GITEX Dubai online pre-registration kicks into action Friday

Dubai,UAE
Individuals interested in visiting GITEX 2001 trade show being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from October 14-18, 2001 can avoid long line-ups by pre-registering in advance. Last year, at the height of the registration process, more than 1000 online registrations were being processed daily, and a total of more than 27,000 registered through the online service.

"This year we have further improved the online pre-registration process through the incorporation of barcode technology. This will enable the name badge pick-up process to be even quicker than it was in 2000," said Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Corporate Manager, Exhibitions, Dubai World Trade Centre.

The introduction of an entry fee for visitors to the GITEX trade show has also changed how the pre-registration process will be implemented this year. Only pre-registered visitors holding a complimentary invitation will be able to pick-up their name badges in advance, at various strategically located off-site stations as of October 11. Alternatively, complimentary pass holders may pick up their name badge at the exhibition at Halls 5, 5a, 6, 7 or 8.

All other online pre-registrants will be required to pick up their name badge at the exhibition, at Hall 1, 2, 3 or 4 and pay the applicable fee at that time. Visitors may choose to purchase either a 'season ticket' for AED 60 which enables the holder to access the trade show at anytime throughout its five-day duration or a day ticket for AED 20 which grants access on one specified date only.

College and university students presenting a current identification card confirming their active enrolment in an educational institute will also be welcome, and the same fee structure and registration process applies.

"GITEX is first and foremost a trade show for senior executives involved in the decision-making process governing IT expenditures in the public and private sectors and IT professionals including software engineers, analysts, designers and programmers. We are committed to ensuring visitors to the event represent this broad range of individuals which also extends to lay individuals who use and purchase IT products for personal use and can provide their business card on payment of the applicable fee. The quality of visitors is an important aspect of any trade event and we are confident the nominal fee we are initiating will help ensure visitors to the event are members of the target audience," explained Al Hashemi, adding that the DWTC will be donating a portion of the revenue collected through the trade show entry fee to a designated charity.

In 2000 the DWTC introduced a nominal entry fee (AED 15) to individuals participating in the GITEX retail component, Computer Shopper, held at Airport Expo Dubai. A portion of the fees collected were then presented to the Dubai Autism Society to help support its community activities. The same fee structure will apply to the retail component this year which will be held October 13-19 at Airport Expo Dubai. And again a portion of the fees collected will be donated to the Dubai Autism Society.


For further information contact:
Janice Edgar, Corporate Communications Division
Dubai World Trade Centre LLC, PO Box 9292 Dubai UAE
Tel: (971 4) 308 6083, Fax: (971 4) 3314853
E Mail: janice.edgar@dwtc.com ,
Internet: www.gitex.com or www.dwtc.com