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Dubai
, UAE - November 23, 2003:
Cityscape, the international commercial architecture, property investment and development industry exhibition and conference, will move to the Dubai World Trade Centre next year as it triples in size.
The event, launched only two years ago, has outgrown its previous hotel venues and 50% of next year’s available space has already been reserved.
”The rapid pace of Cityscape’s growth is evidence that the event was long overdue for a market where the architecture, property investment and development industries are surging ahead,” said Neil Hickman, Project Manager – Cityscape 2004.
Cityscape 2003, which was held at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai in October attracted 345 delegates to its conference – double the last year’s registration. Some 1,800 industry professionals visited the adjoining exhibition – triple the 2002 turnout.
”One of the great things about the event was that delegates and visitors came from a wide geographic area, from the Far East, the USA, Europe and Australia as well as the Middle East. This suggests that Dubai, and Cityscape, have become the destinations of choice for those looking to invest in the GCC, which is now one of the most buoyant property markets in the world,” said Hickman.
”Cityscape 2003 was a platform where developers and investors were signing million dollar agreements and then sourcing architectural design and construction all in the same day. To say the event achieved what it set out to do is an understatement.”
A snap survey of exhibitors showed most had met potential investors at the show and were looking to consolidate the enquiries into future business. In the case of one UK exhibitor – Lynton Property Investment Consultants – hopes were high of a multi-million dollar order book following the show.
”We expect to have concluded transactions of over US $10 million as a result of this event,” said Lynton’s Client Manager Middle East, Steve Williamson.
Post-show follow-up work was actively being pursued.
”We made contact with many potential clients over the three days of Cityscape and hope to capitalize on them after the show,” said Reza Niknejad, Project Manager, Turner Construction International.
Saudi Arabian developers were out in force at the event and both the Kingdom’s Aqar Holdings and Amoudia Real Estate Development said the event had been of huge value in raising their profiles. ”All professionals in the development industry should be here,” said Khalid Aljarallah, General Manager, Corporate Communications, Aqar Holdings.
Amoudia’s Construction Manager, Mowafaq Dawood supported Cityscape’s worth as the leading industry networking forum.
”It was a great event, full of real opportunities to meet and exchange views and to explore future trends in the regional industry,” he said.
For many visitors, Cityscape provided an overview of the property investment opportunities available.
”I came to find out about the latest real estate developments,” said Fareed El Mainam, General Manager, Red Brick Factory, Saudi Arabia. ”I have met with several major regional developers.”
For one Australian visitor, the long trip from down under, was judged worthwhile.
”This was an exceptionally good forum for me to meet with a lot of construction industry and architectural professionals. The organizers did a good job in bringing in some of the top names in the architectural field,” said Dr. Max de Salis, Senior Acoustic Consultant, VIPAC Engineers and Scientists, Australia.
For 2004, IIR Exhibitions and Conferences, which organizes Cityscape, is targeting some of the biggest names in the global architectural field as speakers.
”It is our intention to clearly stamp Cityscape as an international event and believe that with the growth and liberalization now impacting the Middle East’s real estate sector, the event will continue to develop a pace,” said Hickman.
The Dubai Development and Investment Authority, which has backed Cityscape since its launch, is also supporting the 2004 event, which will be held from November 29-December 1.
At the end of Cityscape 2003 – some exhibitors had already turned their attention to next year’s event.
”Cityscape 2003 surpassed our most optimistic expectations in providing the premiere forum in the Middle East for the promotion of our portfolio of services,” said Tim Askew, Managing Director, Atkins Middle East, UK & Dubai. ”We are already planning for Cityscape 2004, safe in the knowledge that this prestigious event will be even bigger and better.”
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