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PALME 2005 Ready for Centre Stage

Now in its third year, PALME - the Middle East’s premier professional sound, light, music, audio visual and systems integration exhibition – has firmly established itself as a must attend event on the industry trade show calendar.

Internationally acknowledged as the key forum for the industry in the Middle East, the event is supported by PLASA and other major industry associations such as APIAS (Italy), Secarty’s (Spain) and ILDA (US). PALME has rapidly grown into a unique, comprehensive showcase, featuring major international manufacturers, key regional suppliers, installers and integrators from the professional entertainment and project installation industries.

This year’s event, already a sell-out, is set to build on the outstanding success of PALME 2004, which attracted 30% more exhibitors than the 2003 event, 134 companies from 25 countries, from as far away as the US, Australia, Korea and Belgium, participating. This exceptional growth is the result of the high quality of the event, which has proved a great success for exhibitors. This year sees a 100% increase in occupied floor space, with over 400 companies represented.

A highly focused B2B event, PALME is dedicated to putting key regional decision makers in contact with the world’s leading manufactures and suppliers. Clear evidence of this continuing commitment is the launch of three brand new vertical arenas at PALME 2005.

"Install, Event 360 & MUSAC - the three new sectors of PALME are the result of extensive industry research” said Darren Brechin, project director, PALME. “It was clear from our in-depth discussions with exhibitors, visitors and industry associations that, given the highly buoyant nature and rapidly growing sophistication of the regional market, there was a real demand for additional dedicated events that would complement the core concept of PALME.”

The three new sectors that have been integrated into PALME 2005 further enhance the focus of the event, providing an unrivalled platform for companies looking to maximise their share of the business opportunities throughout the MENA region. With the highly lucrative Middle East sound and lighting sector alone estimated to be worth $2 billion a year within five years, major industry players are choosing PALME as the launch platform for their new products and innovations – over 100 regional launches are expected to take place at PALME 2005.

INSTALL, a dedicated business arena for the AV installation sector will highlight the latest technological trends and developments for residential and commercial property. Cutting edge home automation systems, including web-enabled, touchpanel, lighting, HVAC and blind and curtain controls, security, remote monitoring, integrated AV distribution and control, structured wiring and cabling, multi-room audio and home theatre will all be on display. A full programme of industry seminars and product training sessions, designed to help regional industry players keep abreast of the latest installation and integration technologies, will also be a main feature.

“The boom in construction throughout the region continues apace, particularly in terms of hotel development. Billion dollar projects are being announced virtually on a daily basis, so it’s a tremendous period for the industry, and there is massive demand for the products and services displayed at PALME,” concluded Brechin. “In just the last few weeks, It has been estimated that the UAE real estate sector is set to grow to $50 billion by 2010, and Qatar launched a $20 billion tourism project, so the business potential is mind boggling.”

In line with the phenomenal growth that the Middle East region is currently experiencing in the construction sector and the unparalleled escalation in terms of major new projects and developments, the residential installation and integration technologies industry, as a key method for installers, specifiers and architects to give their projects a real point of difference, is an area of incredible growth.

Event 360 is another newcomer to PALME that reflects the buoyancy of the entertainment and event sectors. A solution provider for the events and event management industries, it will showcase the latest product and service solutions available in the staging of live events from small corporate functions to huge sporting events.

"Event 360 is for production companies, rather than being purely about products” said Brechin. “It is essential for anyone who is involved in the staging of events - concerts, festivals, conferences, weddings, sporting events, etc.”

With the Middle East now a serious destination for tourism and entertainment and hosting global events such as the FIFA Youth World Cup, Formula 1, Asian Games, World Bank/IMF Symposium and the Dubai World Cup as well as thousands of smaller scale events such as rock concerts and weddings, there is an ever increasing demand for companies who provide professional, high quality services and solutions for events and event management.

Major events would never get off the ground without professional contractors and service providers who can provide the production and equipment solutions that are essential to make them happen. Event 360 is a unique opportunity for everyone connected with the industry to meet the leading international manufacturers and suppliers under one roof, with everything from temporary structures to laser shows, conferencing systems to production capabilities on display.

MUSAC will be dedicated to musical instruments and accessories, ranging from the latest in electric guitars and keyboards to the most colourful straps and bags.

“With the valued support of VV & Sons, Peavey, Zak Electronics and Korg, the inaugural Musac will deliver a dedicated, specialist and unique regional forum which will showcase instruments and accessories from the world’s leading manufacturers and regional distributors under one roof,” said Brechin. “MUSAC gives the region its own bespoke event, one that we are confident will take its place on the global circuit – it will give visitors the chance to see and hear, first-hand, the best that the industry has to offer.”

Following on the success of the inaugural show in 2003, PALME 2004 was an outstanding success, attracting 3,275 trade professionals from across the region, an increase of over 45% on 2003 figures. “One of the main reasons for PALME’s huge success is that we always listen to our exhibitors and visitors and develop the event in line with international trends, the requirements of the region and the objectives and requirements of the industry in general," added Brechin.

Visiting buyers, specifiers and decision makers involved in the purchase, specification or rental of professional sound, lighting, music and audio visual technologies for the entertainment and installation sectors will be able to see the latest the industry has to offer - all on their very own doorstep.

A further boost for the industry is that the Gulf is also firmly on the map for large scale, high profile concerts. Roger Waters, Elton John, Maria Carey, Alicia Keys, Bryan Ferry and Mark Knopfler are just some of the stars to have performed in the Gulf recently. High profile international artists such as these clearly have demanding professional sound and light requirements.

Visitor statistics from the first two shows clearly showed that decision makers, specifiers and purchasers of professional audio, lighting, audio visual and systems integration solutions, equipment and design applications for all industry sectors (from hotels to places of worship), found that visiting PALME was highly beneficial, as it allows them to see the latest technological advancements in professional entertainment and design disciplines and learn how they can use these to positively affect their businesses.

Among the many special attractions at PALME 2005 is the highly popular DJ of the Year Competition (supported by major industry names including Sennheiser, Stanton, and Martin Audio). This is now an annual institution in the Middle East DJ and Club scene - come along to see some of the region’s hottest DJ’s battle it out on the industry’s hottest equipment.

There will also be fantastic daily laser shows, featuring state-of-the-art laser animation technology by Lobo Electronics, the world's leading laser specialists. Install at PALME 2005 will feature the innovative Omnix Smart Home, giving visitors the opportunity to see the latest in audio visual installation technologies in-situ, with the chance to experience them in a “hands on” situation.

To add further value to the event, PALME will also feature a series of master classes and industry seminars that are specifically designed to help the regional industry keep up to speed with the latest products, services and solutions available – held over the three days of the event, these will be hosted by some of the world’s leading experts.

Organised by IIR Middle East, PALME 2005 takes place between April 24 and 26 at Dubai’s state-of-the-art International Exhibition Centre.

http://www.palmeonline.com

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PALME 2005 Ready for Centre Stage

16th March 2005

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