Gardens and landscaping trade show grows by 75 per cent

In its third year, the show is scheduled to take place at Dubai's World Trade Centre from 15-17 May and promises to bring to the ever expanding industry the latest trends and supplies from around the region and the world.

Four months to go and the show has already attracted 75 International exhibitors from 18 countries. "In all, we are expecting over 120 exhibitors and more than 18,000 visitors at our show," explained Christopher Hudson, Exhibitions Director, Epoc Messe Frankfurt. "Landscape architects, hotels, interior and exterior designers, property management companies, construction companies, marinas and golf course developers, specialist retailers and distributors and agents are all expected to visit the show."

The popularity of the show is a bi-product of a number of positive factors. Firstly an abundance of desalinated water quenching the new thirst for all things green - from private lawns to 18 hole championship golf courses - and secondly the rapid growth in the building industry. Hand in trowel with this is the requirement for more landscaped areas around offices, hotels, apartments, towns, leisure facilities and domestic gardens. Basically, the de-desertification of a once barren land is outstanding.

If green is good then green backs are even better. The value of the construction market in the UAE alone is conservatively estimated at around $187 Billion - add this to the other lucrative markets around the region, and the opportunity to cultivate more than a seasonal trade is clearly immense.

"The regional population spends approximately 60% of their leisure time outdoors," explained Mr Hudson. "With all the hotel and residential developments mushrooming in the region, developers and buyers are paying particular attention to their surrounding environment and spending a lot of money and effort into landscaping."

Garden Landscaping and Outdoor Living is a Dubai based exhibition with a market reach of the wider Gulf area, India, Russia and Europe. Although it is a local exhibition it has the wealth and benefit of Messe Frankfurt's world wide organisation.

The Show includes products for a complete landscaping solution ranging from maintenance products to furniture, pools, garden machinery, tools and sheds, furniture, ornaments, water features and pond accessories, fertilizers, plants & seeds, pest control products, irrigation systems, barbecues & barbecue products and much more.

New product launches at the show will include brand new irrigation systems from Europe and the Middle East with the latest in sprinkler and hydrations mechanics. Other new products include the 2005 models of lawn mowers and turf care machinery as well as Golfing and leisure vehicles.

"The show will include 'made to measure' marble garden features from Asia in high quality and "seasoned" sandstone; innovative pool designs and construction and the latest water retention products - perfect for the region's hot climate," added Mr Hudson.

Another advantage of attending is the fact that four other major buildings trades exhibitions run in parallel including ISH Kitchens & Bathrooms Dubai; Lightstyle Gulf Light, Hometech and Hardware and Tools. All are tipped to attract over 18,000 visitors from around the region, the Sub Continent and Russia. Landscape architects, interior & exterior designers, construction companies, marinas & golf courses, specialist retailers, distributors and agents are all expected to attend the show.

Exhibitors at this years show will include Fiskars along with their agents Al Fajer who will be showing their world renowned range of garden tools. Fiskars manufacture a full range of tools for the garden from forks and spades to secateurs and rakes.

"Exhibitors will be able to see the power and strength of their cutting tools demonstrated live on the Al Fajer stand during the show," said Mr Hudson.

Helo from Germany is a long established producer of bird feeders and nesting boxes, the perfect way to attract wildlife to residential areas; while Al Banna marble a renowned name in the design, manufacturing and supply and fixing of marble tiles, decorative marble and stone items will be displaying marble fountains, columns, balustrades, handrails and table bases to name a few.

"Of great interest to landscape designers will be the selection of plants which can be adapted to the region's climate brought in from Italy by Le Barbare," explained Mr Hudson. "From Saudi Arabia, we will see the Sultan Garden Center offering a variety of indoor & outdoor plants, garden tools, irrigation equipment, pottery from around the world, fresh flower arrangements, artificial plants and flowers, fountains, garden furniture and stone ornaments."

Zimplast from Zimbabwe will be doing live demonstrations of stone sculptures. "Visitors will be able to witness masterpieces being sculpted into shape," said Mr Hudson.
Also for the first time in the Middle East Smiemans from the Netherlands will be displaying a variety of Glass Houses for plants and nurseries.

The show will also include National Pavilions from Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Turkey, Vietnam, China, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Canada and the UK.