Interiors UAE 2009 closed Wednesday announcing record visitor numbers.
Inaugurated by H.E Mohammed Omar Abdullah, Under Secretary of the Economic Department, the four day show received more than 3,500 visitors, highlighting the Middle East’s burgeoning interiors market.
The exhibition provided an ideal platform to accentuate local flair, with Middle Eastern companies and designers such as Alpha Crystal, Alomi, and Bost Trading, showcasing creative products and designs.
The Decorex International pavilion made its debut this year bringing with it names such as Cole and Son, Gingerlilly, Andrew Martin, and Bery Designs, all of whom wowed visitors with their inspiring stands. Luxury Cushions revealed their attempt for the largest cushion in the world, marking the launch of their new collection. The cushion will hopefully secure them a Guinness World Record, with high profile witnesses attending the event to certify the cushion last Tuesday.
An impressive line up of speakers facilitated the conferences that ran alongside the exhibition, including Fariborz Hatam from Adeas, Hazem El Khatib from Design Design and Karen Howes of Taylor Howes. The seminars provided visitors with insight into future trends and covered topics such as: Sustainable life, Culture connect: the art & craft of preserving heritage in modern times, Metamorphosis.......a new era to a contemporary Mosque, and The world of international interior design.
Global Color Research returned to this years show with an exciting interactive feature. A colour workshop took place on their stand on Monday 30th March which saw some of the Middle East’s key industry personnel create two unique colour palettes for the 2011 market.
“We are very pleased with the show, this is our first time here and we have seen some really good quality visitors. In a time of crisis you have to look at the cash rich cities and Abu Dhabi fits that bill at the moment. We will be back next year” Daniele Furlan, Air Nova
“Sunday and Monday were really successful days for us, we have seen a good quality of visitor coming through the doors and feel that Abu Dhabi is a great city to be in. This is our first time in the region and we hope to be back next year.” Thomas Lee, Poggenpohl (Kitchens & Beyond)
Commenting on the success of Interiors UAE 2009, Cathy Oates, exhibition director, UBM Live said: “Interiors UAE 2009 has surpassed our expectations. Last year we received a very positive response from exhibitors and visitors alike and from the turn out we’ve received this year we are confident that this success will continue. The Middle East is increasingly becoming a key market, with much ingenuity, originality, and creativeness emerging.
“We will be working hard to make sure next years event is even more successful, with so much construction still taking place we believe we have the perfect platform for new and established designers to enter into this flourishing market. We are confident that we will return with an even more spectacular exhibition at Interiors UAE 2010!”
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