Now that Dubai won the vote to host World Expo 2020 everything looks different for UAE and that includes the 17th edition of Sign and Graphic Imaging Middle East to be held from 7 to 9 January 2014 at Dubai World Trade Center.
There is no doubt the World Expo 2020 will provide a major boost to the advertising and signage industry in the region. That’s why SGI is a must see and a must attend event during 2014. All the top brands including HP, Epson, Fujifilm, Canon, Dilli, Mimaki and others already signed up for the event. More than 400 exhibitors from signage and digital printing industries will be showcasing their products and services.
The timing of the event is set to coincide with New Year holidays which will create some challenges for companies coming from Europe and US but everyone expects an interesting and entertaining exhibition with new product launches and announcements. ME Printer as the SGI’s official media partner will be present at the show floor to cover the event in detail.
During the 3 day event ME Printer will be launching Daily Printer, which serves as the official newsletter for the event. In order to give you a taste of what is waiting for you at SGI we have prepared this preshow report which includes an interview with Sharif Rahman, CEO of International Expo Consults, and organizer of the show followed by a roundup on what major exhibitors are unveiling during the landmark signage event. Now that Dubai won the vote to host World Expo 2020 everything looks different for UAE and that includes the 17th edition of Sign and Graphic Imaging Middle East to be held from 7 to 9 January 2014 at Dubai World Trade Center.
There is no doubt the World Expo 2020 will provide a major boost to the advertising and signage industry in the region. That’s why SGI is a must see and a must attend event during 2014. All the top brands including HP, Epson, Fujifilm, Canon, Dilli, Mimaki and others already signed up for the event. More than 400 exhibitors from signage and digital printing industries will be showcasing their products and services.
The timing of the event is set to coincide with New Year holidays which will create some challenges for companies coming from Europe and US but everyone expects an interesting and entertaining exhibition with new product launches and announcements. ME Printer as the SGI’s official media partner will be present at the show floor to cover the event in detail.
During the 3 day event ME Printer will be launching Daily Printer, which serves as the official newsletter for the event. In order to give you a taste of what is waiting for you at SGI we have prepared this preshow report which includes an interview with Sharif Rahman, CEO of International Expo Consults, and organizer of the show followed by a roundup on what major exhibitors are unveiling during the landmark signage event.
CEO Talks
The World Is Looking At Dubai
In a tét- a- tét with ME Printer Sharif Rahman, CEO of International Expo Consults, organizer of SGI talks about the 17th edition of sign and Graphic Imaging Middle East Exhibition which by far is the largest in the history of SGI Dubai and the impact of Dubai Word Expo 2020 on the industry.
What is the main difference between SGI 2014 and 2013?
Every year we see our exhibitors with highly innovative printing machines and we expect them to bring their best to this edition of the show as well. So the change that we will see during the 2014 edition of the show will be the new technology and definitely the growth in the number of exhibitors as compared to the previous years. SGI Dubai 2014 show has grown by approximately 18-20 percent as compared to the earlier edition. We are also one of the official exhibitions of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF).
Do you think the World Expo 2020 event which is yet to be held has a positive impact on the show?
Most definitely. The world is now looking at Dubai. Over 168 nations had to vote and we won the bid and it is a great feat not only for Dubai but across the region. This is the first time in 152 years history of the event that the show has come to the Middle East. This will surely have an impact on the economy and also SGI Dubai 2014 for sure. We are one of the proud Expo 2020 bid supporters.
What would be the major focus of SGI Dubai 2014 this year?
We are bringing the best players in the industry and the key pre-requisite for them was to bring world class technology to our show. SGI Dubai 2014 will preview the next generation machines that will give the customers the necessary edge to leap frog ahead in this fast paced industry.
Will SGI Dubai 2014 be the biggest edition of the show to date?
SGI Dubai 2014 aims to welcome over 400 global exhibitors from across 30 countries and expects over 10000 trade visitors from 75 countries to visit UAE. Yes this edition will be by far the largest in the history of SGI Dubai. International and regional brands have already confirmed their presence’. Global brands such as Seiko, AGFA, Canon, Fujifilm, Flex Europa and regional giants such as Signtrade International, DIGIMatrix have all confirmed their presence at the show.
What kind of side events you have planned for SGI 2014?
Yes as every year we will continue to have interactive workshops and thereby provide our customers insights in to the industry. We will have industry experts at the show. Also we will have a gala dinner event for the exhibitors after the show.
Do we see more equipment on exhibition floor?
There will be hundreds of live machines from across different categories at the show. The floor will be buzzing with several machines operating in tandem and showcasing the USP of each machine. The show will showcase state-of-the- art flex and fabric printers from major players from across the globe in addition to POP/POS and the CNC Machines.
How do you promote the show and in which countries?
We have an integrated marketing approach and we depend on all the modes of communications like advertising, public relations, newsletters, radio campaigns, online media campaigns and other modes of communications.
African visitors play an increasingly important role in success of the show, how do you approach African markets?
Yes definitely Africa is a growing market and we reach out to that audience as well. Every year we see and increased level of interest from Africa. We keep them well informed through our various channels of communications.
Why do you think the SGI show has become the benchmark event for the signage industry in the region?
There is no other show in the region that touches upon all the facets of this sector as SGI Dubai does. We bring in everything under one umbrella and it is an ideal platform for the industry.
Who are your major sponsors and do you have any plan to cooperate with an International exhibition organizer in the future?
‘DIGIMatrix Technologies’ has come on board as the gold sponsor for the 17th edition of the ‘SGI Dubai 2014’. The company has supported the show for the 3rd consecutive year. Canon is also one of our sponsors. In addition we are supported by several industry magazines from across the globe.
In your opinion what are the major drives for the development and booming of signage industry in the region?
With millions of traditional and digital signs now in operation globally, it is difficult to think of a venue type where signage cannot be found. Signage panels can be used by various industry segments iThe growth in infrastructure gives rise to other real estate requirements whether it is commercial or residential.
The other subset of the signage industry is the exponential growth of digital signage. This is a new age medium and once people understand the impact, the leap that the digital signage industry would make would be a huge one.
