Project launches
During the heydays of the Dubai property market in 2008, Cityscape was a launchpad for several ambitious projects and also witnessed launch of direct sales by developers at the event itself. A few exhibitors are preparing for announcements and launches to coincide with Cityscape Global this year. However, property transactions are not permitted at Cityscape Global. Investors and end-users can express interest in different projects at the show but any official documents or financial transfers have to be completed at the developers’ or brokers’ sales centres.
For investors worried about the credentials of participating exhibitors, rest assured. Any exhibitor planning to promote real estate projects at Cityscape Global requires a licence issued by the Dubai Land Department (DLD). The expo organizers apply for these licences on behalf of the exhibitors several weeks in advance to ensure all of the exhibitors are bona fide companies.
Meanwhile, the Cityscape Global Conference, which normally runs simultaneously with Cityscape Global, has been moved ahead and will be held on September 7 at the Conrad Hotel Dubai. Visitors will no longer need to choose between spending their time on the exhibition floor or at the conference. Short, targeted and free-to-attend (but by invitation only) conferences will ensure higher and quality attendance. Many hundreds of selected delegates have already confirmed their attendance. The morning session of the Conference will focus on the opportunities and challenges of affordable and middle income housing. During the afternoon, the programme will split into two parallel sessions, focusing on facilities management and real estate brokerages.
The growth of Cityscape Global this year is down to a combination of both larger stands and new exhibitors. Some significant improvements have been made to the exhibition this year, which has been reconfigured, now taking place in nine exhibition halls. It facilitates a more convenient layout as two sections of exhibition halls will be located in parallel, connected by a central concourse with several amenities, such as F&B outlets, meetings rooms, VIP lounges, etc. All exhibitors are now within a few minutes’ walk from each other, which will be a benefit to visitors as they navigate through the exhibition halls.
