GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK elevates to new heights

The mega-event is now one of the world's top three technology events and this year's edition is set to increase its impact, by dividing into three major streams - GITEX Business Solutions, GULFCOMMS and Consumer Electronics - that will enable greater specialisation and focused business development for specific technology sectors.

Organisers are confident that the innovations introduced for 2007, which have been strongly endorsed by the industry, will contribute significantly to the growth of the GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK brand globally and propel the event to the next level.

This year's GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK occupies a full 64,000 sq. metres within Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, filling the entire venue to capacity. More than 3,300 companies showing off their best at the event, over 572 companies are participating for the first time including 3LCD, Blackberry, Dangaard, Harman House, HCL Technologies, NEC Philips and UTStarcom, Inc.

The event is sold out, with four companies hosting impressive of over 1,000m2 - Dubai Internet City (DIC), etisalat, Oracle and Sony.

Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre, said:

"GITEX has over the years consistently facilitated new business opportunities and partnerships for the participating international ICT community. We are confident this presentation of GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK, with the new customer-focussed initiatives will create even more business value for all participants."

Industry support has been robust, with world technology leaders including Acer, CA, Cisco, Cognos, DIC, du, etisalat, HP, IBM, i-Mate, Intel, Oracle, Panasonic, Samsung, SAP, Sun Microsystems, Sony, TRA and Trend Micro set to announce important strategic developments and host major product launches during the event.

In addition, GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK - which provides unparalleled access to one of the world's most dynamic technology markets - set to host a record number of international delegations, with 82 countries preparing to showcase their best in the ICT business.

The event will also welcome 28 national pavilions, with first time official representations from Italy and Bulgaria. Major country pavilions from across the region include Egypt with 28 companies and Lebanon welcoming 28 companies, whilst China forms the largest pavilion with 115 companies.

"Through the continued dialogue we have with our clients and the new programmes we implement, we believe we will be able to strategically position GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK as the most significant and innovative trade show to effectively serve the dynamic requirements of the region's ICT industry," commented Al Marri.

As part of its visitor enhancement programme for this year, GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK will present the GITEX Priority Club, sponsored this year by Sun Microsystems. This initiative will grant visiting senior executives with show-related privileges that will optimise their time and experience during their visit to the event.

Also new this year is GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK GLOBAL CONFERENCE, sponsored by IBM and developed with Conference Management Partner CPI. The Keynote Address features Mr Alfred W Zollar, World Wide President and General Manager of IBM Tivoli Software who will present to a senior executive audience on "Innovation That Matters".

This inaugural Global Conference features a 5-day educational programme of 45 speakers including Dr Otto Schily, Member of German Parliament, Optimiza, Mr. Justin Doo, MD, Trend Micro MEA, Mr. Hari Padmanabhan, CEO, 3I Infotech Middle East, Mr Mohammed Shah, CTO, KEC Saudi Arabia, Mr. Hatem Al Sibai, CIO, Al Ghurair Group, Mr. Bob Kalka, Global Security Enablement Manager Tivoli Software, IBM Software Group, Mr. Ahmad Al Mulla, CIO, DUBAL , amongst others in 10 powerpacked sessions.

The Conference programme is designed to complement the exhibition by providing a dialogue-based avenue of discussion for some of the challenges and opportunities currently experienced by the industry, particularly within the Middle East and North Africa.

A series of daily CxO power lunches have been designed to identify critical management issues and offer peer-level networking opportunities. Industry-specific sessions covering various themes are to include: Keeping pace with growth: focus on Public Sector, Customer first: Focus on Banking and Finance, Next generation services: Telecoms, and Emerging Technology as a Business Enabler.

Another key feature throughout the week is a group of Head to Head Industry Debates, which will bring together key stakeholders to explore some of the critical technology issues they face in an ever-changing business environment. These panel discussions aim to initiate dialogue around timely questions including Buy or build, Captive or outsourced, and IT: a profit centre or cost centre.

Complementing the series is the SMB Roundtables, which will focus on the needs of Small to Medium Businesses by encouraging interaction between business executives, IT Managers, and a group of leading panellists, in an interactive Q&A format.

Participants can also look forward to the first-ever Gadget Glam consumer technology showcase and product fashion show, jointly organised by GITEX and T3 Magazine. A visually appealing presentation concept, the HP-sponsored event will wow visitors daily with the latest and most awe-inspiring consumer electronic products and technologies.

GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK will run from 8-12 September 2007 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) and held in association with GITEX Shopper, which takes place from the 6-12 September 2007 at the Airport Expo Dubai.