Combining three leading trade exhibitions for the construction, interiors and property sectors at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre has allowed exhibitors to put on a show that has attracted record numbers of visitors.

The show attracted 2,300 visitors on the first day, a 32 per cent increase on last year's successful event and the organisers are looking to have clocked up an increase of between 30 per cent and 40 per cent in visitor numbers for day two, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

"This year, for the first time, the established gulfBID and gulfInteriors exhibition brands were joined by the inaugural Gulf Property Show which meant the programme offered by exhibitors to players across industrial sectors was unrivalled," said Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions managing director Jubran Abdulrahman.

"The high quality of these exhibitions meant that the event is breaking all records in terms of attendance and more business is being done than ever before. This is a clear sign that Bahrain is definitely back in business. That is the message we have been getting this week from participants," he added.

"These three shows feed off each other and talking to participants, it is clear there is a new feeling of optimism across the industry about the state of the economy," remarked Abdulrahman.

"gulfBID was 30 per cent bigger this year, gulfInteriors 60 per cent bigger and the property event was a complete sell out," he stated.

"Exhibitors have voted the three-show formula a major success and we will repeat this format next year but we may have to have a reassessment after that as the event continues to expand," he added.

A total of 190 companies from 33 countries took part in this year's event.

"It was very challenging to run three shows together for the first time but exhibitors have risen to the occasion and put on a magnificent show," said HCE exhibitions director Ahmed Suleiman.

"The feedback so far has been extremely positive with visitors saying this is an even more user-friendly event because of the increased scope in exhibitors," he added.-TradeArabia News Service