Abu Dhabi to host dedicated regional trade show for marketing communications industry

Signage, Imaging and Media (SIM 2008) will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 25-27 November 2008 - a combination of three events under one roof providing access to important decision-makers from across the marketing spectrum throughout the Middle East.

The choice of Abu Dhabi for SIM 2008 is significant. The emirate is investing billions of dollars in theatres, film studios, media academies, TV and radio stations and giant printing plants.

According to IIR Middle East, the organisers of SIM, the total spent on advertising across the Gulf Co-operation Council countries is estimated at over $5bn, a substantial element of which goes on signage, imagery and media.

"SIM 2008 is a unique opportunity to meet and conduct business with decision makers in three interrelated vertical sectors of the marketing communications industry," said Trevor Punt, Group Exhibitions Director for IIR Middle East.

"The convergence of these sectors under one roof presents an unprecedented opportunity for business synergies."

An example is the outdoor advertising market in the Middle East - one of the most buoyant in the world with double digit growth. "As the rapid expansion of the real estate and retail industries continues unabated, demand for signage and display graphics will continue to increase at an exponential rate," Punt added.

The imaging section of SIM 2008 offers agencies and marketing professionals a platform to source the suppliers of high quality imagery. "The appropriate and effective use of imagery in a marketing campaign can often be the crucial between success and failure, especially in multi-cultural societies," said Punt. "Marketing throughout the Middle East is maturing rapidly and high quality imagery is a prerequisite to support brand positioning both regionally and globally."

The media section of SIM 2008 will offer the Abu Dhabi market the first dedicated event for print, electronic, online and exhibition media service providers to showcase their solutions to media buyers and clients from the UAE and the wider Middle East.

"The Middle East media industry is growing at an impressive rate," Punt said. "But as new and innovative media enter the market, the resulting fragmentation presents media owners with new challenges in demonstrating and delivering, quality and added value."

The focus sectors of SIM 2008 include printing; signage; banners and posters; pre-press; digital imaging, capture, storage and processing; electronic media; advertising production; marketing and public relations; outdoor media; new media; events and exhibitions; and entertainment.