Strong upward growth trend of the Middle East music industry continues unabated

Added to this is the fact that musical education is compulsory for pupils up to the age of 14 - thousands of students take the Trinity College and Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music examinations every year.

"My experience over the past 6 years in the UAE is that the music business is uptrending due to many positive issues, one being the sustained increase in population. When I first arrived here 6 years ago, Dubai had a population of approximately 600,000 - today that's grown to around 2 million and the projections are that this will increase to as many as 10 million over the next 5-6 years." says Tyler Smith, Director of the Dubai-based Popular Music Institute and a representative of both the Trinity College London and Rockschool UK, who anticipates a continued period of growth and expansion.

"This, with the more highly educated nature of the expatriates that Dubai is attracting, the music business is poised to continue its upward spiral. I can tell you this, I've worked in the music business in many places in the world, and Dubai reminds me of the US in the 60's and early 70's in terms of the growth of the industry." he added.

The growth of the music industry throughout the region created demand for a professional and comprehensive showcase for the sector - MUSAC, part of the well-established and internationally renowned PALME exhibition, is the Middle East region's first trade show dedicated to the musical instruments and accessories sector - specifically designed as the showcase where the region's key buyers and decision makers can see the very latest products from the leading names in the music industry, it features a comprehensive range of musical instruments (both modern and classical) and accessories. Further depth comes in the form of specialist areas for music distribution, publishing, production, promotion, computer software for music, merchandising and retail support plus sheet music.

Organised by international exhibition and conference organisers IIR, PALME (the Middle East's premier professional sound, light, music, audio visual and systems integration) Exhibition is firmly established as a must attend event on the industry trade show calendar, and has drawn on the success of IIR's music industry experience through the CALM Expo in Beijing, China, PALA Exhibition and Conference in Singapore and WASBE (The World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles) Conference to further develop and enhance MUSAC for 2006, which takes place alongside PALME at Dubai's International Exhibition Centre from April 24-26.

"MUSAC received an incredible response at this year's PALME, and was supported by leading industry names such as Peavey, Korg, Fender, Roland and Yamaha, all of whom found exhibiting to be highly beneficial given the extremely buoyant nature of the industry" said Darren Brechin, Project Director, PALME. "We have since spent a considerable amount of time looking at how we can further enhance and develop the event for both exhibitors and visitors, and from the discussions that we have had with the key industry players and many of the region's decision makers, it is clear that MUSAC has a major role to play in the development of the regional musical instrument and accessories industry - our commitment is to continue to expand the unique focus and depth of the event, using the expertise acquired through our other music events, CALM, PALA and WASBE, which are globally recognised as highly influential leading trade events."

"It's not just the educational sector that is showing huge growth either - an incredible amount of investment is being committed throughout the MENA region for the development of new hotels and leisure resorts to cater for the growing number of tourists visiting the region" he added. "The resulting increase in the numbers of bars, restaurants and night clubs offering live entertainment means that the hospitality and tourism market is creating further, increased demand for musical instruments and accessories, which is now at an all-time high."

A unique forum for the industry, MUSAC is a place where end users representing all segments of the MENA music world can meet regional and international manufacturers, importers, dealers, distributors and retailers. "We know that the show will make a major contribution towards strengthening the quality of the region's music industry, which also represents such great business potential for exhibitors - conscious of this, we have been especially careful to design it in a way that maximises the benefit for everyone involved." Brechin pointed out.

Already over 65% sold out with eight months still to go, manufacturers and suppliers from all around the world are adding their names to the exhibitor list. Research undertaken after the 2005 event shows that they can confidently look forward to meeting an audience that is well qualified and has substantial spending power.

As Tyler Smith concludes, "Are we bullish on the music industry in Dubai? Yes we are. Right now we are in the process of planning and opening two new schools. In addition, Yamaha will have a new warehouse and two showrooms, all of which will be completed within the next 6 months."

The long-term prospects for the region are very bright, and MUSAC has already proven itself to be a great way to establish and expand a presence in what is arguably the world's most active and potentially lucrative market environment.