DUBAI– INDEX International Design Exhibition and workspace at INDEX were officially inaugurated today(May 19th) by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and by H.E. Humaid Mohammad Al Qutami at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). The two trade exhibitions together create the most comprehensive, largest and longest-running event for the residential and commercial interior design industry across the MENA region.
Taking place from 19-22 May and organised by dmg events, INDEX 2014 and workspace at INDEX will run simultaneously until the end of the week. Spread over a total of 48,400 square metres of floor space from Halls 1 to 8 and Sheikh Saeed Halls 2 and 3 of the DWTC, the list of exhibitors attending this year covers 700 companies from 44 different countries for INDEX and 120 exhibitors from 21 countries for workspace at INDEX.
Expressing her gratitude to the Dubai Government Frederique Maurell, Group Event Director for INDEX and workspace at INDEX, said: “We are honoured to have H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and by H.E. Humaid Mohammad Al Qutami inaugurating our exhibitions today, it’s a symbol of the on-going support that the Dubai government has been giving to the shows. We also would like to congratulate Dubai on the win of the bid to host EXPO 2020 which we are confident will give an incredible boost to the construction industry ultimately creating opportunities for the fit out and interiors markets.”
Celebrating their 24th and 13th editions, INDEX and workspace at INDEX – formerly known as The Office Exhibition – have established themselves as the biggest gathering for architects, designers, product specifiers, retailers and a design innovation hungry public not only from the Middle East and Africa but also from India, Pakistan, Europe and the United States.
“The two shows have been growing over the editions and we are proud to announce that the event has 15 per cent more floor space compared to the 2013 edition” added Frederique Maurell. “We have seen an increase in interest from both visitors and exhibitors with new countries such as Algeria, Belarus, Hungary and Lithuania represented at the show for the first time”.
The Design Talks, the free-to-attend seminars and workshop held by international industry experts, kicked off today with two distinct programmes; the programme taking place at INDEX Hall 1 covers architecture, interior design, project management, hospitality design and retailing whereas the workspace at INDEX programme in Sheikh Saeed Hall 2, focuses on commercial design, education design, healthcare design, project management, and general business management for architecture and design firms.
The programme of the INDEX Design Talks for tomorrow, Tuesday 20th May, features a line-up of inspiring sessions including “Trends for the Interiors 2015/2016” by trend researcher Milou Ket; “Creating a Sizzling Sales Success for Business” by Kate Hardcastle, Founding Partner of IWP and “In the Lap of Luxury” by Charles Leon, Director of Charles Leon Associates. At 12:45pm there will also be a panel discussion “The Creative Minds” organized by Association of Professional Interior Designer.
Workspace at INDEX Design Talks will start at 11:30am with a session titled “The Dynamic Office” led by George Kahler, Design Director at DWP; other seminar topics tomorrow include “Ergonomics and Interior Design” by Dr. Era Podder, Consultant Ergonomist & Trainer Ergoera at Ergonomics Consultancy Services; and “Changes in the modern workplace driven by sustainability” by Pantelis Kouzis, General Manager – International Operations EKA Building Systems LLC.
INDEX 2014 and workspace at INDEX are open to industry professionals and trade visitors every day until Thursday 22nd May, from 11am to 7pm for trade with late night opening on Wednesday 21st until 9pm.