The western downturn in the global property market contrasted with the Middle East, where the real estate market continues to power ahead, comes under detailed examination next month at Cityscape Dubai 2008.
Now in its seventh year and the largest business-to-business real estate investment and development event in the world, Cityscape Dubai will feature a series of important conferences where the industry’s leading experts will focus on world and regional developments.
Cityscape Dubai is expected to break new records this year with more than 60,000 participants from over 150 countries attending the exhibition and conferences, which will be taking place from 6-9 October 2008 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.
“You only have to look out of any window to see the astronomical property growth that is transforming cityscapes,†said Shabnam Rawal, Group Director of Cityscape Conferences. “While much of the west appears to be heading for a slump, the property business in the Arabian Gulf, along with China and India, continues to grow. This is just one of the many intriguing areas that will be covered in the widest range of conferences yet at Cityscape.â€
Cityscape Dubai will kick off with the Real Estate Leadership Strategy Summit bringing together the shrewdest real estate investors from around the world to address the trends, strategies and opportunities in the global market place. Following on from the summit, The International Real Estate Investment and Development Conference, Cityscape Dubai’s main conference, will feature world class speakers for three days of analysis of the macro-economics of real estate development and financing options; as well real estate marketing and branding in the region.
The World Architecture Congress is also part of the Cityscape programme. “Designed for architecture and urban planning professionals it provides a regionally incomparable opportunity to learn about the latest architectural concepts, sustainability innovations and design solutions,†said Rawal.
“Chaired this year by former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, the programme provides a high-level analysis of the challenges faced in architectural projects internationally, with a special focus on initiatives in the Middle East.â€
Cityscape Dubai will also host the Cityscape Architecture Awards honouring excellence in architecture and design across the globe at a gala dinner on Monday, 6 October 2008
In addition, Cityscape Dubai hosts a no-holds barred conference on the hotel and tourism industry in the Middle East at a crucial time for the region’s booming hospitality sector. “The second Cityscape Dubai Hotel and Tourism Investment and Development Conference will host key speakers such as Jan Laverty Jones, former Las Vegas mayor and look behind the facts, the figures and the finances of the industry to discover the underlying trends,†said Rawal.
This year for the first time, the Middle East Facilities and Asset Management Conference comes under the Cityscape umbrella. The conference will be held during the Cityscape week at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, across from the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.
“With so many uncertainties in the world combined with a region that appears to be bucking the international trends, there is considerable excitement throughout the industry and all its sectors about this year’s programme of Cityscape conferences,†Rawal said.
The Cityscape Dubai exhibition and series of conferences attract regional and international investors, property developers, governmental and development authorities, architects, designers, consultants and professionals involved in all aspects of the property industry. It provides an annual forum that celebrates the best in real estate, architecture, urban planning and design from around the world.
Cityscape Dubai 2007 set new records by welcoming 51,855 professionals from 136 countries. A total of 849 exhibitors showcased their projects and services on 74,240 square metres of exhibition space. Cityscape Dubai 2008 is expected to substantially top that with more than 60,000 participants.
The Cityscape exhibition has attracted a series of high-level sponsors. Platinum sponsors are: Nakheel, Aldar, Dar Al Arkan, Qatari Diar, Saraya, and Tanmiyat. Gold sponsor are: Abyaar, Aqaba Development Corporation, and Tameer. Silver sponsors are: Al Qudra Real Estate, MAG Property Development, and Iskandar Financial District.
The conferences are also backed by leading sponsors. Associate sponsor of the World Architecture Congress are Al Fajer Property and headline sponsors are Groho, Arup, Timelinks and Move In. Diamond sponsors of the Hotel and Tourism Investment and Development Conference are Bawadi, platinum sponsors are Group RCI and silver sponsors are SNASCO. Gold sponsor of the Facilities and Asset Management Conference are Wasl.
For more details on the Cityscape Dubai exhibition and conference programmes, please log on to www.cityscape.ae
About Cityscape
Cityscape Dubai is organised by IIR Middle East and is the flagship of a truly international brand attracting some of the wealthiest and most liquid investors in the world.
The second Cityscape Abu Dhabi in the UAE capital earlier this year was a huge success with over 50,000 delegates, swiftly followed by a second Cityscape China event in Shanghai.
In September the inaugural Cityscape USA event takes place in New York. Cityscape Latin America will follow hot on the heels of Dubai with a show in Sao Paolo in November and the second outing for Cityscape India in Mumbai this December. New shows are also being introduced next year in Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Russia.
