Competition to showcase creativity and talent of local design community with winning entry being auctioned off at FoID gala event

July 19, 2011

The Association of Professional Interior Designers (APID), an organization representing professional interior designers in the Gulf region, has announced the launch of an exciting ‘Product Design’ competition open to members of the design industry and local community including individuals, groups or any design-based firms. The competition is one of the many events that will take place during the inaugural Festival of Interior Design (FoID), which will run in conjunction with INDEX International Design Exhibition 2011 from October 22 to 25, 2011 across Dubai. Deadline for the first phase of the competition, which covers the submission of scaled drawings and rationale via email, will be on September 8, 2011. Meanwhile, the deadline for the second phase, which covers the production and submission of the actual life-size product, will be on October 16, 2011. The best four products will be auctioned off at the FoID Gala Dinner on October 22, 2011, with the proceeds going to a charity (TBA). All product designers including the overall winner will also walk away with the distinction of being recognized by peers from the region’s thriving interior design industry.

The competition requires the submission of a product design that is relevant to the Interior Design industry and fits one of three interior categories, which are: innovative interior finish, interior furniture and accessories. During the judging and evaluation process, the judges will shortlist entries based on form, function and innovation. Further, contestants entering the competition are encouraged to consider the five underlying objectives of FoID during the design process which are: ‘Educate’, to increase awareness of the interior design industry within the general public and among industry professionals; ‘Celebrate’, to give homage and celebrate the significance of the industry in both traditional and modern Arab culture; ‘Encourage’, to promote and discover emerging talent in interior design; ‘Highlight’, to focus on innovation and new design trends in the industry today; and ‘Collaborate’, to promote and strengthen partnerships with similar interior design based groups and associations.

“APID is encouraging members of the local design community to put their thinking caps on, get their creative juices flowing and start coming up with a winning design concept for the first FoID product design competition,” said Farida Kamber Al Awadhi, President, APID. “The competition will allow us to tap into a cross section of designers, firms and groups and showcase their talent to the rest of the region. Winners will not only have the opportunity to have their design auctioned off but will also receive extensive exposure in design publications, the APID and FoID web portals and on social sites including Facebook and Twitter. The competition reflects APID’s aim of giving local designers the chance to demonstrate their talent and their vision alongside internationally renowned design Masters.”

As part of the first round, participants will be asked to submit a detailed drawing and the rationale behind their design concept in PDF format via email. Judges for the competition will then announce the top ten entries on September 15, 2011. The chosen ten will then be asked to produce and create an actual life-size product that will pack to a maximum size of two cubic metres, which needs to be submitted by October 16, 2011. A second round of judging will be made to choose the top four entries. Guests attending the FoID Gala Dinner will be invited to vote for the winning concept. In the event of a tie, a designated ‘reserve guest’ will be asked to vote to break the tie. Winners will be announced with the categories - Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze and auctioned off using these designations. The identity of the overall winner will be revealed at the dinner and the winner will receive a certificate, APID membership valid for one year and publicity through the support of APID, FoID, INDEX and industry publications.

“We are looking forward to the entries for the competition, which will allow us a peek at the creativity and design skills of the region’s emerging designers. Winners will not only be awarded with one year free membership to APID but will also gain the opportunity of meeting new contacts and fellow designers, allowing them more opportunities to hone and develop their skills and talents. Rest assured, APID will continue to live up to its commitment of being an association that best represents the interests of interior design professionals in the Middle East region,” concluded Farida Al Awadhi.

According to the organizers, all applicants need to be at least 18 years of age and will be required to submit a PDF version of the scaled drawings of the product design, a rendered drawing of the design and a clear concept design rationale as part of the initial submission. A registration fee of AED 250 will be charged, which can be paid online or in person. APID will then issue a code number to be used on all submitted materials for judging purposes. In addition, all collaborative entries should include the names of all contributors to the entry at the time of application. Only one entry per individual or group will be allowed.

• UAE visitors represent 35% of total pre-registered visitors at ‘Airports Expansion, Cargo and Logistics’ Conference and Exhibition
• Etihad Airways and Boeing Middle East among companies participating at event starting April 26

Erbil International Airport

Erbil, Iraq; April 22, 2011: Arabian Reach, the UAE-based company specialising in exhibitions and events management across the region, has revealed that over 1,200 visitors have already pre-registered to attend the inaugural edition of the ‘Airports Expansion, Cargo and Logistics’ Conference and Exhibition, to be held in Erbil, Iraq from the 26th to the 28th of April, 2011.

