Gifts & Premium - Dubai '08 doubles size compared to '07

Gifts & Premium - Dubai 2008, to be organised by Channels Exhibitions between October 28 and 30 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, will have exhibitors from 20 countries, including top international brands and well-known local and regional companies. Over 70% of exhibitors are top manufacturers and suppliers from outside the UAE.

The exhibition -- the only trade fair of its kind for gifts, medals, festive decoration and handicrafts - has attracted record participation from Europe (UK, Germany, Italy and France), Kuwait, Qatar, China, US, Bangladesh, Egypt and Morocco.

In his comments, Mr Justin Boutros, Managing Director of Channels Exhibitions, said:

"We are happy to announce record participation for the Gifts & Premium - Dubai 2008. The exhibition has achieved 80 per cent rebooking from the last year's event, which reflects its success over the years. The exhibition opens up new vistas for the Middle East region, which supports a dynamic regional market for gifts, premiums and stationery. The strategic location of Dubai offers those looking out for new business opportunities a unique meeting point."

He added: "With the region's consumers commanding very high per capita disposable income, there is a massive demand for gifts, home ware products, handicrafts and corporate gifts. This event is tailormade for such an inherent demand."

Among those who are participating this year include specialists retailers, supermarkets, home and lifestyle retailers, duty free, travel retail, distributors, importers, event management companies, media and marketing companies.

Showcasing a diversity of products from high-quality corporate stationery to high-value trophies, pens, watches as well as novelty giftware and products for festive occasion, the exhibitors range from leading international to regional brands - from Rivoli to Dunhill, Montblanc, Damas, Crystal Arc, Chocoa, Swatch, Kenzo, Lamborghini watches to Bernard Florentin pens.

One of the growing attractions for exhibitors at Gifts & Premium fairs is the opportunity for cross-marketing. Apart from the substantial volumes of business done with external, walk-in businesses and customers, many exhibitors get a unique opportunity to strike business deals with each other.

Gifts & Premium 2007 exhibition was attended by over 5,000 trade visitors from approximately 40 countries. Importers, re-exporters and wholesalers accounted for nearly 60 per cent of the visitors to the exhibition.