Epoc Messe Frankfurt, the Dubai end of the global Messe Frankfurt event organisation, is set to present five dedicated exhibitions across six halls at the Dubai World Trade Centre between May15 and 17.

The shows titled ISH Kitchen and Bathroom, Lightstyle Gulf Light, Hometech Middle East, Hardware and Tools, and Garden, Landscaping and Outdoor Living, are the local names adapted from brands that enjoy a massive international franchise, says a spokesman for the organiser.
With a network spanning 80 offices across the four corners of the world, the trade fairs all benefit from attracting a truly diverse list of international and regional exhibitors, national pavilions and industry associations.
“These are must-see events for the trade offering solutions from 1,000 specialist suppliers,” says Chris Hudson, exhibitions director of Epoc Messe Frankfurt. “In a part of the world used to festivals, we have created the ultimate international ‘building-fest’ with exhibits coming from over 40 countries.”
Hudson links the growth and ongoing success for the shows to the dynamics of the industry. Commercial, public and residential properties have never been in such demand, built with such speed or in greater numbers. These are not just superficial claims, but borne out of the exponential growth of each event, he says.
“ISH is 70 per cent bigger than last year, Lightstyle has doubled in size, Hometech is 300 per cent bigger, Hardware and Tools is up by 40 per cent and Gardens by 75 per cent,” says Hudson. “The events are carefully planned to complement one another, with many visitors taking in all four shows.”
The organisers prudently estimate that around 18,000 to 20,000 trade visitors will be drawn to the exhibitions, comprising architects, interior and landscape designers, merchants and building materials retailers - the latter indicative of another fast-emerging market, the DIY sector seeded through a liberalisation in property ownership laws.
Both functionality and aesthetics are keynotes expressed in ISH Kitchen and Bathrooms, “It’s synonymous with cutting-edge design, colour selection and use of materials. ISH presents a master class in what’s best from around the world for interior designers and property developers in the Gulf area,” explains Hudson.
The exhibitor list reads like the ‘who’s who’ of the kitchen and bathroom industry. This means visitors will be reviewing something like a 1,000 exhibits including industry giants such as Villeroy and Boch, Kohler, RAK Ceramics, Allmilmoe Franke, Rangemaster, Miele, Teka and Bosch. Novel displays featuring complete kitchens and bathrooms are guaranteed to inspire, he adds.
This year’s Lightsyle Gulf Light has grown as a result of substantial support from world leaders such as Philips, Osram and Kurt Faustig. Chandeliers, decorative and functional lighting will be on show including the award-winning Meltau design from Die Krauts. Solid State Lighting will also present a new breakthrough with its first-ever semiconductor light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
Solely dedicated to the domestic appliance market, Hometech Middle East exhibition covers refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens, vacuum cleaners, air-conditioning units and other hi-end technology. Exhibitors include: General Electric – exhibiting its Monogram and ClimateKeeper upscale refrigerators; and the Olympic Group – which will present a living kitchen section where visitors can see a range of functioning appliances. Other exhibitors include Miele, Braun, Bosch Siemens, Highland Cooktops from Australia and Teka Kuchentechnik from Germany.
In the hardware and tools sector, Unimar will be showcasing four major brands – Spit from France, Casals from Spain, Freud from Italy, and REX Tools from the Netherlands. Ivar Pro from Romania will be launching woodworking tools and new exhibitors this year include Plano Europe, which will be showcasing its products alongside several other Italian companies supported by the Federation of Turin.
“Of great interest to landscape designers will be the selection of plants adapted to the region’s climate brought in from Italy by Le Barbare, which will be on show at the Gardens, Landscaping and Outdoor Living show,” says Hudson. “The Sultan Garden Centre from Saudi Arabia, will showcase a variety of indoor and outdoor plants, garden tools, irrigation equipment, pottery, fresh flower arrangements, artificial plants and flowers, fountains, garden furniture and stone ornaments.”
The Epoc Messe Frankfurt Dubai team has more tahn 20 years experience of organising international trade fairs throughout the world. Besides these five exhibitions, its successful portfolio of events includes Intersec 2005, Materials Handling, Beautyworld Gulf, Houseware & Homestyle, and the Middle East Toy Fair.
Epoc Messe Frankfurt is a subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt, considered to be the world’s second largest trade fair organiser conducting over 100 events worldwide with 15 subsidiaries across Europe, Asia, America, Africa and the Middle East.