The business visitors, who are hoping to tap into the lucrative Iraqi market, will be coming from different Iraqi cities, as well as other countries across the region including the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan and Turkey. Half of the registered visitors represent companies from the aviation and airports sector, while the rest are from cargo and logistics sectors. Visitors from the UAE alone comprise 35% of the total number of pre-registered visitors.  

The company has also reported that leading companies from over 33 countries across the world will be participating at the event that will provide an ideal platform for networking and business development opportunities. Among the key participating companies at the event are Boeing Middle East, Etihad Airways, Modern Freight, Agility and Cavotec Middle East.

Raj Menon, General Manager, Arabian Reach, said: “Considering that this is the inaugural edition of the event, the response we have received so far has been truly overwhelming, and underlines the growing interest in Iraq’s aviation, cargo and logistics industries, especially with seven new airports and cargo villages being constructed. Companies and visitors who recognise the immense potential of these sectors in Iraq are keen to explore and capitalise on the available opportunities by participating in this event. Furthermore, we anticipate more visitors to register closer to the opening date on the 26th of April.”

Key speakers from Iraq and the UAE will be speaking at the conference to be held concurrently with the exhibition. Topics of discussion at the two-day conference include airports projects and expansion, cargo and logistics opportunities, new products and technologies, safety and IT issues.

Confirmed list of speakers include Dr. Khaled Al Mazroui, Chairman of Gulf Airports Services Association; Talar Faiq, Director of Erbil International Airport; Juergen Strommer, Managing Director of Cavotec Middle East; Sashi Sekhar, Founding President of Supply Chain Logistics Group and Hussam Al Haddad, General Manager of ATEIS Middle East. CEOs from major port and logistics companies from different Iraqi cities such as Sulaimaniya, Dohuk, Baghdad, Najaf and Kirkuk will also be participating at the event.

The event is being held under the patronage of the Ministry of Transport in Iraq and supported by international government bodies and trade associations, including Starlight Airlines as the presidential sponsor, Mateen Express as the gold sponsor and Makyol, a leading construction firm, as the gold sponsor.

Show to spotlight railway projects worth US$ 106 billion in UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar

Mr Khanna

Dubai, UAE, 5th April, 2011: GulfRail 2012, the region’s first of its kind exhibition and conference is participating in the 59th World Congress and Exhibition of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), which is taking place in Dubai from April 10-14.

This was announced by Dubai’s Al Fajer Information & Services, IMAG from Germany and Europoint from the Netherlands. Al Fajer said that the overall objective of GulfRail 2012 is to bring together the establishment of a reliable and regular high speed rail network connecting GCC countries.

GulfRail 2012 is participating in UITP Dubai 2011 to highlight the investment opportunities and intelligent rail systems in the GCC.

Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services said: “GulfRail 2012 will be a key regional industrial event highlighting the latest information and technologies in rail and tunnelling systems, and will serve as a strategic networking platform for industry experts from around the globe.” 

Khanna added: “The key driver of the rail industry for GCC is public-private partnerships. GCC is heading towards creating a reliable, effective and frequent high speed rail network connecting GCC countries. Investment opportunities in intelligent transport systems in the GCC are huge. Many companies outside the region regard the upcoming rail sector in the Middle East as the most lucrative opportunity to do business.”

Underscoring the importance of participating at this global event hosted by Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), Khanna added: “GulfRail 2012 is the next big event for the region after UITP Dubai 2011. It is significant to all the countries in the region. Following the Dubai Metro, rail projects in GCC have become a point of focus with multi-billion dollar investments being made by each Gulf state. A countrywide $11 billion (Dh40.4bn) railway network in the UAE with 1,500km of track will be rolled out over the next 7-8 years. Moreover, Abu Dhabi has revealed plans for a new rail network serving the city of Al-Ain in the emirate’s Eastern Region. Dubai Metro has completed its first phase with a whopping investment of US $ 6 billion, and another mass transit network with 75 km will carry 1.8 million passengers per day by 2020.”

Khanna added: “The last five years have seen the announcement of a series of transport projects by various Gulf countries, including railway projects. In order to meet the pressing regional logistics demands, the next 10-15 years will see transport projects worth $ 170 billion. Out of this, 85% will be spent by UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Precisely over $ 106 billion will be spent in Railway sector alone.”

