Sia Guest Dubai 2007 declares success by leading Italian firms

The three day event, organised in association with Rimini Fiera, Italy's largest expo centre, attracted the upper echelons of the business, design and hospitality industries and was commended during a recent press conference, attended by dignitaries including Khaled Bin Sulayem, Director General, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Government of Dubai, H.E. Paolo Dionisi, Italian Ambassador to the UAE, Lorenzo Cagnoni, President of Rimini Fiera and the Italian Trade Commissioner Ferdinando Fiore.

Lorenzo Cagnoni, President of Rimini Fiera said: "Through Sia Guest Dubai, Rimini Fiera introduced to the UAE and the Middle East the Italian brand of hospitality, architecture and design and offered both countries a powerful venue to establish new business relations. Sia Guest Dubai is part of our commitment to hospitality and tourism and is of great relevance to bolster the Italian and UAE trade relations."

The event was an essential platform of communication and networking between Italian and local designers and architects, and gave the Italian companies a high prospect to increase their investments and presence in the UAE market. Italy is among the top ten trading partners of the UAE after USA, Japan, UK and Germany with total exports to the UAE amounting to 2.5 billion euros in 2005. Italian exports to the UAE include jewellery, machinery, power generation equipment, furniture, domestic appliances, clothes and accessories and shoes, cosmetics and rubber and plastic items, metals, pipes and chemicals.

"Working closely with an internationally reputed event organizer such as Rimini Fiera and having been witness to the success of the first Sia Guest Dubai, we are looking forward to future collaborations that will provide members of the hospitality industry opportunities for expansion. We are also grateful for the commitment and support of the DTCM and all the local industry representatives who attended Sia Guest Dubai," concluded Dawood Al Shezawi, Managing Director, Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions.

Sia Guest Dubai brought together reputed Italian architects, design professionals and furniture manufacturers and local players in the hospitality, architecture and design industries. The seminar included a showcase of the creations of the Italian delegation and a tour to The World, The Palm and Dubai World Central, alongside scheduled meetings between different participating parties to establish future business.

Rimini Fiera has over 50 years of experience in exhibitions and is reputed for its major international exhibitions registering 12,000 exhibitors and over 1 million visitors in 2006. To occupy a growing footfall of exhibitions guests and of tourists, Rimini renovated the hotels in the city of Rimini, Italy, which spurred the decision to hold a specialized tourism event.