PALME takes centre stage today

The sixth PALME Middle East show opens today at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre. 'This year's show has set a new record in terms of the number of exhibitors and the amount of exhibition space sold. Five exhibition halls covering 20,000 square metres have been sold out for some time and with trade visitor numbers expected to top 8,500, PALME is now firmly established as the world's largest event of its kind,' said Neil Hickman, Group Exhibitions Director of event organisers IIR Exhibitions Entertainment and Installations Technology Group.

PALME 2008 will accommodate 272 exhibitors and represent over 800 companies. A strategic change in the event structure of PALME has led to the successful evolution of three clearly defined vertical sectors, Install, MUSAC and Event 360. Combined they cover the entire spectrum of the entertainment industry, from cabling and lighting solutions to musical instruments and live acts.

The clarity in the dedicated verticals, their synergy and the overall strategic direction of the event has spurred an influx of first time exhibitors especially in the burgeoning regional events industry. With a plethora of new and enlarged venues springing up particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Event 360 has benefited enormously from the growing number of professional event managers throughout the Middle East.

'This sector is growing rapidly. Not only due to the greater size of the new venues which can attract ever-more popular entertainers, but the volume. By that I mean Dubai for example can host dozens of top quality events on any given day or evening. To recognise the expertise that has now become prevalent within the industry, this year we decided to launch the Event 360 conference programme and a dedicated awards scheme,' commented Hickman.

Another innovation is the fully-integrated Smart Residential Homes zone, constructed on 80 square metres and sponsored by AMX and major residential distributors EON will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the Install sector. The booming Middle East real estate sector is driving the steady rise of Install exhibitors, which this year include the likes of Meyer, Christie, OPUS, NEC and many other internationally renowned brand names.

The coveted Middle East Lighting Design Awards (MELDA) will also feature prominently on the architectural lighting industry calendar. Celebrating true innovation in lighting design, the winners will be announced on Sunday 27 April at a special gala dinner in the Park Hyatt Hotel, Dubai.

As with previous years, PALME Middle East will again take a well earned break from its B2B profile and embrace a party mood at MUSAC, the musical instruments and accessories sector of the event. Appropriately, MUSAC will host the semi-finals of the Pioneer-sponsored PALME DJ competition will be held on the 27 and 28 of April. The finalists will hit the decks on the final day of PALME, with the best DJs battling it out for $20,000 worth of prizes and the crown of undisputed king of the turntables.