Index, the Mid East’s premier event for the interior design industry, is set to welcome 35,000 buyers and specifiers as 2,000 exhibitors from 56 countries reaffirm Dubai as the regional ‘design capital.’
The largest interiors event in the Middle East, Index 2008 takes place from December 3 to 7 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, said the organisers dmg World Media.
“Dubai is widely recognised as the design capital of the region. That fact that this year’s event will once again be completely sold out underscores that,” said Kim Willis, exhibition director, Index 2008.
With burgeoning hospitality, commercial and residential property markets throughout the region and beyond, industry professionals visiting Index will receive a complete overview of the best that the design and interiors world has to offer, he added.
Last year, Index occupied all available space at the Dubai venue, covering 35,732 sq m of exhibition space. Nearly 1,700 companies from 56 countries participated including 35 major country pavilions.
’Visitor records tumbled when 32,755 buyers and specifiers attended the show. As a result, exhibitors have been clamouring for floor space once again ahead of this year’s design extravaganza,’ he noted.
Everything from bizarre to bespoke, traditional to trendy, classical to cutting edge design will be displayed for residential, contract and public furniture, flooring and wall coverings, lighting and art, accessories and window products, textiles, ceramics, kitchen and bathroom furniture, interior design services and furniture production.
“The interiors industry is in confident mood throughout the region, buoyed by the extraordinary levels of real estate development not just in the UAE but also in Saudi and Kuwait as well as further afield in the Levant and North Africa. This does not include the Indian subcontinent which is only two hours flight away,” pointed out Willis.
The geographical spread of projects will be well represented by designers, architects and specifiers, distributors and buyers, throughout the Arabian Gulf, the wider Middle East, the subcontinent, Asian and Africa.
“Interiors are the final arc in the development cycle, after investors, architects and builders. So I doubt we have seen the peak as yet with growth prospects for interiors assured for many years to come,” said Willis.
In an exclusive arrangement and regional first, Index 2008 will be displaying the best of product design from the red dot Museum in Essen, Germany.
All over the world, the distinctive red dot on a product signifies high quality, outstanding design, functionality and aesthetics. Designs are selected through the red dot design award competition in the fields of product design, communication design and design concepts.
Another highlight this year will include the Index Design Forum 2008 which provides a proactive opportunity for networking with leading design professionals from the region and across the globe.
Expert speakers will cover topics such as sustainability, colour trend forecasting and mentoring young design talent, Willis added.-TradeArabia News Service