DSF Organising Committee holds first briefing ahead of DSF 2008

The thirteenth edition of the festival will begin on January 24 and last till February 24. The meeting was presided over by Saeed Al Nabouda, Chief Executive Officer of DSF and attended by a host of government dignitaries and officials who make up the Committee.

Ibrahim Saleh, Chief Operating Officer of DSF; Laila Suhail, Chief Strategy Officer of DSF, and Yousif Mubarak, DSF Events, Operations, and Services Director were also present in the meeting.

The gathering was briefed on the outlines of the upcoming DSF edition, and plans to ensure the smooth functioning of DSF 2008 were also discussed. Al Nabouda began by thanking the government representatives on their support for DSF and their continued contribution to promote Dubai as a world-class tourist destination.

"DSF has become an integral part of Dubai's rapid progress and its stature will only rise in the coming years. As part of our new vision for the festival, the DSF Office will concentrate its efforts on enhancing and developing the shopping concept as a core element of DSF especially since Dubai's retail market is the most vibrant and dynamic in the region. The support of all government departments and the private sector will play a significant role in the success of the new strategy laid out for DSF,"

said Al Nabouda.

Ibrahim Saleh also addressed the gathering and briefed the committee members on two upcoming road shows - the World Travel Market being held in London, and the GCC road show, organized by the Dubai Department of Trade and Commerce Marketing. The World Travel Market, one of the biggest b2b travel and tourism exhibitions, will begin on November 12 and go on till November 15. The GCC road show, while touring key GCC cities, will be held between November 13 and 24 to promote Dubai as the perfect destination in the region.

Representatives of the following government departments were present in the meeting: Dubai Municipality and Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD), Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Dubai Police General Headquarters, Department of Civil Defence, Unified Ambulance Centre, Department of Health & Medical Services, Dubai Educational Zone, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dubai Cultural Council, Dubai Ports and Customs, Dubai Media City, Watani National Program, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and the Department of Economic Development.

The following sub-committees were also formed to oversee various operations during DSF 2008: Safety Committee, City Decoration Committee, Operational and Logistical Committee, Welcoming Committee, Social Committee, Media Committee, Entertainment Committee, and Registration Committee.