Emirati women drive small business success story

Major event organisers IIR Middle East said today that record numbers of small local companies will take part in the The Bride Show exhibitions it will be staging again in Abu Dhabi next month and Dubai in April, and the trend is set to continue.

"Over the last four years The Bride Show exhibitions have seen a 30 per cent growth in floor space and a 50 per cent increase in revenue, and much of this is due to the growing success story of small, local companies," said IIR Exhibition Manager Daphne Cota.

"Overall, local businesses account for 80 per cent of our exhibitors, and the number of small businesses taking part in The Bride Show will grow to at least 30% in Abu Dhabi this year and 25 per cent in Dubai, and we expect this continue in the years ahead."

She added: "Many of these small companies are usually operated by Emirati women from home or small workshops, at least in the early years, as they have limited production capacity and need to keep overheads down.

"But many are growing steadily thanks to the creative ability and entrepreneurial skills of their owners, and we have gradually been building a partnership with them through The Bride Show. The two exhibitions are a cost effective way to reach a larger audience and to create brand awareness, and for some of the small local businesses taking part it is the first time they come fact to face with customers.

"Our visitors are mainly Arab women, and for small local companies run by Emiratis, who may find it tough to begin with, the contacts they make at the exhibition and the sales they generate can kick-start their business.

"They use The Bride Show as a platform to gain valuable experience about the pricing process and to shape their business. We work together closely with them to ensure the exhibitions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai meet their requirements and needs."

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi takes place from 5-8 February at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre while The Bride Show Dubai runs from 23-26 April at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre. Both events showcase an exclusive range of bridal dresses, honeymoon packages, evening wear, jewellery, and wedding services, accompanied by a large variety of fashion shows.

Over the last four years the two exhibitions have seen a 30 per cent growth in floor space and a 50 per cent increase in revenue, and exhibitors like couture fashion house La Donna have shared in the success story.

"After each show our sales increase markedly," said La Donna's owner, Aysha Falasi Bin Masem, who started the company from a small shop in Deira and currently employs more than 40 tailors, beaders, designers and office staff in an operation now run from a villa facing Jumeirah Beach Park. "It has not only helped our business grow, but we have also been able to increase our profile in the UAE and spread the word about our services."

Special features of The Bride Show include the official Scent for the two exhibitions, created by Abu Haleeqa Stores in Dubai, and the Swarovski Abaya Design Awards in Abu Dhabi and the Swarovski Young Designer Awards in Dubai.