The 2005 Mother Baby and Child Show to be held at Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC) on 21-23 December has seen a record number of participants for an event of this kind in the region.
More than 140 brands, manufacturers, retailers and entertainment providers
will be exhibiting at the Gulf’s premier show, with a programme of events designed to appeal to the young and not so young at heart.
Said Shannon Norris from organisers The Main Event: “The emphasis this year is on the well being of the family, looking at issues affecting not only children but parents too. “We’ve shifted the emphasis this year to a more holistic approach looking at issues affecting not only children but parents too. There are a lot of events and seminars included in the show designed to give practical advice and tips on anything from car safety, to breastfeeding, fashion and pampering for those busy mums.”
Calpol is hosting a seminar and workshop area where parents can learn about dealing with pain and fever as well as tips on nutrition and first aid. At the Mothercare testing Track mums and dads can road test their own pushchairs and car seats and learn about road safety and transport. There are play areas throughout the show, which will keep the little ones entertained in a safe, secure environment.
Kids’ cartoon favorites, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Pink Panther will be making personal appearances live on stage six times everyday and the main stage schedule will be packed with activities from 10am to 10pm.
A musical show which features popular singer Hala, performing the best loved songs from a number of Space Toon shows such as Snow White, Fulla, Garden Secrets and many other classics. The show will be hosted by children’s’ presenters Nassib and Wael, who will also organise games and competitions with thousands of dirhams worth of fabulous prizes up for grabs from New Boy and GoodBaby.
Other activities include the Mothercare car safety workshops, dance performances by local school children, and for all budding catwalk models Okaidi, have arranged a children’s fashion show. Local children who entered a competition have been chosen to ‘strut their stuff’ under the spotlight in this seasons latest collections.
For those ‘Tweens & Teens’ out there, don’t despair the event is not ‘just kids stuff!’ Following its unprecedented success at Mother Baby & Child Show 2004, the “Teen Scene” will feature on the schedule. This is an interactive and stimulating environment for even the most ardent ‘Tweens & Teens” to test, taste and purchase everything from clothes to cosmetics.
There is even a small petting zoo where children can learn about caring for animals with special talks by Feline Friends and K9.
To make the visit to the show convenient, mums can use the Sudocrem/ Milton Baby Changing and Feeding area. Braun showcase their home and personal care ranges while Rimmel provides a Pampering Zone for the ladies to get a free make over with demonstrations and beauty advice. Play areas are in abundance, including the Progress Zone for babies and toddlers providing a safe, secure environment.
The Ministry of Education and Youth, will talk on health and sports issues, whilst Wyeth and Rainbow will impart sound advice on nutrition plus many other important parenting subjects.
Added Norris: “Lots has appeared in the newspapers recently about the non appearance of Harry Potter in the UAE Well, at the show we will be hosting exclusive movie clips from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire so everyone can get a sneak preview ahead of its general release.”
Channel4Fm will transmit live links each day with coverage across their three stations, Channel4 104.8Fm, Radio4 89.1Fm, Al Rabea 107.8Fm. The links will include interviews with exhibitors, mums, dads and kids, and with ‘Tweens’ at the TeenScene Zone. They will also be reviewing all of the exciting competitions and activities in the hall for both visitors at the show and their listeners, giving them a chance to win fabulous prizes ranging from Playstations to Mothercare hampers, bicycles, beauty kits and vouchers from numerous health and fashion brands. The star prize however remains two return tickets to Kuala Lumpur courtesy of Malaysia Air.
For an extra special treat, The Main Event (TME) the organisers of the show and the Novotel Hotel, have teamed up to offer an exclusive breakfast for children from special needs schools, with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Pink Panther.
Adult tickets are priced at Dhs 20, Children 2-14 years at Dhs 10 and Children below 2 years are admitted free. For more information on the show, and exhibitors, activity schedules and competitions, or to pre book your tickets go to the show website www.motherbabyandchild.com.
