Conferences and Exhibitions

The 2011 Dubai Airshow closed with $63.3bn worth of orders for aircraft and associated aviation services and products, well up on the 2009 show which closed with orders at $14bn. Phil Blizzard joins Alison Weller, MD, F&E Aerospace, organisers of the show, for a closing review of this year's event.

Gamma Aviation are a Sharjah based business aviation services provider with a 29 year heritage across the globe. At the Dubai Airshow Phil Blizzard spoke to Dave Edwards, MD, Gama Aviation about their announcements of expansion into KSA and the Far East. They also talk about the benefits of private aviation for busy executives and the fleet of aircraft they operate.

A growth rate of 23% in 2010 was significant for the Empire Aviation Group - a Dubai based business aircraft service provider. At the Dubai Air Show Phil Blizzard spoke with Steve Hartley, Executive Director, Empire Aviation Group about their growth, the type of aircraft they are affiliated with and services they offer the bizjet sector.

The 2011 Dubai Airshow started with Emirates signing a record breaking order for 50 Boeing 777 - 300ER aircraft and a stunning display by the UAE aerobatic team. Phil Blizzard reports from the show which has also attracted the latest aviation star - the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, making its Middle East debu

Quest Helicopters, a new name in aerospace, helicopter design and technology was launched at the Dubai Airshow with the mock up of a 'state of the art' aircraft. At the show Phil Blizzard spoke with Mike Creed, Commercial & Deputy Project Director, Quest Helicopters about their aims and the development of their innovative aircraft.

The 2011 Dubai Airshow got off to a flying start with Emirates Airline signing an order with Boeing for an additional 50 Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, worth approximately $18bn in list price. Phil Blizzard reports from the air show on the single largest aircraft order in dollar value in Boeing's history.

OPEC member countries will cut back on oil production once Libya is up and running says OPEC Secretary General. H.E. Abdalla El Badri at the Gulf Intelligence Energy Market Forum in Dubai. He also talks about the time frame for production and also says the country does not require investment - Phil Blizzard reports.

The organisers of the Dubai Air Show are seeing strong sales of stand space for their November event due to their participation at the Paris show. Phil Blizzard links up with Alison Weller, Director of Aerospace, Fairs & Exhibitions organisers of the Dubai Airshow for a round up of the main stories on day two of the Paris Air Show - which includes big sales for Airbus and a bio fuel flying display with a Boeing 747.

On day one at the world largest air show Qatar Airway's stole the limelight with their order for six Boeing 777-300ERs in an order valued at $1.7bn at list prices. Phil Blizzard links up with Alison Weller, Director of Aerospace, Fairs & Exhibitions organisers of the Dubai Airshow for a round up of the main activities at the Paris Air Show. These include the expected large orders for the energy saving Airbus A320neo, a look at innovative aircraft of the future and the selling of Dubai Air Show to the aviation industry.

At the Arabian World Construction Summit Khaldoon Tabari, CEO, Drake & Scull International says competition from construction companies from both China and Turkey is impacting their business in the region. At the event organized by MEED, he talks to Phil Blizzard about the growth of his company and also about the impact of regional unrest.

At MEED's Arabian World Construction Summit Ahmed Al Bader, National Industrial Strategy Consultant, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia talks to Phil Blizzard about their their vision for the development of the industrial sector as part of the diversification plans for the country. He also talks about MODOM, the Industrial Property Authority, and its role in the growth of the industrial sector.

Unrest in the region has ben a boost for hotels with-in the Emaar Hospitality Group and along with major events in the Emirates has created a strong first quarter for the group, which includes the Armani Hotel Dubai, Burj Khalifa. Amit Arora, VP, Sales & Marketing, Emaar Hospitality Group LLC talking to Phil Blizzard says the future is bright for Dubai with higher occupancy and room rates, along with the number of night-stays per visit also increasing.

Saudi Tourism is looking at developing the hospitality industry beyond the current focus of religious tourism. At the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference Phil Blizzard found out more about the plans for developing tourism with-in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for both domestic and international visitors.

Multi-Speed Recovery of the hospitality industry is particularly apt in the MENA which is entering a new era, so what is in store for the hotel investor? Phil Blizzard talks to Jonathan Worsley, Chairman, Bench Events, co-organisers of AHIC along with MEED Events ahead of 2011 edition.

Carrying 23 passengers at 250kph on a dedicated speed track the Superbus could take passengers from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in a fraction of the time, than the present daily commute. Chief designer Dr Antonia Terzi, Delft University of Technology, Holland talks to Phil Blizzard about the project of this green 'bus' which has more similarities to a high speed train.