DUBAI, 11 January 2008 — The Sign and Graphics Show will run from Feb. 17-19 at the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC), organizers said on Wednesday. The show, organized by International Expo Consults, a member of the national group, Falak Holding, has attracted over 300 participants from across the world. Commenting on the enthusiastic response to the 2008 edition of the show, Abdul Rehman Falaknaz, president, Falak Holding and International Expo Consults, said: “The rise in participation is a significant indicator of the new opportunities the regional signage and outdoor advertising industry has opened up with large increase in publicity spends across the region. This year, 25 percent of the show’s participants are new while 95 per cent of the earlier exhibitors have come back to tap the regional opportunity.” According to statistics, the estimated spend on signage and outdoor publicity is over $2 billion in GCC alone with Saudi Arabia, the Gulf’s largest market leading closely followed by the UAE. “The UAE’s share has continued rise with the economic boom arising from stupendous growth in sectors like the real estate and consumer durables.” He said the UAE tops the overall advertising spends in the region with over $3.9 billion as of 2006.
