"The Philharmonic Orchestra shows at the new Festival City recorded a huge turnout, indicating a real interest in the classical music market," he said. "On top of that, 25,000 people attended the Jazz Festival. It is evident from this that whether the music is classical, Latin American, heavy metal or jazz the level of appreciation is now unprecedented."
Some of the magic of show production will be introduced to the Dubai International Exhibition Centre during Event 360. Leading the way will be a production of Amaceon, LOBO Laser and Multimedia Systems spectacular laser water show, with which the German specialists will attempt to surpass the sensational production of Arabian Dreams, one of the highlights of PALME Middle East 2006.
Elsewhere, show organisers, IIR Entertainment & Installation Technology Group are busy organising a live entertainment programme, with full details to be announced.
Attending PALME Middle East for the first time are Market Associates, who specialise in advertising and branding. Returning for a second year after 2006's introduction to the market is Finnish company, FogScreen. Other exhibitors who have newly committed to participation at Event 360 include French company, Azur Scenic, manufacturers of spectacular backdrops for large scale concerts; RCL Rigging, who have now set up a local operation in Dubai; and finally chain hoists and controls from lifting gear giants Verlinde.
• PALME Middle East's MUSAC sector is starting to take advantage of some staggering statistics, which show that MI sales are rocketing in the region. MUSAC exhibition manager Jonathan Gadalla, confirms that Dubai's consumption of musical instruments, accessories and parts alone has grown 25% since 2004 - and is giving the expanding vertical show a new impetus.
• Singapore's growing infrastructure - requiring the need for ever more professional staging services is already having a positive effect on this year's Event 360 show, which makes its debut under the wing of the umbrella PALME Asia expo in July.
As the former PALA Show, the event has been a fixture of trade in Pacific Asia for the past 18 years; but with its rebranding to PALME Asia, sales manager Hanslee Azhar believes that the move back to the island of Singapore (from Bangkok) is also vital for the free trade advantages this location holds. PALME Asia takes place from 12-14 July 2007 at Singapore Expo.
(Jim Evans)
