Epoc Messe Frankfurt – the organiser ISH Kitchens and Bathrooms; Hardware and Tools; Garden, Landscaping and Outdoor Living; Light Middle East and Hometech - is optimistic of a stronger response this time around, when the shows open in Dubai from May 14 to 16.

The Hardware and Tools expo, which is in its seventh edition, is expected to draw over 19,000 visitors, who would get to see the latest in equipment, designs and technologies.
“Owing to the construction boom in the region and the need to repair infrastructure, the level of expenditure on hardware and tools is expected to grow by 11 per cent in 2006,” says Melanie Besse, exhibition manager. Last year's show attracted around 265 exhibitors from over 20 countries as well as over 4,500 visitors from around the region, the Indian sub-continent and Russia.
“Expectations for 2006 have increased and some of the big players who have already confirmed their participation at this year’s show including: DeWalt (power tools); Schuermann and Hilleke (nails, screws and work pieces); Lokoma (workbenches, shelving and closet drawers); Kemper Kontakt (grinding equipment); Trafilplastica (flexible tubing for water, sheathing for electrical wiring, crystal profiles and tubing); and GT Line (tool cases).
The fourth edition of the Garden, Landscaping and Outdoor Living exhibition will showcase the latest in outdoor products, landscaping and architecture.
“The outdoors landscaping market will most definitely account for a fair percentage of the total spend on construction projects – whether commercial or residential,” says Gavin Morlini, exhibition manager.
Last year’s show attracted 5,162 visitors from within and outside the UAE and the Indian sub-continent, and 100 exhibitors from over 40 countries. This year’s show is set to exceed that, he says. 
Gardens and Landscaping expo will see the participation of Philippines-based Scherer Jardin, who are renowned for their expertise in creating lavish indoor gardens, using exotic palm trees, sculptured boxwood topiaries and waterfalls.
Chipo Zainab Musandi, (a renowned native Zimbabwean woman sculptor) will present a a collection of masterpieces in different forms of stones and sizes. UK-based Errington Ray will showcase its range of hand moulded and casted pottery; SPA Nation will display the company’s latest designs in swimming pools and spas; and UAE-based Amazing Stone will exhibit a collection of decorative stone tablets and tiles.