The Hotel Show 2010 promises more features, new exhibitors and the return of some old favourites.

With just a few weeks to go until the exhibition begins on May 18 at Dubai World Trade Centre, Hotelier Middle East provides 50 of the not-to-be-missedseminars, suppliers, statistics and special events

1. BILLION-DOLLAR BUSINESS

According to research from Hotel Show organiser DMG World Media Dubai Ltd, 83% of visitors at last year’s event would or were likely to place an order as a direct result of attending. That amounts to potential revenue of US $10 billion, says The Hotel Show sales director Ray Tinston.

“As the world begins to recover from the economic downturn and people begin to travel again, this year’s Hotel Show marks an important step for the industry,” says Tinston. “The latest industry figures show this region has not been hit as hard as others [see reason number 10] and as such it offers great potential to the many international firms looking to promote their goods.”

2. FIRST-EVER MIDDLE EAST SPA AWARDS

The winners of the first Middle East Spa Awards will be announced at The Hotel Show at a ceremony on May 19. The awards will have six categories: Spa Personality, Green Initiative, Spa Marketing Programme, Signature Body Treatment, Best Spa and Spa Design.

Nominations are being judged by a panel of industry experts: Design Worldwide Partnership interiors hospitality design director Theodora Kioussis, Esadore International MD Ebrahim Malekzadeh. Sassy Solutions’ Sonette Van Rensburg and editorial consultant Kathi Everden, a frequent contributor to Hotelier Middle East.

Figures from2009 showed the spa industry in MENA generated more than US $630 million annually from 824 facilities, 60% of which were in or around hotels.

3. SEVEN STAR CONFERENCE: HOTEL DESIGN

The Seven Star Conference will again run alongside The Hotel Show, with seminars on a variety of topics. Dubai-based celebrity designer Zain Mustafa, founder of Zain Mustafa interiors, will lead an exciting session entitled ‘The Middle East can influence the future of hotel design…really!’ Mustafa will discuss the important role housekeeping plays in the guest experience, reveal his company’s philosophies and encourage more hotels to create Arabic ‘home away from home’ designs. For Mustafa, the time has come to move away from an exoticised/orientalist ‘’Arab Pastiche’’ language and begin to develop a design vernacular born from regionally relevant traditions of nomadic lifestyles. He will also address the use, under-use and mis-use of technology especially in the realms of cooling, water usage and other service related sectors of hotel design.

The Middle East can influence the future of hotel design…really! 4.30pm-5.30pm, May 18, Hall 7

4. OPERATING EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

The Hotel Show 2010 will be split into four key sections to make it easier for visitors to navigate.

The first of these is Operating Equipment & Supplies, which features exhibitors from the food and beverage, housekeeping and back of house sectors. Exhibitors include: carpet supplier Carpets Inter, curtain track manufacturer Forest Group, slum glassware provider Diva Siam, porcelain/ fine china exporter Home Pottery and mattress creator Simmons Middle East, part of the Intercoil Group.

5. 250 EXHIBITORS

With 250 exhibitors, The Hotel Show 2010 has representation from 32 countries. The UAE heads a list that includes companies from Thailand, Cyprus, Lebanon, Hong Kong, France, UK, Spain, Egypt, US, Portugal and Germany.

6. ASSOCIATION MEETINGS: EMIRATES CULINARY GUILD

New at The Hotel Show 2010 is an emphasis on professional associations and networking, with a series of meetings of the industry’s top associations and forums being held over the course of the exhibition. First up is Emirates Culinary Guild, which will be lead by Emirates Culinary Guild president Uwe Micheel, also director of kitchens at Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek. The Culinary Guild has 250 senior and 2000 junior members, plus corporate members such as The Hotel Show. The timing of the event is to be confirmed and members will be invited in due course.

For details: the guild@emirates.net.ae