Building on its record-breaking 2014, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) kicks off what is set to be one of the busiest years for the MICE industry, with the announcement its 2015 calendar today.
Starting with an eventful January, the line-up of industry-leading events spans a variety of sectors that are critical to the development of the region's economy including healthcare and security.
Ahmed Alkhaja, Senior Vice President — Venues, DWTC commented:
"After closing 2014 on an all-time high, we are excited to be starting 2015 with a series of impactful events; and January is expected to draw in more than 130,000 trade visitors from six continents. With Dubai placed as the regional hub for companies and industries to explore trade and business opportunities, we are proud to be an important facilitator that links these continents.”
The second half of January will be dominated by some of the most crucial healthcare events to take place in 2015, of which the mega-event Arab Health is the most highly-anticipated.
The largest healthcare event in the region and the second-largest in the world, Arab Health service's the multi-billion dollar healthcare sector, and is a must-attend for global medical professionals. This year's iteration will see an expected 93,500 visitors from more than 150 countries walk through DWTC's doors. Arab Health will run from Jan.26-29.
Dave Panther, Director, Arab Health & Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions commented: "Globally, Dubai is seen as a business gateway to the Middle East and this is no exception for our exhibitors. Exhibitors and visitors alike are seeking to benefit from Dubai's momentum to further their business interests in the region and each year Arab Health becomes an even more international event, attracting healthcare trade and medical professionals both locally and internationally. In 2014, more than 87,454 visitors came from 150 countries, proving that the international reach of Arab Health is extending.”
Further catering the needs of healthcare professionals will be the 23rd Congress of the International Academy of Legal Medicine, the first international congress of the year. Held once every two years, the event is the leading global congress for forensic specialists and is being hosted in conjunction with Dubai Police. The congress will welcome more than 1,000 delegates from around the world from Jan.19-21.
Kicking off the year will be the region's largest event for the plastic, petrochemical, and rubber industries, Arabplast.
A combination of four trade shows, Arabplast is a biannual event expected to draw more than 25,000 visitors from more than 40 countries.
With the Middle East serving as the world's fastest growing market for plastics, Arabplast is an essential component of the growth and development for this sector. Arabplast will take place Jan. 10-13.
Running alongside will be Tekno Tube Arabia, the region's only international trade show for tube and pipe manufacturing and technology. Tekno Tube brings together exhibitors from 13 countries around the world to service the region, which accounts for 34 per cent of the global demand for pipes. Tekno Tube Arabia will run Jan. 10-13.
Sign and Graphic Imaging Middle East, taking place from Jan.11-13 is the region's largest and longest-running trade show servicing the signage, graphic imaging, outdoor media, and screen and digital printing industries. Acting as the industrial glue that connects brands to their target customers, this lucrative industry is projected to grow 7.2 per cent per annum in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), reaching US$26 billion by 2018.
Source: The Gulf Today