Executive Director, Salam Group, reinforced Salam’s commitment to the growth of imaging and said, “Salam has been in the photo space over the last 54 years and are still evolving when it comes to digital. It is our commitment to the market, to business partners and above all our valued customers that drive us to be a value added provider of Professional Digital Solutions”.
“The seminar and trade show follows a series of events and activities organized by Salam for the advancement of the discipline of photography in the region. This event is primarily aimed at giving professional and aspiring photographers a forum that would not only help widen their knowledge horizons in relation to digital photography, but also lend them a creative edge that will enhance productivity to our customers,” added Bassam.
John Boutros, General Manager of Grapheast, said, “Very few technological innovations in the recent past have seen greater acceptance by consumers around the world, than digital photography, which makes this seminar all the more significant. The digital revolution sweeping the photography world is having a telling impact on the Arab world as well. It is important, therefore, that photography enthusiasts here comprehensively grasp the features, functions and technicalities of digital photography to take full advantage of the possibilities it offers.”
The workshops are to be conducted by professionals from Adobe, Apple Inc and Lexar, and would cover a broad range of aspects concerning digital photography, including image management, capture and process, image manipulation and output. Adobe will be demonstrating the features of the newly launched Photoshop CS2, while Apple will be presenting a detailed walk through for Apple’s Aperture and Lexar will present Active Memory and Lock Tight technology (Lt).
Local distributors and Salam business partners representing major brands will display and demonstrate products and solutions of the imaging market at the trade show . Some of them include Arab Business Machines (APPLE), National Stores (CANON), Almoe (EPSON), Leica (GERMANY), Phase One, Manfrotto (ITALY), Lowepro (US), Omnix (INFOCUS, Lexar, Emirates Photo Marketing (KODAK), Bowens International (UK), Pentax (EUROPE) and Al Soura Magazine, who is the official media partner for the event.
Arab Business Machines will be exhibiting Apple's new photography software 'Aperture' along with Mac OS X Tiger and hardware such as PowerMacG6 and iPod. Manfrotto (from Germany) will be targeting the first time photographers with the launch of MODO series of tripods in the Middle East. Almoe is showcasing EPSON’s new K3 UltraChrome Ink technology and Sony’s new SnapLab, the state-of-art digital photo printer and the world's smallest and the lightest standalone professional photo-finishing solution. Lowepro is exhibiting a whole range of products including PixelPak memory card cases, CompuDayPack camera – laptop combination backpacks, Rolling CompuTrekker, a trolley cum backpack camera and laptop bag and Rezo digital camera pouches among others. In addition, Bowens will present their Esprit Gemini travel pak kit making studio lighting possible at location and Lexar will be exhibiting their complete range of flash memory products at the event.
The highlight of the event will be the break-out workshops and product demos by professionals aimed to educate key target audience such as professional photographers, studios and media production companies, advertising agencies, event managers, and the educational and government sector.
Hasan Sultan, Group Business Development Manager, Salam Studios & Stores, said, “The event is an ideal platform for professional photographers, imaging professionals, photo enthusiasts and students to come face to face with new and innovative solutions from leading brands in the industry and at the same time become aware of trends, expertise and techniques that will enhance their profession and provide efficiency for greater productivity and profitability. With PDS, Salam provides the product of choice totally brand independent and one stop solution for the customer.”
Professional Digital Solutions is sponsored by Adobe, Apple, Grapheast, Canon and Al Soura Magazine and will become an annual event targeted at amateur and professional photographers and photography enthusiasts.
About Salam Studios & Stores
In 1952 the founder Mr. Abdul Salam Abu Issa established his first studio in Doha, Qatar. The source of the merchandise started through extensive travelling all over the world, when such practices were extremely rare. This studio grew into a specialized business unit providing a comprehensive range of products & solutions, which has expanded over the years into the UAE and Oman covering both retail and distribution. Salam has also expanded its distribution business into Kuwait and Jordan
