Why the corporate world supports DSF

DSF, now into its 11th year, has become a wonder that transcends a shopaholic's haven.

The reasons for the success that is DSF can be attributed to the visionary thinking, and the unique partnership of the Government and the private sector in the ultimate success of the event. Over the years, the active participation of the region's corporate sector has been a primary reason for the festival's continued success, and this year too corporate entities have lined up a wide array of exciting promotions and offers for all DSF shoppers.

One of the DSF patrons, Dubailand has actively supported the festival since the last year and the varied attractions that it offers to the visitor including the Global Village which will this time be even more magnified by the exciting range of promotions, offers and exciting events that shall be unveiled during the course of DSF 2006.

The Dubai World Trade Centre is also a patron sponsor of the festival for the first time, as says its General Manager Venue Management Abdulla, T Qassem, "We are delighted to be able to support DSF, which has played a key role in putting Dubai on the world tourism map. As the region's leading MICE venue, the DWTC's role in attracting business and commercial visitors to Dubai has been significant. Therefore, it is only natural that we should join hands and build common synergies in order to promote Dubai as a complete tourist destination worldwide."

Another patron sponsor, the Emirates Telecom Corporation - Etisalat - is all set to play a key role for the 10th consecutive year. Announcing this, Ghanim Al Marri, Etisalat's Deputy General Manager (Dubai region) said, "Etisalat, as the region's leading telecommunications service provider, has an important role to fulfill outside its corporate duties and responsibilities. The corporation has to reflect the social concerns and image of the country, and DSF 2006 allows it to do that."

The Al Zarooni Group of Companies has had a continued presence in the DSF events. The group, which is behind the first themed mall Mercato, is known for their signature fireworks display and animated events. Reaffirming the group's support, Mohammed Al Zarooni, Managing Director of the company said, "Being a patron of DSF means a lot to us in our role as one of the UAE's oldest business houses, and continues to be a significant milestone in our mission to partner with the Government to bring greater glory to Dubai. This year too, at DSF, we will host high calibre, interactive, entertaining and rewarding promotions that Dubai has come to expect of us."

The Legends Development Company LLC, the people behind the unique three-stage, Dh14 billion Legends of Arabia project, is the latest to join the elite list of DSF sponsors. Expressing happiness over the commencement of this relationship and the first of the three theme parks, Legends of Arabia, Fauzia Al Khanjari, General Manager of Legends Development Co LLC said, "The headquarters of Legends reflects our commitment to bring to the region innovative projects which contributes to overall economic growth and to attract long-term investments."

New on the block is the Ibn Battuta Mall which is also a key sponsor of the Dubai Shopping Festival 2006. Expressing delight over this development, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, Nakheel said that his company's association reinforced their commitment to support major events that attract regional and international tourists to the region. "DSF 2006 is more than a shopping experience, it's a celebration of the UAE's rich culture and tradition, the principles we had in mind when devising the concept for Ibn Battuta Mall. Over the years, DSF has helped position Dubai as a leading shopping and entertainment destination, and as Dubai's leading shopping destination, it is fitting that Ibn Battuta Mall is associated with such a prestigious event," he said.

Celebrating over a decade of excellence, Dubai Refreshments PSC (Pepsi) is partnering with DSF as a key sponsor for the 11th consecutive year, and shall bring a series of promotions and collaborations that reflect the spirit of DSF. Pepsi fans can look forward to the Sports Fiesta at the Global Village, which will feature football, basketball and cricket tournaments over a period of four months. More than 10,000 amateur sports fans aged 11 years and above are expected to take part in the tournaments. Joint promotions with DSF will also see Pepsi fans being offered opportunities to win amazing prizes.

Announcing the active participation in DSF 2006, Kamran Siddiqi, General Manager for Visa International Middle East said, "Visa International, the world's leading payment solutions provider, was the first global organisation to support the Dubai Shopping Festival, when this landmark event was launched in1996, and we are proud and honoured to be able to continue our association with this festival that attracts thousands of visitors to Dubai every year. This DSF, Visa will bring many exciting new offers and consumer initiatives through its member banks and outlets."

The Emirates airline has been a continuous support for the Dubai Shopping Festival, a partnership that continues on to DSF 2006. Commenting on the airline's continued support for the festival, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Emirates Executive Vice President Commercial Operations Worldwide said, "Emirates' support for the Dubai Shopping Festival reflects the airline's mission to promote Dubai worldwide as a tourist destination. As the key sponsor and official carrier of DSF 2006, Emirates is offering excellent holiday packages for visitors from around the world."

