The ninth edition of the Middle East’s largest bridal event, The Bride Show Dubai 2006, and the region’s exciting new home interiors and accessories exhibition, Ambiente Al Bayt Al Arabie which debuted this year, closed on April 7, 2006 drawing a record 29,000 visitors to the Dubai International Exhibition Center, where the four-day event was held. Hundreds of exhibitors who showcased their wide array of products and services, also benefited from another extremely successful exhibition.
Charlotte Proudman, Event Director, The Bride Show Dubai said, “We are overwhelmed with the success achieved at The Bride Show Dubai 2006. This has reinforced the show’s position as the region’s most sought-after event for the bridal industry. The level of interest shown by visitors on all four days of the event was something that had to be seen to be believed and all the exhibitors made the most of the opportunity by effectively promoting their range of products and services.”
The closing day was marked by the announcement of the Swarovski Young Designer of The Year Award 2006, which was presented to talented students of fashion design and amateur fashion designers from the Middle East. Kuakab Khan from The Centre For Executive Education was chosen as the winner of the Innovation Award category. Sania Abdul Rauss, studying at the Pearl Design Centre was the winner of the Student Designer category, while Reety Gupta from Mahe-Manipal, Dubai Campus was the runner-up. In the Amateur Designers category, Julia Grebneva was the winner, while Sky Kerr was chosen as the runner-up.
More than 400 exhibitors from 20 countries showcased their products at The Bride Show Dubai 2006, including Johnson & Johnson, Mövenpick Hotel, Bur Dubai, Swarovski, Shataff Jewellers, Fantazia, Nefertity, The Wedding Shop, Intercontinental Hotel, Fashion Studio, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Chantelle Middle East, Marico Industries, Motivate Publishing, Burjuman Center, Abu Haleeqa Stores, Design World, The Fairmont Hotel, Picture Perfect, Jacy Kay, The Ritz Carlton, Dubai, Dhamani Jewels, Prateeksha and Ajman Kempinski Hotel & Resort.
Adel Ali Abu Haleeqa, General Manager, Abu Haleeqa Stores, a prominent Diamond Sponsor at the show said, “We have been participating in The Bride Show Dubai for four years now, and each year the exhibition has attracted a larger number of visitors. This year we witnessed exceptional sales at our stand and we are totally satisfied with the outcome of our participation. We have launched the official scent for The Bride Show Dubai 2006, although the actual launch will happen in August. Most definitely we will be participating in the next edition of the show as well, since it gives us the required exposure and provides a good networking platform.”
Morgan Layberry, Conference and Banquet Manager, InterContinental Dubai said, “This is our fourth year at the show, and more importantly it has been another highly successful one for us. The event presents numerous networking possibilities and provides exposure among suppliers. Our main objective of participating in the exhibition was to promote InterContinental Dubai’s Al Mansour Dhow, a fabulous new floating “I Do” wedding reception service that can cater to groups of up to 100 guests and accommodate almost any request. We are glad that we were able to extensively promote this service and the response we received for this has been excellent.”
The Bride Show Dubai 2006, organised by IIR Middle East, was sponsored by Pistache, Al Yashmac, Linx Interiors, Burjuman, Eternity, HSBC, Dnata, Shattaf, Technopro, Abu Haleeqa Stores, Swarovski, Provoke Cosmetics, Wow Beauty Salon, Gaby Photos and Rave Audiovisual.
Tanagra was the exclusive sponsor of Ambiente Al Bayt Al Arabie, where it presented its carefully composed selection of refined lifestyle brands in home furnishings and accessories. Other Diamond sponsors included Bang & Olufsen, Francesco Mollon, Designer Fabric, Curtain Land, Carpet Land, Bretz, Porcellane Villari, Grand Stores, Jacuzzi, and was endorsed by the Association of Professional Interior Designers.
More than 100 international brands were displayed by the prestigious line-up of exhibitors at Ambiente Al Bayt Al Arabie that included Francesco Molon, Bellagio Creations, Jashanmal National Company, Chen One, Falaknaz Habitat, Falaknaz Warehouse, Fer Forge, Wagner & Apel, Lausitzer Glashütte, Wael Hamadeh, Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation, Hastens Beds Trading, Masina House, Presotto, Safita Trading, TepeHome, Trans Dazz Design, Zye Trading, Alomi Real Wood Floors, Al Yousuf Electronics, Arteluce, Atelier Afkar, Dubai Garden Centre and Evergreen Enterprises.
The next edition of The Bride Show Dubai will take place from April 10 to 13, 2007. “Many of this year’s exhibitors have already confirmed their participation in next year’s show. This speaks for the event’s growing reach and significance to all those involved in the regional wedding industry,” concluded Proudman.