Talking about key rail projects lined up in the region, Johan Haarhuis, Managing Director, Europoint B.V. Conference & Exhibitions said: “Abu Dhabi has joined the fray with 131 km metro rail system which is expected to partially start in 2015. In 2009, GCC transport ministers approved a feasibility study for the US$ 12 billion GCC railway. Further, on a broader perspective, the network would extend from the GCC to Jordan, Syria and Turkey. The next move would be a more extensive system linking up with systems providing access to Europe and Asia via Turkey. There are huge upcoming railway projects in Middle East.”

“The GCC’s rail sector is a rising sector. In a nutshell, the GCC network will include one rail line of 1,970 km connecting all GCC countries and Qatar via a bridge. The second line of 1,984 km will stretch between Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and end in Oman. An effective rail network will fortify the region’s position as a major global energy and trading hub.”

Haarhuis continued: “A metro light rail network is also planned in Doha. On the other side, Bahrain is planning a US$ 8 billion railway project stretching to 184 km and will include light rail trains, monorails and other transportation systems. Moreover, the Sultanate of Oman has announced plans for a national rail network to boost infrastructure.”

GulfRail 2012 will make its debut at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre early next year.

Under the Patronage of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nayhan

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 26 July 2010: Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) today (Monday, July 26, 2010) announced plans to host the industry’s first World Ports & Trade Summit in 2011 under the patronage of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nayhan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

In a show of strength from the industry, Abu Dhabi Terminals and the Arab Sea Ports Federation joined ADPC and event organisers Turret Media and Seatrade, at a press conference to pledge their support for the inaugural Summit in Abu Dhabi. Other confirmed partners include Bechtel as platinum sponsor and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority as exclusive destination partner.

Scheduled for 28-30 March 2011 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, internationally renowned economists, ports authorities, terminal operators, shipping companies, global cargo owners and investors will be brought together to study the alternative futures facing the industry; to learn about new projects; to understand the investment opportunities taking shape and to find suppliers who can make projects happen.

Tony Douglas, CEO of ADPC commented, “The World Ports & Trade Summit will deliver a vital exchange of knowledge as the ports and shipping industries look to evolve development strategies in line with economic management and recovery.”

“ADPC is extremely proud to be a key partner of this brand new event in the United Arab Emirates. As ADPC continues to make the Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone (KPIZ) a reality, the company is now taking centre stage in the diversification of Abu Dhabi’s economy. KPIZ is set to become a major trade and business hub for the Middle East and we look forward to sharing our plans and developing our strategies alongside industry peers and experts at the Summit.”

The UAE isn’t the only country with grand designs in place for its coastal development. Despite the global economic downturn, spending on port developments in the Middle East is still growing, and industry sources state that USD 46.5 billion worth of port development projects are now planned or under way. The market for building and expanding the region’s ports has proved to be far more resilient than the wider construction sector as Governments and investors try to look beyond the current economic conditions and towards recovery and the future infrastructure needs of the Middle East.  

Chris Fountain, Managing Director of Event Organisers Turret Media explains, “We are consulting with port authorities, terminal operators, shipping companies, investors, and they are all thirsty for knowledge as Governments work towards economic recovery.”

Chris Hayman, Chairman of Seatrade, added: “The aim for the Summit is to deliver an unrivalled information exchange and networking platform for the industry in a city spearheading the development of ports and associated industrial zones.”

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade of the UAE has already confirmed participation as a keynote speaker.

Comprising a carefully designed mix of keynote conference sessions, panel debates, training workshops and round table discussions, the Summit will also include an international exhibition and a fringe programme of networking events, association meetings, investor workshops and hosted tours of ports facilities in the UAE. The opening conference session is set to be a lively start to proceedings as award winning interviewer Tim Sebastian, Chairman of the Doha Debates and former presenter of BBC’s HARDtalk  moderates a discussion between leading economists, investors, retailers, freight forwarders and shipping lines. The panel will be tasked with debating the answers to some tough questions such as ‘what does the global macro-economic outlook mean for the region?’, ‘how will the recovery influence the pattern of trade?’ and ‘how will the major freight markets perform in 2011’?  Additional streams will look at the efficient operation of ports whilst reviewing the commercial impact of current and future legislation.

Companies being invited to exhibit include port equipment manufacturers and service suppliers, port and marine construction contractors and consultants, port authorities, terminal operators and government departments. Companies already requesting participation include Bechtel, Archirodon, Boskalis, SGS, Kone Cranes, ALE, Liebherr, Uzmar Shipbuilding, ADTA and ADBIC.

For further information and announcements visit www.worldportsandtrade.com