Top names from digital imaging industry set to take centre stage at PhotoWorld - Dubai 2007

Channels Exhibitions, the organisers of PhotoWorld - Dubai 2007, announced that top exhibitors from various countries will showcase their latest innovations at the prestigious exhibition, which will be held at Dubai World Trade Centre from April 17 to 19, 2007.

Distributors and trade visitors will get an opportunity to source and identify new innovations and points of supply by networking directly with international exhibitors from over 16 countries. Top-notch digital imaging brands like Nokia, HP and Sony Ericsson will also be on display at the exhibition.

Speaking on the profile of the exhibitors, Mr Justin Boutros, Managing Director, Channels Exhibitions, said:

"Over 75 exhibitors have confirmed their participation at PhotoWorld - Dubai 2007, which is a substantial increase in the number of exhibitors over last year. Given the fact that the expo has support of all the leading companies from around the world, we are confident that the expo will provide an impetus to the digital imaging sector."

He added: "The expo is an ideal platform for buyers and manufacturers of imaging and associated products. Last year, we had over 4,000 professionals and trade buyers from 60 countries. The strategic location of Dubai, coupled with the business opportunities extended by the region, makes it an ideal melting pot for those in search of new territories and business opportunities in the industry."

Some of the leading European digital imaging majors who will display the industry's latest technological updates include Ansmann Energy Gmbh (who will exhibit charging technology products and battery packs), AP Photo Industries S.L., Cartotecnica Ti.Ci. (classical Italian albums), Digital Collections & Ferlester.

The expo will also feature manufacturers and suppliers from AFIF - The Spanish Photo Industry Manufacturers Association while EZ Book Maker, a US-based company, will be exhibiting revolutionary 'easy-to-use' digital album binding machines targeted to various photo laboratories and studios from around the region.

Among the other prominent exhibitors will be PRO TECHnology, the authorised reseller of HP large format printers in the Gulf, excluding Saudi Arabia. At PhotoWorld - Dubai 2007, PRO TECHnology will exhibit a range of HP printers for digital proofing, imaging and other large formats.

Emad Shawqi, General Manager, PRO TECHnology Co, said: "This is the first time that PRO TECHnology is participating in the event. We have seen a drastic change in the print industry, many of the local industries are booming and there is a high demand for large-scale visibility across the Middle East. PhotoWorld - Dubai 2007 is the perfect venue to highlight latest technological advancements to existing and potential customers. The product line being showcased will cater to the specific requirements of the industry."

Catering to the retail market, the show will also feature photo-kiosks and retail printing solutions from companies like Almoe FZ - Sony Professional and Broadcast, Mitsubishi Electric, UK and FlyTech Technology, Taiwan.

Mitsubishi will also showcase their new flexi-lab system which is designed to meet the requirements of investors in digital photo processing market. Also on display will be the latest photo printing systems and solutions for retail and professional applications, its new dye sublimation printers, digital photo-kiosks and the latest range of LCD public displays.

The show will also offer state-of-the-art imaging and printing solutions catered for both the home user and also B2B market. OKI Printing Solutions, a first time participant at PhotoWorld - Dubai 2007, will launch their latest printer, the PRoQ2400. While Jacky's Group of Companies will represent San Marco Imaging, Plug Ins Electronics will showcase the latest iPods, HP, Samsung mobiles, Canon, Panasonic, Nikon, Fuji, Toshiba multimedia laptops, Hama, Nokia, Dell XPS laptops.

PhotoWorld - Dubai 2007 will showcase every category of digital imaging that includes digital cameras, multimedia devices, digital printers, digital photo kiosks, handycams, overhead projectors, imaging software, digital minilabs, photographic and printing paper, studio accessories, photo finishing chemicals and digital albums.

In addition to the trade show, there will be seminars and workshops on all days of the event. Organised by the Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers, the seminars will be handled by Mike McNamee, Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and the British Professional Photographers Association and Martin Grahame-Dunn, past MPA National President and Chairman of Qualifications. The themes will include Calibration, lighting, posing and Composition for the portrait photographer, photoshop masking etc.

The Middle East region boasts of a consumer base of over 1.3 billion tech savvy consumers, which is growing at three per cent every year. According to market reports, between 2005 and 2009, digital prints are expected to grow 26 per cent annually from 60 billion to 152 billion. By 2009, revenue from digital prints is also set to grow exponentially. Reports indicate that more than 55 per cent of those prints will be created at a retail location.