New online interactive tools to enhance business and networking opportunities for Gulfood visitors
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Visitors at Gulfood – the world’s largest annual show for the global food and hospitality industry – can look forward to identifying more qualified business connections, opportunities and potential contracts through the show’s new digital planning tools. Taking place from 25 – 28 February at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Gulfood 2013 will be the largest and most international show to date, with a 13% increase in size from last year. To support this growth in size, organisers have introduced interactive, time-saving tools to help trade visitors plan and manage their visit in the most efficient way.
With 113,398 square metres of exhibition space to navigate and more than 50,000 brands to choose from, keeping track of events taking place within Gulfood can be a challenge. To help buyers find the right products quickly and easily, the organisers have introduced an interactive and user-friendly mobile application. Free to download from the Gulfood website, the Gulfood App enables users to navigate the show using an interactive map that finds interesting products and guides visitors to them using the latest wayfinding technology. Visitors can also learn about the various conferences and competitions taking place at the show, receive news alerts from organisers and set meeting reminders. The Gulfood mobile application is available for iPhone, Android and Blackberry devices.
Other new features to make companies and products at Gulfood more findable include an online exhibitor map and improved product location features, also available through the Gulfood website.
Recognising the importance of Gulfood as a serious platform for building business connections and networking, organisers have launched ‘Gulfood Connexions’, an online networking and diary management tool for both exhibitors and visitors. With the best networking happening on the show floor, this online programme helps members look for potential business leads and book meetings ahead of the event.
Similar to a social networking site, both visitors and exhibitors can create unique profiles using Gulfood Connexions. Members can then use the programme to search businesses they are interested in, contact other members, exchange messages and schedule appointments in advance. The online diary can be exported to the member’s MS Outlook e-mail or even printed and brought to the show. While all exhibitors are provided with access to Gulfood Connexions, visitors are required to pre-register in order to use the facility.
Senior industry professionals can continue to take advantage of the Gulfood Majlis, which has developed into a highly successful and effective feature of the show since it was introduced three years ago. A dedicated commercial forum, the Gulfood Majlis offers senior decision makers a discreet, but focused environment to meet and establish new business agreements.
This year Gulfood visitors can also enjoy easier access to the event from almost all parts of Dubai through the Dubai Metro, which has a dedicated station located just steps away from the entrance to the show. Additional parking has also been arranged at Al Jafiliya Metro Station which easily connects to the Dubai World Trade Centre metro station. Free shuttle buses will operate during the opening hours of the show ferrying delegates to multiple locations around the Dubai World Trade Centre.
“Gulfood is a transactional show, one where business worth billions of dollars of money takes place. As organisers of the event, we strive to improve our business offering to exhibitors and visitors every year to help optimise their use of time and maximise opportunities at the event. The new features at Gulfood have been designed to facilitate easy access to the show, build more business connections and therefore, conduct more business,” said Trixee Loh, Senior Vice President of Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of Gulfood.
Gulfood is strictly a trade-only event and is open to business and trade visitors from within the industry only. Gulfood is open 11am-7pm from February 25-27 and 11am -5pm on February 28. The online entry fee is AED125 and onsite entry fee is AED250. For more information, please visit www.gulfood.com.
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About Gulfood
www.gulfood.com
Gulfood is professionally managed and hosted by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), which provides more than three decades of experience in delivering world-class events in the Middle East, featuring local, regional and international exhibitors with unmatched expertise and in-depth market knowledge. The extensive portfolio of leading trade and consumer brand events include The Speciality Food Festival, Sweets & Snacks Middle East, SEAFEX, GITEX Technology Week, Dubai International Boat Show and Dubai International Motor Show.
About Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)
www.dwtc.com
As the organiser of Gulfood 2013, Dubai World Trade Centre offers more than 32 years experience delivering world-class events in the Middle East, providing local, regional and international exhibitors with unmatched expertise and in-depth market knowledge. Our team organises 18 of the largest and most successful international and regional shows in Middle East, providing an ideal platform for business development in the region.
Our commitment to ongoing innovation within the exhibition industry has supported the rapid growth and development of a wide range of business-to-business and business-to-consumer shows, and delivered consistent satisfaction to exhibitors and visitors. DWTC works with the leading trade bodies and industry associations to ensure that all exhibitions deliver full value and are built upon the real needs of their specific sector.
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