GITEX Technology Week 2013 Would Be Fuller Than Ever

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) revealed that GITEX Technology Week 2013 is poised to become the most comprehensive edition yet in the event’s history. Running under the theme ‘Let’s Create, Disrupt and Re-imagine Together’, the 33rd edition of GITEX Technology Week 2013 runs from October 20-24 at DWTC, with Dubai Internet City (DIC) a strategic partner.

The event organiser’s optimism comes as the local IT market continues to go from strength to strength; the latest forecast by Gartner suggests that IT spend in the Middle East will hit $192.9bn in 2013, up 5.5% from last year.

DWTC also stated that GITEX Technology Week’s reputation for shaping the Middle East Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) agenda is largely attributable to an enduring ability to deliver unbeatable industry insights and strong returns on investment (ROI).

Now firmly established as MEASA’s top ICT event – and one of the most influential in the world – GITEX Technology Week attracted 139,000 ICT professionals from 144 countries last year. 80% of world’s leading ICT brands were present.

The 2012 show’s ‘Where Technology Means Business’ tagline proved apt, with 61% of C-Level Executive visitors boasting procurement budgets of over $5m while 18% had budgets between $1m and $5m, 13% were prepared to spend $500,000 and 8% had up to $500,000. The average deal struck at GITEX 2012 either met or exceeded ROI expectations.

With 95% of exhibitors planning to return this year, and a host of newcomers from across the world already signed up, Trixee Loh, Senior Vice President at Dubai World Trade Centre, believes GITEX Technology Week 2013 has what it takes to outdo 2012’s landmark performance.

This year, we have done everything we can to give GITEX Technology Week a new edge and relevance. Among other things, we’re ramping up our international reach, introducing incisive, trend-dissecting features like the Big Data Conference, as well as proactively unearthing and celebrating new talent through a series of competitions. We’re also proudly hosting new events of global stature like InfoComm MEA and the GSMA Mobile 360 series, once again emphasising our ability to attract the world’s top technology game-changers. The buzz surrounding GITEX Technology Week 2013 has already begun, and I am confident that all the pieces are in place for this year’s theme of creation, disruption and re-imagination to leave a lasting legacy that we can continue to build on well into the future.

This year, all GITEX Technology Week conferences will feature opening keynotes to enhance c-level discussions and offer a forum for a dedicated c-level agenda. A new exposure-enhancing and knowledge-sharing platform set to make an impression are the free to attend Smart Sessions. A dedicated theatre will provide a powerful showcase for anyone with innovative solutions and insight. Featured activities include panel debates, discussions and interactive presentations. Smart Session topics include mobile apps solution trends, SME entrepreneurship, cyber security, social media and cyber security.

Another new addition is the gsmExchange TradeZone, the world’s largest online trading platform for the Mobile Phone Distribution industry. gsmExchange will host 28 co-exhibitors from all over the world, who are recognised as leading distributors in their regions. The area will also host some of the largest national distributors to facilitate local businesses looking to expand their network with a diverse range of suppliers or buyers. It will provide a focal point for distribution professionals to network and business develop in an exclusive trading environment.

Great anticipation is also mounting for GITEX Technology Week’s co-located GSMA Mobile 360 Series, a new regional conference series for executives in the mobile industry, as well as key regulatory and government representatives. The new thought-leadership conferences, which are coming to the Middle East for the first time, will complement those that are run as part of larger GSMA events such as the Mobile World Congress, Mobile Asia Expo and NFC ‘&’ Mobile Money Summit, and will explore key mobile industry trends and issues on a regional basis.

GITEX Technology Week is also set to up the competitive ante this year with a series of awards to recognise innovation in the industry. The Cloud Awards will celebrate excellence and recognise cloud computing’s contribution to the business community, while the GITEX Hot Stuff Awards is set to be the largest consumer electronics gadget event in the region. Entries for the latter will be pared down to a field of ten that will compete for what is set to be coveted title, as voted for by a panel of expert judges and the general public.

Adding to the constructive competitive spirit is the Student Lab competition, which is sponsored by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs (MoPA) and held in association with Google. Attracting students from leading regional universities, the competition provides a platform to recognise and promote ICT leaders of the future. Come 1 September 2013, 10 finalists will be selected by a jury committee and the best projects will be presented to representatives from leading ICT companies across the globe.