Emaar Properties has been a committed sponsor of DSF since 2001, and the festival has been a part of their mission to promote Dubai as a lifestyle destination. With its increasing portfolio of developments, expansion plans for the retail sector and commitment to lifestyle statements, DSF has been an ideal event for Emaar's involvement.

The Majid Al Futtiam Group, which developed the Mall of the Emirates and the Deira City Centre, is a key sponsor at DSF for the 11th consecutive year, and will host a wide range of exciting activities, world-class entertainment and unique prize offerings during the duration of the festival while A.A. Al Moosa, one of the premier business groups in the region with a wide variety of interests, has been part of DSF since 2005, and offers a wide range of promotions during DSF across car rental services like Thrifty and Dollar, Marlin Home Furniture and as partner in the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah and Hilton Dubai Creek.

BurJuman is often mentioned as the world's most luxurious shopping destination, and rightfully so. Speaking on the association with DSF that is into its seventh year with DSF, Eisa Adam Ibrahim, General Manager, BurJuman, said, "Our luxury fashion portfolio coupled with our soon-to-be unveiled DSF promotion and numerous world-class activities and entertainment we have planned, make BurJuman the place to be this DSF."

The Al Futtaim Group, a key sponsor of the festival for the 11th consecutive year, as has become the norm, will be offering excellent promotions and gifts during DSF 2006. Customers will be able to get amazing DSF bonanzas in its automotive, electronics and retail divisions.

The multi-faceted Habtoor Group, a key DSF sponsor, will offer visitors to the region a wide range of promotions and offers during the festival. The companies' activities range from automotives, automotive leasing, hotels and entertainment, and DSF 2006 will see exciting offers on hand from the group.

With their 10-year long association with DSF, the Al Rostamani Group is one of the strongest supporters of the festival especially with their Arabian Automobiles dealership of Nissan cars which are part of the Grand Nissan Raffle promotion. The Group considers itself as partners with DSF on the road to progress for Dubai, the premier destination for commerce, tourism and leisure.

The region's flagship wireless telecommunications company, Axiom Telecom, in its second consecutive year as key sponsor for the event, will offer UAE residents and visitors the widest range of wireless telecommunications and chances to win the latest gizmos. As Axiom CEO Faisal Al Bannai puts it, "The Dubai Shopping Festival has over the years signified world class entertainment, premier customer service and thrilling product launches. These are ingrained in the Axiom Telecom philosophy and we are pleased to be part of this success."

The Dubai Duty Free, a key DSF sponsor since 2004, is participating in a number of promotional activities, including sponsorship of special festival events and exciting promotions for customers.

The Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group, announcing its participation in DSF 2006 as a key sponsor, unveiled a twin promotional campaign, with jewellery buyers getting a chance to win several kilos of gold and spectacular prizes, with some of the winnings being linked to the purchase of the DSF souvenir, a specially minted gold coin. At least 143 kilos of gold will be raffled during the festival.

Mashreqbank PSC is staging promotions worth millions of dirhams during DSF 2006. A key sponsor since 2003, the bank promises to enhance its promotional campaigns with bigger prizes, more exciting promotions and lots of surprises.

The Paris Gallery, which extends its support to DSF for the fourth consecutive year, has today established distinctive state-of-the-art flagship stores across the Gulf, reaching an up-market target audience, opening the door to prestigious individual product groupings within each store, and shall feature a series of exciting offers and promotions for DSF 2006.

Spinneys Dubai LLC, the UAE's premier supermarket, is all set to extend its support to the festival. Since 2003, the group has been an essential part of the Festival, and during DSF 2006 the Spinneys team promises an unparalleled experience and the chain's largest promotion ever.

Emirates Bank, the only local bank to participate as a key sponsor to DSF since
inception, is today offering a wide variety of services that have allowed it to stand firmly behind Dubai's drive to be the ultimate trade, commerce and tourism destination.

The Emirates Natural Oil Company (Enoc) and its subsidiary Emirates Petroleum Production Company (Eppco), recently announced their largest DSF promotion by a fuel retailer. The Enoc and Eppco promotion will see Lexus, Nissan and Chevrolet cars being given away as prizes, with promotions being carried out in Enoc and Eppco service stations in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

Jumbo Electronics, one of the largest names in the UAE's consumer electronics, telecommunication, home appliances and retail sector with over 25 showrooms, has been apart of the DSF since its inception, and has pioneered innovative promotions during the festival. This year too, as in other years, Jumbo Electronics will partner with principals to offer new products, attractive savings and great bundle of offers to the visitors and residents.

The Dubai Shopping Festival 2006 runs between January 4 and February 4, 2006.