Date: 8 March 2011
The inauguration followed a short press conference, where Industry experts and supporters of the Gulf Glass series explained the importance of the region; Steve Lipscombe, Vice Chairman of the Glass & Glazing Federation MENA Region, Ann-Marei Zwickirsch, Exhibition Manager of Germany’s Machinery Association VDMA, and Renata Gaffo, Director of Italy’s Machinery Association GIMAV.
The exhibition comes at a significant time as the UAE’s glass industry braces for unprecedented growth with the country’s construction industry preparing to witness a compounded annual growth rate of around 20% from 2010 to 2013, with approximately 1,300 projects worth over $418 billion currently under construction across the UAE.
In addition, another 300 projects worth $143 billion are in the design, planning or bidding stages. Qatar has a burgeoning construction sector (bolstered by its hosting of the 2022 World Cup). The Middle East is witnessing an ever-increasing demand for float glass and processed, specialty glass products, employing new and innovative technologies and pushing architectural boundaries, not only in design trends, but also in environmental protection.
Over the next three days, some of the top international players in the glass industry will converge on Abu Dhabi to explore the future of their business, at Gulf Glass 2011, which takes place at ADNEC from March 7-9, 2011.
“The glass industry is ripe for investment and expansion” says Derek Burston, Event Manager for Gulf Glass 2011. “It is doubtless the reason that we have seen such an international spread of exhibitors signing up to the Abu Dhabi event, and we expect visitors to be drawn far and wide from the entire MENA region” he adds. “Gulf Glass 2011 exemplifies our long-term commitment to the region, and the furthering of the glass community”.
Gulf Glass 2011 is not only the biggest glass show in the region, but is also the only truly pan-Middle Eastern show dedicated to the entire glass industry. Gulf Glass 2011 is where the global glass industry meets, bringing together high profile, truly international exhibitors from all areas of the business, with over 20 countries represented. The exhibition boasts an exhibitor list that includes well over 100 of the world’s industry leaders. And with up to 3,000 international visitors expected this year, Gulf Glass is inarguably the best attended glass show in the entire region.
More information, free visitor admission tickets, all the latest news on this 'must visit' event can be found on the show's dedicated website www.glassinthegulf.com
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