Dubai Woodshow 2008, the largest wood and wood machinery exhibition in the Middle East, successfully concluded its three-day run.

Exhibitors from more than 150 companies and 25 countries closed contracts worth over $150 million, reflecting a 200 per cent growth over last year’s event, said an official spokesman.

Furthermore, the average value of business generated within the show has increased as a result of the increased number of serious buyers, which accounted for 80 percent of the 5,000 trade visitors.

In recognition of the overwhelming response, Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions (SME), organisers of the event, have announced a 100 per cent increase in exhibition space for next year’s event, with the majority of the exhibitors confirming their presence at the 2009 edition of the show.

“The success of Dubai Woodshow 2008 has further reinforced its position as the definitive event for the wood and woodworking industry in the region through the wide range of products, technologies and brands, which were showcased by the local and international participants,” said managing director, SME, Dawood Al Shezawi.

Among the many successful deals arising from the event was that of Canadian exhibitor SPF Precut Lumber. The company has closed its participation by securing contracts collectively amounting to $25 million, one of which involved a $20 million deal to deliver Canadian SPF, S4S lumber and cut-to-size pallet-stock to Europe and Middle-East.

Marking its third consecutive participation was UAE-based manufacturer Alomi Real Wood Flooring, which managed to acquire a $750,000 contract on the first day of the show.

The company gathered significant interest for its new Solid Grade A Teak Decking, which was offered at a promotional show price, to a Saudi-based contracting company that ordered a bulk of this product for a construction project in Qatar.

In addition to regional customers, the company also successfully marketed its range of British-made wood flooring products to clients from Africa and India.

In addition to the companies, which have exhibited under the national pavilions, other exhibitors have also expressed their contentment of the results of their presence at the show.

Dubai Woodshow 2008 witnessed its stronger visitor influx to date, recording the attendance of 5,000 individuals, from wood and wood machinery buyers to investors and woodworking enthusiasts, marking a 35 per cent increase compared to the 2007 event.

Prompted by the outstanding achievements and new records set by the 2008 show, Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions has revealed that it has more ambitious goals for the Dubai Woodshow 2009, which is set to run from April 21 to 23, 2009. – TradeArabia News Service