Deals, launches & business galore as three-day event draws over 4,500 trade visitors

The event lived up to its status as the region's meeting point for the cable, satellite, broadcasting, media, entertainment and marketing technology. His Excellency Nabil Al Hamar, the Bahraini Minister of Information, visited the exhibition on its last day, and complimented the quality of the show.

'The exhibition business has registered an increase in recent years and Gemex, with its extensive focus on the cable, satellite and broadcasting industry in particular, has proven to be an impressive event in the DWTC's trade fair calendar drawing more than 200 exhibitors and over 4,500 trade visitors from around the globe, particularly from the GCC countries,' said DWTC Director General, Mubarak bin Fahad.

GEMEX provided exhibitors with a dynamic setting where technology and business strategies converge and trade visitors from around the region explore business opportunities. Many exhibitors have used GEMEX to launch their products for the first time in the Gulf and were overwhelmed with the business opportunities available in the region. First time and regular participants were very satisfied with their results, and expect an increase of business following the exhibition. They also reported that the quality of visitors at this year's exhibition has by far surpassed those of previous editions.

E-Vision, who is participating for the 5th time, launched their wireless technology at GEMEX 2003. 'Every year, the exhibition is more successful than the last and participation in the event has helped us create brand awareness for our organization. It is an excellent opportunity to meet with our suppliers and distributors,' said Mr. Humaid A. Rashid, the CEO of E-Vision.

Sony, along with its partners Procast and Jumbo, launched its latest Broadcast and Professional Products and Solutions at GEMEX 2003, demonstrating their networked end-to-end solutions for the ingest, post-production and play-out of programs, which improves workflow and efficiency. 'GEMEX allows Sony the opportunity to exchange ideas and opinions with industry executives from around the world. We have undergone a series of meetings that look very promising. We will be back next year with a larger participation,' said Mr. Nasser Refaat, the Manager for Systems Integration at Sony.

Triax, who is participating at the exhibition for the fourth year in a row, reported excellent response to the show. 'We have launched the Triax digital hidden Technology for the first time in the world; we attracted visitors and distributors from all around the region,' said Lars Nielsen, Area Sales Manager for Triax.

Panasonic launched its DV camcorder and stated that the response to the show was satisfying. 'With the focus on broadcast, satellite and cable, the exhibition continues to be the regional event for the respective industries. It is the only event of its kind in the Middle East, and we are looking forward to participating once again at the next edition,' said Mr. Robin Hood, the Technical Manager for the Broadcast and Professional Group at Panasonic.

Samsung also launched services for satellite receivers that guarantee uninterrupted transmissions. 'GEMEX continues to be the prime platform for us in the Middle Eastern market,' said Dennis Kim, Sales Manager of Samsung.

Another exciting launch that took place at GEMEX 2003 is the new CatTV System from Hirschmann Electronics. Hirschmann used the exhibition to launch their television and interactive services via cable for the first time in the world. This systems television allows signals to be transmitted terrestrially, via satellite, or broadband cable, which would allow individuals to communicate in a variety of advanced methods.

Eurostar Communications noted that the show offered great potential for growth, and complimented the quality of visitors that attended the exhibition. 'Many of the trade professionals who visit our stand provide innovative ideas that help us with our research and development. This exhibition is an excellent starting point that allows us to reap business in the region,' said Manoj Mathew, the Head of Marketing Services at Eurostar.

Echostar, the principle of Starvision, has been participating at the exhibition since its inception. 'The quality of visitors to this event improves every year. Middle East remains an important market and this exhibition has always been the major trade show to launch and showcase our products. GEMEX also allows us the opportunity to meet existing and new clients,' said Robert Lakos, the Vice-President of Technology Devlopment at Echostar.

Hussein Anani, the Director of Public Relations at UAE Radio and Television claims, 'GEMEX provides a forum for industry players to network; participation always broadens our client base, and this edition allowed us to further promote our launch of the satellite version of Channel 33. It is the right place to meet the right people in the market.'

Emirates Media reported great response, with visitors of professional calibre showing interest for future business opportunities. 'We have made some interesting contacts, and the exhibition is proof of the rapid development in terms of the media industry and the progression of tools available,' said Nujoom Alghanem, the stand supervisor of Emirates Media.

'The event has offered trade visitors a great opportunity to experience the latest equipment and services, various media programs, and future-oriented contents of the current industry, so that they can apply some of those to their own business,' remarked Mr. bin Fahad.

Organizers of the five country pavilions in the exhibition-China, Bavaria, Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom, agreed that their exhibitors were satisfied with the response the exhibition has received, and most were looking forward to coming back to the next edition of the show.

The UK pavilion considers GEMEX a natural place for their companies to meet and seek partners. The twenty-five UK companies that are exhibiting at this year's edition represented a wide range of technologies and services and showcased new products to test the market reaction. Atlas Television, one of the British companies represented at the UK Pavilion, used GEMEX to promote the launch of their professional television crew and broadcast equipment hire operation that will take place in the summer.

Intelsat came from the United States of America and introduced their Video Solutions for the first time in the Gulf at GEMEX. The company was very pleased with the organization and set up of the exhibition. 'We were very impressed in part with the quality of the audience. We achieved many high-calibre contacts looking for future business opportunities. We highly expect to be back for the next edition,' stated Mr. Roger Haisman, Marketing Project Manager of Intelsat.

Pinnacle of Germany and Viaccess of France stated that GEMEX is the leading event in the Middle East for the cable, satellite and broadcasting industries. Pinnacle has concluded major deals during their participation, with the Managing Director, Said Bacho, stating, 'We have received major deals from our counterparts in the UAE and GCC countries. The quality of visitors has been as pleasing as usual.'

Mariette Varga, the Exhibitions and Special Events Manager for Viaccess, said, 'We were very pleased to receive regional and international trade professionals from the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian Subcontinent, and have obtained many serious business inquiries that will hopefully result in successful deals'.

The large number of regional and international exhibitors who claimed they would return to next year's edition of the exhibition is further proof that GEMEX will remain the leading venue for professionals to showcase their products in the related fields. 'Interest in Gemex has been heightened by the growing potential of the Middle East market, making this event the region's largest showcase for latest innovations in the fields of advertising, broadcasting, cable and satellite, communications, entertainment, media, new media, music, publishing, production, post-production, transmission and distribution,' concluded Mr. bin Fahad.

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