DWTC's world class March line up highlights Dubai's leading role in exhibition sector

With 3,000 exhibitors and approximately 200,000 visitors from 125 countries expected to attend during the month of March, DWTC's world class calendar of international events, will play a crucial role in driving visitor traffic to the region, further highlighting Dubai's position as the regional gateway for business.

The calendar showcases sectors including: healthcare/pharmaceuticals; technology/communications; energy/environment; agriculture; aviation defence; marine leisure; equine sports/goods and services; commercial vehicles and equipment; National employment; and, retail/hospitality. These world class shows will be held across DWTC's key venues, the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) and the Dubai Airport Expo.

Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre said,

"The quality and range of exhibitions scheduled for March is a powerful testament to Dubai's leading position as an exhibition and conference destination. It emphasises the exhibition sector's robust market outlook that continues to drive economic growth to the region. DWTC remains committed to providing the ideal platform for business networking by hosting a truly global calendar of world class events - clearly demonstrated by the breadth of business sectors represented across this month's 20 shows."

Supporting the strategic focus on healthcare for Dubai's economic agenda, with the GCC market slated to grow at 9% year on year (Alpen Capital Research) by 2020, DWTC will host five shows in March covering this industry. This includes the areas of anaesthesia, dental health, rehabilitation, pharmaceuticals and children's health. NYSORA World Anaesthesia Congress marks the first of five major healthcare exhibitions and congresses taking place concurrently from 7-25 March. The 14th edition of the UAE International Dental Conference and Arab Dental Exhibition (AEEDC), one of the most prestigious annual gatherings of Oral Health professionals, will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance, and President of the Dubai Health Authority and is expected to attract more than 20,000 exhibitors and visitors.

DWTC will also host Dubai International Rehabilitation Forum (REHAB), now in its 7th year, which continues to raise the profile of disability and rehabilitation issues in the Arab World; Dubai International Pharmaceuticals and Technologies Conference and Exhibition (DUPHAT), which has evolved into one of the key annual pharmaceutical events since its inception in 1995; and The Arab Children Health Congress (ACHC), founded by HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, now in its fourth year.

Ongoing from 1-3 March, Microsoft Tech•Ed is the premier technical education and networking event for any technology professional interested in learning, connecting and exploring a broad set of current and soon-to-release Microsoft technologies, tools, platforms and services. This is the first time that the flagship training forum has been held in the Gulf region, with Dubai selected by Microsoft to be one of the top 10 global custodians of Tech.Ed.

DWTC-organized events have a series of six diversified sectors being showcased in March, starting with CABSAT MENA and Satellite MENA being held from 2-4 March, which highlight the most up-to-date technologies. The Dubai International Boat Show from the 9-13 March, which is expected to highlight the region's resilience in the luxury sector with more than 25 super yachts exceeding 21 meters set to adorn the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) - a 45% increase on the 19 super yachts at last year's events. The Dubai International Horse Fair (DIHF), the region's largest exhibition for equestrian equipment, services and care products, will be held from 18-20 March, enhanced by The Dubai International Arabian Horse Championships (DIAHC), which achieved great success in 2009 with entries from 392 horses from 12 countries.

Closing the month, The 10th annual Careers UAE, from 28 - 30 March 2010, is a high-calibre event that enables talented UAE nationals in all fields to meet directly with recruiters and hiring managers from top employers.

DWTC's strong line up of events for the remainder of the year cover a wide variety of key sectors, which will continue to draw visitors in high numbers despite global economic challenges. According to AMR 2008, Dubai is acknowledged as the international hub for the Mena Region for a global industry estimated at over $29bn.