Growth of the residential and commercial sectors create huge demand for smart technology throughout the Middle East

In just the last month, Emaar have launched their latest development, which will create an entire new residential and commercial suburb in Cairo, Egypt. Simultaneously, the growth of the UAE market has received a further boost in the form of the announcement of the planned implementation of timeshare property and other innovative property schemes in Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khamah and Umm Al Quwain.

It's a period of intense competition between the various developers, and, realising that need a real differentitator, they are increasingly looking to "smart" technology to deliver this. The MENA region is, without doubt, now the world's most active market in the sector, with great demand for the very latest innovations, state-of-the-art products and services, as developers, architects and specifiers look for ever more sophisticated, advanced systems.

The rapid development of technology within the installation and integration sector has made the automated home reality, with "smart" technology rapidly becoming a part of everyday living for more and more people throughout the MENA region. The result is that the business potential for both regional and international companies operating in the installation and integration sector is substantial, as the region's real estate sector expands at a rate that far exceeds global norms.

The total UAE real estate sector alone is set to grow to $50 billion by 2010, and the projects currently under development and in the planning stages are set to further stimulate the sector and associated industries. Bahrain and Qatar (which recently announced a $20 billion tourism project) are just two of the other Middle East countries that are in the process of developing major tourism, residential and commercial projects.

Install, the Middle East's unique showcase of cutting edge installation and integration technologies for residential and commercial projects is already, after its launch at PALME 2005, has already built a reputation as the vital showcase for the industry. Key industry decision makers involved in the design and build of the region's major projects and initiatives visit the exhibition to meet major international manufacturers, regional suppliers, installers and integrators from the professional audio visual project installation industry.

Following the outstanding success of the inaugural Install, which featured 179 exhibitors from 23 countries, the 2006 event has been further expanded by organisers IIR Middle East, with the wholehearted and enthusiastic support of many of the leading regional and international industry players, who found at Install 2005 to be a great benefit to their businesses.

Specifically designed as a dedicated, focused networking forum that showcases the very latest advances in commercial and residential technology, it is the platform from which manufacturers and suppliers can make face-to-face contact with the key regional decision-makers involved in the construction of the region's major projects.

As Vincent Philippo of UAE based Creston, one of the leading players in the MENA market says, Install has real strategic value. "It's a great event for us - one that completely meets our expectations as a professional venue to meet AV installation companies, consultants, architects and other decision makers from all over the Middle East. We are already looking forward to the 2006 exhibition, where we will show our Control and Automation Solutions for residential and commercial applications."

Install 2006 will highlight a comprehensive range of cutting-edge trends and developments for residential and commercial property. Home automation systems, including web-enabled, touchpanel, lighting, HVAC, blind and curtain controls, security, remote monitoring, integrated AV distribution and control, structured wiring and cabling, multi-room audio and home theatre will all be on display. Another new innovation at Install 2006 will be the Architectural Lighting & Interior Illumination zone, which will provide an exclusive environment for suppliers and manufacturers of interior and exterior lighting and illumination devices to present their products and services to the region's key players.

"The highly positive exhibitor feedback on Install 2005 was great news for us, particularly having made such great efforts to create an event that would attract an audience of high quality visitors with real purchasing power - it was very satisfying to know that exhibitors thought that we had achieved our objectives" said Darren Brechin, Project Director, PALME. "It was also significant that visitors found Install of great benefit - not only did 87% find new products that were of interest to them, and 61% met potential new suppliers, but importantly, 95% said that they would recommend visiting Install to their colleagues."

International exhibitors were also full of praise for the quality of the event - "We exhibit at many trade shows around the world every year, and while Install may not be the biggest in terms of the number of attendees, we found the focus and quality of both to be excellent. In fact, thanks to the amount of orders written on the booth, Install gave us the best percentage return on investment of any trade show we have ever done in 12 years of exhibiting." said Rob Robinson of UK-based Stardraw.com, while Paul Gregory of Focus Lighting from the USA said; "Install is a fantastic combination of design and technology - all the special tools that allow a designer to create wonderful interiors and to accent and highlight architecture are here. It's a great show for those people designing retail and speciality architectural spaces."

Aware of the rapidly evolving nature of installation and systems integration technology, IIR has made a series of seminars and master classes an integral part of Install - from basic and intermediate to advanced. "These sessions, delivered by renowned experts from the global industry leaders, have been specifically designed to help regional industry players keep up to date with the very latest developments and innovations in integration and installation technologies and applications - this is a part of our long term commitment to the industry throughout the region" added Brechin.

Organised by IIR Exhibitions Middle East, Install 2006 is part of PALME, the Middle East's premier professional sound, light, music, audio visual and systems integration exhibition, and takes place at Dubai International Exhibition Centre from April 23-25, 2006.