Sign & Graphic Imaging Middle East, after its recent three-day run at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC), is set to expand further next year with the inclusion of a dedicated arena for the fast- growing screen printing, digital imaging and colour separation industries.
In addition, the 2003 showing, which will be held at the DIEC from January 20 to 22, 2003, and which will span three halls at the DIEC for the first time, will feature a sector-specific pre-press area as well as an expanded 'Global Trends in Signage and Digital Imaging' conference, organisers International Expo-Consults (IEC) said. The live demonstration area for sign making, laser technology, adhesives and graphics applications will also be enlarged.
"The Middle East's outdoor and indoor advertising sectors are constantly evolving and we want the show to reflect the accelerating pace of change," said Mohammed Falaknaz, IEC vice chairman.
Also on the cards for 2003 is an Indian pavilion for companies from the Indian Printing, Packaging and Allied Manufacturers Association seeking to benefit from predicted 15 to 20 per cent growth in the Middle East signage sector, and official show participation by Japan's All Japan Neon-Sign Association that has 600 members.
Sign & Graphic Imaging 2002, which occupied 3,200 sq m of space Ñ double the size of the previous year's event Ñ attracted 4,150 visitors - a 22.5 per cent increase on the 2001 showing.
This year's Sign & Graphic Imaging, saw a 17 per cent increase in the number of countries represented by visitors, compared with 2001. Exhibitors came from 25 countries, from the USA, Europe, the Middle and Far East, Africa and the Sub continent. The exhibition was supported by the Advertising Section at Dubai Municipality, which co-organised the Middle East's first international conference devoted to the signage industry at the show. The section also sponsored the best stand award won by Emirates Neon.
Among the innovations at Sign and Graphic Imaging 2002 was the introduction of a groundbreaking on-line CD catalogue aimed at creating a network between the organisers, exhibitors and visitors.
Meanwhile, new products introduced at the show included Greytag's digital photography system, Prismaflex's state-of-the-art outdoor signage system and Graphityp's environmentally friendly PVC-free sign making film. Others making their regional debut were an all-weather vinyl film from the UK, Frontlit and Backlit materials from Austria, cost-saving inks from the US and wide format digital printers from Korea. Other firsts were 3M's floor graphics and a display of vehicle graphics.
There was all-round praise for the business atmosphere at the show that attracted more than 400 brands, of which nearly two-thirds were first-time participants.
US digital printing systems giant Vutek, which is planning to open a regional office within the GCC this year, has pledged to return in 2003.
"We had over 300 visitors to our booth. If the serious inquiries we received are turned into firm orders, at the same rate as last year, it means we did over $12 million of business at the show, compared with $7.5 million in 2001," said Vutek sales and marketing manager for the Middle East Abdallah Ghalayini .
First time exhibitors UAE-based Emirates Neon, which won the award for the show's best stand, used the event to announce it plans to invest Dhs 10 million in a new division dedicated to electronic street screens. The company expects turnover to increase by 20 per cent this year, powered by demand for outdoor signage.
And another first-time exhibitor Blaze Technologies, a Belgian high-tech manufacturer of digital superwide printing equipment, reported substantial on-site sales worth more than $1 million.
UAE-based Colour Byte, agent for graphic industry printing machines, reported that it signed a new agency deal for the GCC with Germany's Flexicam for machines.
Oscar OH, marketing manager of Korea's AP Electronic Company, manufacturers of LED display boards, said the show acted as a forum for the Middle East's advertising market.
