Second edition of Dubai Woodshow to be held in February 2007

The second edition of the highly specialised exhibition will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from February 27 to March 1, 2007, Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, organisers of Dubai International Wood and Wood Machinery Show, has announced.

The inaugural Dubai Woodshow 2006 had proved to be an overwhelming success, drawing participation from 75 regional and international firms from 15 countries. The event promises to triple the number of regional and international exhibitors in its second year, with nearly 90 per cent of last year's participants confirming their presence next year and several discerning regional and international firms expressing keen interest to debut at the show. Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions has announced that they are doubling the exhibition space this year to occupy two halls.

"Dubai Woodshow 2006 has had a phenomenal opening outing, and the overwhelming response from exhibitors and visitors alike has encouraged us to hold the event on a much bigger scale next year,"

said Dawood Al Shezawi, Managing Director of Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions. "For any show to achieve 100 per cent growth in just its second year is an exceptional feat, and with a stronger exhibitor line-up and larger exhibition space, Dubai Woodshow is all geared to make a quantum leap next year. We thank all participants for their contribution to the success of Dubai Woodshow 2006, and we look forward to renewing our association with them next year as well as to welcoming new participants keen to tap the show's potential."

Dubai Woodshow is the only dedicated wood and wood machinery exhibition in the Middle East. The exhibition, which is supported by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) and Czech Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers Association (CWMMA), provides an excellent platform for regional and international companies to showcase their latest wood machinery and woodworking products to business prospects and build new strategic relationships with buyers, traders and investors. The first-of-its-kind show made its debut in April 2006 against a backdrop of heightened demand for wood and woodworking products in the Middle East, mainly due to sharp increase in construction activities across the region. In the UAE, for instance, wood imports grew 34 per cent in 2005 to touch AED 5.2 billion.

"Being an industry focused event, the Dubai Wood show is well positioned to provide the regional buyers with an excellent avenue for sourcing their lumber and other related requirements" said Sanam Shahani, Trade Commissioner, Canadian Consulate, Dubai. "The inaugural edition last year was well attended and provided a much-needed networking platform to the many new-to-market suppliers looking to venture into the UAE and neighboring markets. With mega construction developments currently underway and since buying patterns are similar across the region, the long-term potential in this sector was evident, during the course of the three day event".

Dubai Woodshow 2007 will bring together manufacturers, traders, suppliers and distributors of plywood, MDF, veneer, laminates, parquet, paper products, treatment products, and wood processing & woodworking machinery. The event will also be attended by timber merchants, interior designers, furniture manufacturers, carpenters, architects, engineers, wholesale dealers, retailers, building material manufacturers and construction suppliers.

"We are positioning Dubai Woodshow as the definitive exhibition for the wood and wood machinery industry, featuring products and services from every conceivable segment within this high-growth sector. As well as facilitating new business relations, the show affords exhibitors an opportunity to expand market awareness and advance other strategic business objectives," Al Shezawi said.

Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, the organisers of Dubai Woodshow 2007, is one of the leading exhibition and conference organisers in the Middle East. The high-profile exhibitions organised by Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions include the International Property Show.