Expect much more than the best in technology at Gitex shopper 2008

Besides an array of product launches from the biggest brands in the world, Gitex Shopper 2008 at Dubai Airport Expo is a spectacular venue filled with fun, games, prizes, promotions and much more from the 18 - 24 October 2008.

The most eagerly awaited highlight at the event for the many gaming enthusiasts at least, is the Gitex Digital Game World. A live interactive gaming segment dedicated to gaming, digital entertainment, digital content and inter-connectivity, Gitex Digital Game World is the largest ever eSport platform in the Middle East welcoming regional teams battling it out with global participants for a combined cash prize of Dhs200,000 in two competitions - the Gitex Digital Game World Championship and the Intel Extreme Masters III Global Challenge.

The eSport platform was transformed into an arena where teams battled it out, adding a supercharged atmosphere to the event.

The crowds at Gitex Shopper are not a new phenomenon, considering the popularity of the show. With more than ever on offer at this year's event, the organiser Dubai World Trade Centre in association with the Dubai Road & Transport Authority (RTA), have worked together to try to ease the traffic flow en route to Dubai Airport Expo.

The RTA has provided two shuttle bus services to transport people to and from selected RTA bus stations in Dubai to the venue. The selected starting points are the Al Ghubaiba Station and the Al Satwa Station, with numerous scheduled stops in between. The buses (101 and c1) will transport people to and from the venue every fifteen minutes.

The event includes plenty of giveaways and promotions that are a huge incentive for visitors. Leading the way is the Gitex Shopper 2008 Mega Draw, which any visitor spending Dhs500 or more at any of the stands is entitled an entry into.

This raffle-based lucky draw comes with a host of exciting prizes, including a Renault Safrane, home theatres, laptops, JVC camcorders, Canon digital cameras, BenQ LCD TV's, Mashreq Millionaire certificates, mobiles phones and lots more.

Mr. Pankaj Nadkarni, Project Manager of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the organiser of the show, said:

"We want to transform the Gitex Shopper visitor experience this year into one that goes beyond merely shopping, considering the number of promotions and onsite entertainment lined up which has something for everyone."

Network International is partnering again with Gitex Shopper and Consumer Electronics Expo 2008 to run the highly successful Swipe and Win promotion. The promotion entitles shoppers to a guaranteed prize on every purchase made with a Credit/Debit Card processed on a Network International POS terminal at Gitex Shopper. Prizes include restaurant vouchers, CD bundles, USB's, Laptops, game consoles and many more.

Last year's success of the Charged Guitar Hero promotion has also prompted ITP to return this year with the Charged Xbox 360 Band Of The Year promotion. Young rock wannabes have the opportunity of a lifetime to become a real rock legend by dropping into the Charged stand with three fellow 'band mates,' and try their hand at guitars, drums or vocals and win fabulous prizes every day including Xbox 360 consoles.

Activision will be giving away four super bundles including the game, a drum kit, two guitars and a microphone. One lucky group will win the coveted title of 'Charged XBox 360 Band of the Year' and be featured in Charged magazine. "Last year's competition gave us an insight into how popular this event is with the younger generation, and this year we are back with more prizes that will be music to their ears, literally!" said Nicola Barr, Head of Events at ITP, the publishers of Charged.

Some of the biggest brands in the world join the promotional bandwagon this year, in addition to showcasing their latest. Canon and National Store LLC are getting together to give aspiring shutterbugs a 'shot' at the big time by providing professional training to mid-range and high-end Canon EOS DSLR camera users for free.

"The 'Be A Pro With Canon' promotion will go a long way in helping our customers understand our products better and get the most out of their camera" said Sushil Gabriel of the National Store. "Learning to master the art of photography can be an immensely satisfying journey and we are very happy to help people on their way" he added. Likewise, Toshiba highlights its ongoing consumer promotion of Toshiba Millionaire at Gitex Shopper. This promotion gives Toshiba patrons the chance to become the first Toshiba Millionaire.

With all these amazing promotions, it's not easy to forget that Gitex Shopper will once again feature the best and latest from the world of technology. So if you're a gadget lover or just someone looking for some thrills and spills, rest assured that you will find all this and more at Gitex Shopper 2008.

The event is held at the Central, West and East Halls in Dubai Airport Expo from the 18 - 24 October 2008 and will open its doors from 11am to 10pm from 18 - 23 of October and from 3pm to 10pm on the 24 October. Tickets are priced at Dhs20 per person, per entry. Visitors can avoid the queues on-site by booking tickets online through Time Out Tickets.

New for this year is an expanded park and ride service for exhibitors and visitors in the Shaikh Hamdan Mosque parking compound in Garhoud located near the Airport Expo. There will be a continuous free shuttle service between the car park and the Airport Expo from 9am - 12 midnight. In addition to this, there will be shuttle buses operating to and from major city points.