INDEX and workspace at INDEX 2016 editions officially open their doors with over 1,000 exhibitors

– Packed schedule of speakers at the INDEX and workspace at INDEX Design Talks

– 350 new exhibitors over four days at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 23 – 26 May 2016

INDEX, the GCC’s biggest event for sourcing interiors and design products, and workspace at INDEX, the region’s only exhibition dedicated to commercial interior design,  opened their doors today for the 26^thand 15^th times respectively.

Excitement for this year’s shows was evident this morning, as H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Deputy Ruler of Dubai and the Minister of Finance and Industry of the United Arab Emirates, officially opened the doors to the exhibition’s largest number of exhibitors yet, welcoming 350 new exhibitors compared to last year’s edition, to total more than 1,000 incredible exhibitors.

Mirroring the ongoing success of INDEX and workspace at INDEX, the value of the GCC interior and fit-out market has risen and is now worth an estimated $7.35 billion, an increase of 25 percent from the previous year’s (source: Ventures Middle East, January 2016).

Samantha Kane Macdonald, Event Director, Index, dmg events said: “INDEX has seen significant growth over the years and is back with even bigger editions for 2016.  The event offers the best opportunity in the region for the design community to come together for networking and sourcing products and judging from the buzz this morning, it’s set to be the best year yet”.

Highlights at this year’s shows are set to include:

• The “Discover” workshop, in association with Pro-Technology, will hub experts sharing their knowledge on a hugely popular trend – 3D printing. Designers can submit their own designs into a competition for the chance to win their very own 3D printer – a great way to stay on top of the 3D printing trend, following His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai’s recent announcement which stated: “Our key goal is to ensure that 25 per cent of buildings in Dubai are based on 3D printing technology by 2030”.
• INDEX and workspace at INDEX Trend Hub, in cooperation with Scarlet Opus, will offer a themed lounge area inspired by future design trends for the world of interiors and architecture
• Retail Design Competition – the National Academy is awarding the winner of the competition free post-graduate tuition

Award winning design, Karim Rashid said: “As the world gets savvier and savvier and more and more contemporary when it comes to the physical environment, shows of this nature are critical to move our interior spaces forward. This show is an essential exhibition to shape the Middle East and beyond”.

workspace at INDEX presents seven brand new sectors for 2016, including: Retailspace; fit out; furniture; interiors; management and storage, with visitors expect to meet, connect and source from over 150 suppliers from 20 countries across the four days.

The popular Design Talks series is back again across both INDEX and workspace at INDEX, with packed schedules running throughout the week. INDEX’s Design Talks speakers include Khulood Khoory, Manager, Dubai Fashion and Design Council, Dubai Design and Fashion Council; Matteo Bianchi, Founder, Matteo Bianchi Studio; George Kahler, Founder, KAHLER Designand Ben Corrigan, CEO, Bluehaus Group. workspace at INDEX Design Talks – brought to this year’s shows by OFIS – also has a great line up of speakers, including Gavin Philips, Steelcase; Naima  Aziz, Green Consultants and Parthsarathy R, CADD Centre.

Other new additions for this year include the INDEX Design Innovation Forum, a brand new feature that has been created to support the UAE’s vision of remaining a global pioneer in design and creativity; the INDEX ContemporaryFurniture Design Competition in association with Home Outfitters and The Retail Design Competition. The MEIDA Awards and INDEX Style Guides are also back for another year running!

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