New Exhibition Director aims to fine tune the Formula; PALME Middle East set for further growth in 2008

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Within weeks of this year's record show drawing to a close, the sixth staging of PALME Middle East, which will occupy Halls 5, 6, 7 and 8 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre between April 27-29, has been announced.

Organisers IIR Exhibitions Entertainment & Installation Technology Group state that more than 7,000 visitors attended this year's three-day event at the end of May - an increase of 3 per cent on 2006. With 272 exhibitors representing 800 companies, the show secured its reputation as the largest gathering of entertainment industry professionals throughout the region. And they will be looking to consolidate those statistics in 2008.

'We certainly want to build on the phenomenal success of this year,' said Mr. Heuff, who is planning to fine tune the range of vertical events that make up PALME Middle East.

PALME Middle East
'The phenomenal growth of the show is largely attributable to the UAE's high degree of disposable income and its ever-booming real-estate market,' he reasons. 'As a consequence, the installation sector has greatly contributed to the success of PALME Middle East, with the Install Middle East vertical now making up 50% of the show.'

The aim will be to attract more installers, architects and consultants in 2008, by sending out specific tailored messages to these professional sectors.

Developments within Install Middle East will include the 'Smart Residential Technologies', a dedicated forum for suppliers and providers of integrated systems solutions and applications. A new feature for 2008 will be an interactive home displaying all the latest gadgets, high-end audio visual equipment and smart technologies.

IIR also plans to introduce more education programmes and focused seminars. 'The seminar support from CEDIA, who played an active role at Install Middle East this year, helped inform visitors about skill-sets required for professional home electronic system design and integration. Next year we will see a packed schedule with many of the industry heavyweights providing new ideas, innovations, advice and solutions,' promises the Exhibition Director.

Architectural lighting
The Architectural Lighting and Interior Illumination zone will once again present some truly eye-catching displays. Building on the success of Jonathan Speirs 'Made of Light - the Art of Light and Architecture' in Install Middle East, PALME again intends to be both influential and inspirational in the rapidly emerging Middle East lighting architectural scene.

Following the success of the inaugural Middle East Lighting Design Awards, IIR will host the second MELDA Awards, acknowledging and celebrating the region's brightest and best in lighting design excellence with a spectacular gala dinner.

Event 360 and MUSAC
Event 360 will continue to grow in 2008 as event technical production and management, staging and rigging all strive for higher values. The scope of Event 360 extends to venue dressing and hosting, and stand building. With more events taking place in the region than ever before, and the sound and lighting rental industry now burgeoning, IIR will host a major Event 360 Conference featuring keynote speakers and guests.

MUSAC, the extremely popular musical instrument vertical, will be relocated in 2008 to the Pavilion Hall, next to Halls 6 and 7, alongside the PALME DJ Competition - which is firmly placed on the region's DJ circuit as a key stepping stone for many up and coming young DJs.

This will be just one of many collateral events to be announced as the full programme develops; already confirmed is Lobo's ever-popular laser show extravaganza.