WoodShow Dubai 2010 to kick off with over 250 global exhibitors from more than 40 countries.

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25 Dec 2009

The ‘WoodShow Dubai’, the Middle East’s only wood industry focused exhibition, will kick off its 2010 edition, with over 250 global exhibitors from more than 40 countries set to participate during its three-day run from April 13 to 15, 2010 at the Central and East Hall of Dubai Airport Expo. The expected growth in the international exhibitor count is in line with the rising demand for hardwood lumber in the region, with import figures projected to reach an estimated USD 500 million in 2009. This increase has prompted Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, the event organiser, to expand the event’s gross area, which will cover 16,944 sq. metres and feature different halls for forestry and products, tools, equipment, finishing, timber, and outdoor furniture in 2010.

Now in its 5th edition, ‘WoodShow Dubai’ is expected to connect more companies than ever, incorporating recommendations from companies and associations present in past events to further complement the present market conditions and industry practices. As a result, instead of holding one event this year, the organiser has divided the show into two biannual editions - the ‘Wood, Wood Products & Furniture Show’ and the ‘Wood & Wood Machinery Show’. This will give more focus on wood furniture, veneer, laminates and other products, and on providing a venue where visitors can learn more about wood and meet the most highly qualified operators in the business, while the latter will showcase the latest innovations in wood machineries and the technologies being developed to increase efficiency in the manufacturing process.

“The changes we have implemented within ‘WoodShow Dubai’ underlines our strong commitment to adequately address the needs of the market for a venue where traders and professionals can learn more about wood, while driving the overall growth of the wood industry,” said Dawood Al Shezawi, Managing Director, Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions. “We have made it easier for exhibitors to connect with a more targeted audience, which in addition to the tremendous import values for hardwood lumber recorded in the MENA region, has spurred a stronger demand for participation among global participants.”

The expected growth in the demand for sustainable hardwood in the Middle East varies across the different markets and highly depends upon where environmental concerns sit on the national agenda. In the UAE, demand for sustainable building materials - including hardwoods - is likely to pick up fairly quickly in the coming years, as green building initiatives gain a real foothold in the marketplace. This growth in the UAE is also expected to be further driven by pioneering initiatives such as the MASDAR project in Abu Dhabi, which is a testament to how the UAE is setting the pace for the rest of the Gulf markets, with Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, KSA and Oman projected to follow suit in the future.

“By gathering highly qualified operators in the business and leading manufacturers from all over the world, we are giving project developers and construction companies a premier destination to find the suitable wood products that suit not only the structural requirements of their projects but the environmental standards as well. This year, we are expecting a large presence of senior management and decision makers seeking investment opportunities with professionals and corporations in the wood industry, and players who are interested in growing their business on a global scale,” concluded Al Shezawi.