The Gitex Shopper & Consumer Electronics Expo 2008 has made a series of strategic tie-ups with regional and international partners, giving the mega-event a whole new level of popularity and excitement.

The event, organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre, will be held from October 18 to 24 at the Airport Expo Dubai.

Trixee Loh, senior vice president, Exhibitions and Events Management of DWTC, said: 'We are delighted to be working with leading brands such as Etisalat and HP who will be launching new products at the Show. This confirms that Gitex Shopper is the perfect platform to unveil new products into the market and to access one of the fastest growing consumer segments in the GCC.'

Etisalat, the UAE's premier telecom service provider, will be making its Gitex Shopper debut this year and is all set to announce its arrival in style.

Besides unveiling a host of new consumer products and innovative services, Etisalat will be the main sponsor for Gitex Digital Game World, the live interactive gaming segment that promises to add a turbo-charged atmosphere to the event.

'Technology and Innovation are the two cornerstones of Etisalat's strategy of extending reach to its customers. Towards this endeavour, we are delighted to be associated with Gitex Shopper -  the largest and most exciting consumer electronics event in the region,' said Essa Al Haddad, chief marketing officer, Etisalat.

'Besides providing an opportunity to demonstrate our products, Gitex Shopper also facilitates one-on-one interaction with our customers, enabling Etisalat to create more customer-centric and customised products,' added Haddad.

Hewlett Packard has been an avid supporter of Gitex Shopper and is back as the Gold Sponsor of the event for the third year in a row.

'We have always enjoyed being part of Gitex Consumer Shopper, as it gives us an ideal platform to reach our target audience,' said Reem Al Ansari, consumer market manager of Hewlett Packard Middle East.

'The UAE market is a knowledgeable one which recognises quality products, and the support system provided by the organisers via the publicity, the facilities and the promotions have ensured that we share a very successful partner relationship with this event,' she concluded.

In addition to Etisalat and Hewlett Packard, numerous other big names have formed new associations with the event via sponsorship and promotions.

Dell will sponsor the 'Free Play' area at Gitex Digital Game World while Intel will introduce Dubai to 'Intel Extreme Masters III', a globally renowned Egame tournament with prizes worth $50,000.

The visitors are in for more windfalls besides cash and other exciting technology prizes, as Arabian Automobiles has tied up with the Gitex Mega Draw promotion to offer a Renault Safrane to the lucky winner.

With more strategic tie-ups, more prizes and more excitement than ever before, this Gitex Shopper seems all set to offer visitors an experience unlike any other.

Gitex Shopper 2008 will be held at the Central, West and East Halls in Dubai Airport Expo from 11am to 10pm from October 18 to 23 and from 3pm to 10pm on October 24.

Tickets are priced at Dh20 per person, per entry. Visitors can avoid the queues on-site by booking tickets online through Time Out Tickets.

New for this year is an expanded off-site parking is available for exhibitors and visitors this year in the Shaikh Hamdan Mosque parking lot in Garhoud located near the Airport Expo.

There will be a continuous free shuttle service between the car park and the Airport Expo from 9am – 12 midnight. In addition to this, there will be shuttle buses operating to and from major city points. - TradeArabia News Service