Reed Exhibitions acquires six shows from UAE company

The shows were acquired from Abu Dhabi-based Trans Continental Fairs Management (TCFM), which has been in the local exhibition market since 1982.

With the acquisitions, Reed will organize the following additional exhibitions:
•Abu Dhabi International Motor Show (ADIMS), Abu Dhabi, UAE
•Abu Dhabi International Jewellery & Watch Show (ADIJEX), Abu Dhabi, UAE
•Middle East Aluminium Exhibition ( ALUMEX), Dubai, UAE
•Middle East Pool Exhibition & Conference (ME Pool), Dubai, UAE
•Qatar Water and Electricity Technology Exhibition & Conference (QWETEX), Doha, Qatar
•Gulf Road Technology Exhibition & Conference ( Roadteq), Doha, Qatar

Mike Rusbridge, Chairman of Reed Exhibitions, said: "We moved into the regional market in December 2006 with the establishment of our regional office in Abu Dhabi because of the tremendous business potential both in the UAE and the region. We are delighted with this acquisition and we will strive to bring an international flavour to these events."

These will add to Reed Exhibitions' current portfolio of events in the UAE which include the well known Arabian Travel Market, GITBM the Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition, the newly launched TDIM (Tourism Development Projects & Investment Market), ISNR (International Security & National Resilience), Building Futures Gulf by BATIMAT, as well as the ENVIRONMENT Exhibition & Conference. It will also bring Reed Exhibitions to Qatar where the economy is booming.

Frederic Theux, President of Reed Exhibitions Middle East, said: "These acquisitions reinforce our commitment to the exhibitions sector in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the region. Great synergies exist between the events we have acquired and our international portfolio and we will leverage our global experience and network to deliver added value to participants at these shows."

Theux said that Reed Exhibitions Middle East will continue to expand its portfolio: "Reed is the world's leading organiser of exhibitions and conferences with an international portfolio of 460 events spanning more than 50 industry sectors. In the current phase of UAE's, and the region's, economic growth and diversification, and considering the emphasis in this part of the world on the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions) sector, it is easy to see how Reed can play a major role in meeting the growing regional demand for trade and consumers shows," he said.

Walid Saleh, the CEO and founder of Trans Continental Fairs Management (TCFM), said the company was pleased that the shows that it had nurtured over the years would now be managed by Reed Exhibitions. "We have a legacy of 25 years in the exhibitions sector, and we have put in great efforts to manage these shows in the past. We are certain that these exhibitions will grow under the Reed umbrella to become truly international events."