Event Preview: The Hotel Show 2013

The Hotel Show is back in Dubai for the 14th year and a whole host of design and supply companies are lining up to show off their latest products at the annual event. Hotelier Middle East finds out what they have in store

Now in its 14th year, the Hotel Show is one of the most important business and networking events within the hospitality, hotel and tourism industries in the Middle East.
The annual event provides a platform for suppliers, designers and hospitality companies to showcase their latest products including luxury and contemporary interiors, technology, and new equipment.

“The show is very focused on hospitality professionals and designers, and the audience is exactly who we target for our high quality lighting and lounge products. It will be our seventh year at the Hotel Show, and we look forward to seeing our existing customers as well as meeting new ones,” says Desert River owner Claudia van der Werf.

Hartmann Tressore Middle East’s general manager Reiner Kaltenbach adds: “We participate in the fair because we meet exactly our target group there, the right decision makers in the hotels, and we’ve always been very pleased with the results of the show in the past.”

The 2013 edition will feature exhibitors across five core profiles: interiors and design; operating equipment and supplies; technology and facilities management; outdoor and resort experience; and a new segment for hotels, restaurants and cafe supplies and equipment.

This year, the Hotel Show will also launch a new event called The Leisure Show, featuring the latest pools, spas, fitness and sports equipment. Together, both events cover all requirements of a hotel or leisure facility.

“The Hotel Show is an important industry event and business and networking opportunity in the region — so attendance is a must. What is more, Schletterer has recently re-located the company’s MENA headquarters to Dubai and expanded the regional team,” explains Schletterer’s regional director MENA Mohammed Ibrahim.

Ibrahim reveals the company has signed a number of contracts to develop spa concepts at upcoming properties including the Habtoor Group’s Waldorf Astoria and Damac Properties’ Burjside Boulevard in Dubai, and the Solis Hotel in Qatar’s Education City.

“There is a lot to shout about for Schletterer and with a range of successful showcases we want to inspire and attract new clients by presenting our unique and comprehensive hotel, spa, health and destination concepts, which offer the highest levels of profitability and sustainability,” he adds.

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Networking Know-how
For some, The Hotel Show provides important networking opportunities with important representatives from various hotel departments.

“The Hotel Show provides an ideal platform to interact with the decision makers from top notch hotels and new projects. It also helps to educate hotel housekeeping staff and the key people about the latest products and technological advancement in the sleep industry,” explains Sudarshan Rai, marketing manager at Dubai Furniture Manufacturing Company, which will be showcasing its mattress brands King Koil and Serta at the three-day event, which starts on September 28.

“It facilitates us to promote our mattress brands, King Koil and Serta to the hospitality industry. King Koil is the market leader in the Middle East and Serta is gaining strength day by day,” he adds.

Companies will also use the Hotel Show 2013 to introduce new products and additional ranges to prospective clients and customers.

Vice president of TeleAdapt Middle East, Africa and Indian Ocean, Petvin Fernandes reveals: “This year, we are launching four new exciting products. We have just started with our MediaHub Mini, which everyone will get to try in the Hotel Show, and very soon, we will have the wireless HDMI, wireless Qi charging and Wi-Fi access points.”

Jean-Baptiste Plagne, business vice president, Gulf countries and export at Schneider Electric, says: “The KNX Access Control will be showcased at the Hotel Show where key players from the hospitality industry will be present under one roof.

The event will offer us an excellent opportunity to showcase and promote our state-of-the-art control system especially designed for the sector. We look forward to collaborating with hoteliers and helping them in providing their guests with unmatched comfort even while significantly reducing operational costs and boosting margins.”

The Hotel Show is also adding a new conference to its schedule. The Vision Conference will be held over three days and will look at the latest trends and technologies from customer insight and engagement to contracts and tenders as well as interiors and operations with industry experts.

The three day event will explore topics such as widening the range of tourism offerings in the Middle East and engaging generation Y. Panellists at various sessions will include Strategy and Tourism Sector Development CEO Ahmed Belhoul, Golden Tulip MENA director of operations Paul Diab, and Landmark Group CEO Russel Sharpe. DTCM director general Helal Saeed Almarri will speak about Dubai Tourism’s vision for 2020.

Christine Davidson, exhibition director at DMG Events, the organiser of the Hotel Show, comments: “The 2013 edition of The Hotel Show reflects the strength of the region’s robust hospitality industry and as the largest hospitality event of its kind it is well placed to act as a barometer for the entire sector. The expansion of our content programme is indicative of the renewed confidence and activity in the sector.”