International onslaught on Middle East Signage Industry continues unabated as Sign & Graphics opens to the largest ever participation

Sign & Graphics Middle East 2007 opened its doors to a fascinating display of latest technology, innovative digital solutions and assembly lines with over 270 companies from 35 countries converting the 13,000 sq m exhibition area into a vertical showcase of the 'best and the latest' across a broad band of product categories related to the advertising, films, outdoor media, photo imaging and point of sale industries.

The show running upto Ist March was officially inaugurated by HH Hussain Nasser Lootha, Acting Director, Dubai Muncipality at Dubai World Trade Centre, in the presence of senior industry people, visiting technocrats, senior officials of DWTC, market analysts and media.

Organised by International Expo Consults, Sign & Graphics Middle East has emerged as a benchmark for the rapidly growing sign and graphic advertisement industry in the region. The increasing international participation in the event is evident from the fact that the 2007 event has grown by 30 percent from the previous year. An increasing number of international brands are seeking to use the exhibition to gain entry into the regional markets while as already established brands ensure participation to consolidate their market shares, penetrate into new emerging markets and to showcase new innovations and improvisations in their product lines.

According to Mr. Abdul Rehman Falaknaz,

'The 30 percent growth of Sign & Graphics, reflects the growth and interest of the international industry in the booming Middle East signage and graphic advertising market. The stupendous and unparalleled infrastructural expansion all across the Middle East coupled with regional retail boom demarcates the Middle East on the world map as the region of exceptionally high growth and opportunities as far as signage and graphic industry is concerned. The entry of new brands from every imaginable industry and from every possible corner of the world is hugely accelerating the insatiable demand for outdoor advertising opportunities in the region. The demand will grow unabated as Middle East continues with its ambitious real estate forays and as additional retail space gets added in the region which already leads on 'retail space per capita' basis.'

Over eight percent of regions increasing advertising spend is attributed to signage media. In terms of GCC alone, the industry has reached approximately $ 2 billion. In 2006, $47 million went into outdoor advertising compared to $ 29m for 2005- an increase of 13 percent. After Saudi Arabia, the UAE is the second largest market in terms of signage and graphic advertisements in the region while the country tops the region in its overall advertising spend which surpassed AED 3.9 billion in 2006 and is expected to grow at a stupendous 22 percent per annum.

While the country participations are limited to Romania , Sign and Graphics 2007 is hallmarked by an increased participation of companies from the USA and Europe. Romania's debut at the 9th edition of the show has brought together a group of companies exhibiting a range of products with a special focus on luminous signs components.

Sign and Graphics 2007 brings together the largest debut of innovative technologies in large format digital printing solutions, cutting /engraving and moulding equipment, sign components, multi faceted advertising display components , thermal and dye sublimation equipment, laser cutting and display equipment, sign equipment and supplies, Led Signs , lighting and accessories etc. The major individual participations include the biggest names in the industry like Hewlett Packard Europe, Sony, Vutek, Superwide Digital, Flex Europa Middle East, Canon, Kemsol Ltd, Giffin Graphics, Emirtaes Computers and many others.

Commenting on Dubai Municipality's patronage of Sign & Graphics, Mr. Mohammed Al Noori, Head of Advertising, 'Dubai Municipality's support to Sign & Graphics Middle East is in line with our vision of making Dubai, the hub of the Middle East advertising industry. Dubai is the gateway to the regional advertising industry and a trend setter in the industry is not lost on the international industry and trade people.

The very fact that global industry leaders like Vutek, Canon, Sony , HP, Masonlite converge at Sign & Graphics and have repeatedly chosen the exhibition as the venue for worldwide launch of new innovative technologies, goes to affirm Dubai's emerging status as an important international business destination.'

Organized on the largest scale ever, International Expo Consults is hoping to surpass the 2006 benchmark of facilitating AED 460 million business at the 2006 event and looking forward to a heavy influx of trade visitors. The previous event attracted visitors from 84 countries including advertising and design consultants, architects, brand and image consultants, print and production professionals, real estate developers, retail and marketing specialists, technocrats and analysts, people from the hospitality sector, leisure and entertainment.