More than 1,100 companies are taking part in the 27th edition of the Index Design Series, the region's leading interiors and design trade show, and the co-located Middle East Stone, which opened its doors on Monday (May 22).

The four-day exhibitions were inaugurated by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, in the presence of senior government officials and industry experts.

Sheikh Hamdan, along with Index event director Samantha Kane-Macdonald, Yan Wang of Middle East Stone, and dmg events design portfolio director Tony Crinion, was then given a guided tour of the show.

He interacted with the exhibitors and also liaised with firms taking part in Middle East Covering – which focuses  on interior and exterior surface solutions - and workspace, dedicated to office furniture and décor, said the event organisers.

The shows are likely to draw over 30,000 visitors to more than 1,100 exhibitor stands, they stated.

They also promise a host of knowledge sharing industry-focused talks, seminars and on-site interactive features, with Index opening its doors to consumers for the first time in its history on Wednesday night.

Tony Crinion, the Index event director, said the show has an immensely strong 27-year history. "Our challenge is  to keep that going, and we feel that with all our innovations for 2017 -  namely the Design for the Senses show  theme and lush green décor - we have a show that will excite, engage and exhibit the very best in global interior design," he noted.

According to him, the region’s recent history of infrastructure, hospitality, residential and retail development is once again pushing on.

"With ambitious national growth set for the Gulf across the next 10 to 15 years, being able to source the finest  materials and products to help build and furnish these mega projects is vital for the region’s construction and design leaders," observed Crinion.

The Index Design Series and Middle East Stone will meet that requirement, he added.

According to him, the OFIS-sponsored Design Talks at Index will welcome big name interior designers Bethan Gray, Henry Holland and Jo Hamilton to both In Conversation and panel discussions.

The show floor is also peppered with sense-tingling features, including a Harrods-designed VIP Oasis exclusive  distributor Finasi, an Index Design Hub and textile and lighting exhibits.

The other expo, Middle East Covering will offer a wide variety of surface solutions for flooring, walls and interior products, while workspace – through the Steelcase-endorsed Active Learning Ecosystem – will demonstrate the future of the office environment, said the organisers.

At Middle East Stone, the Laticrete-sponsored Stone Conference will discuss a wide-range of topics, from global  trend perspectives to sustainability and industry challenges.

Key exhibitors include Mapei, Callache, Marmo Classic, Services and Trade Marble, Aseel Marble, Al Emadi,  Stone Trade International, Fortune Enterprise, Sabta, Arwani Trading and US Diamond.-TradeArabia News Service