Sign and Graphic Imaging (SGI), the largest sign and graphic imaging show in the Middle East, opened yesterday in Dubai featuring 400 exhibitors from 30 countries.

The 16th edition of the event, which expects over 10,000 trade visitors from 75 countries, will run until January 22 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

SGI 2013 was officially inaugurated by Muna Almarri, director general of the Media Office of Dubai Government. Abdul Rahman Falaknaz; chairman of event organisers IEC and Sharif Rahman, CEO, IEC were present among other senior industry officials and delegates during the inauguration. The show is an official ‘Dubai Shopping Festival 2013’ event.

SGI Middle East is an established business forum where exhibitors and visitors can interact with sign makers, print and production manufacturers, architects, media agencies, real-estate developers, brand and image consultants among others.

“We are delighted to inaugurate yet another show and this edition is larger than the previous ones. This is a great sign for the industry and we can see it growing. Today is a great day for all of us at IEC as we have inaugurated the 16th edition of the show,” said Falaknaz.

“I would like to thank all our exhibitors and partners who have supported and trusted us throughout this journey. We grew organically and today SGI has become one of the largest platforms in the Middle East for sign and graphic industry.

“The show has generated sales amounting to billions of dollars for exhibitors serving the digital printing, signage and outdoor advertising industries in the last decade and a half.”

SGI 2013 will showcase state-of-the- art large format printers from major players from across the globe in addition to POP/POS, Substrates, ink and the CNC/laser machines. This show will also include seminars and workshops conducted by industry experts and it is also a great networking opportunity for professionals in the signage, outdoor media, screen and digital printing industries.

IEC is expecting people from the region and also globally from across the GCC as Africa, the Sub Continent, Europe, Asia, CIS States, the US among other geographies to attend the show.

"The participation that we are seeing from both the exhibitors and trade visitors shows the growth potential of the industry despite challenging market conditions,” said Rahman.

“We are delighted to see a phenomenal first day at SGI Middle East 2013. The event showcased an impressive array of the latest product innovations from across the globe that is set to hit the market this year and we are confident that the following two days will see plenty of business being done," he added.

AIMS to hold seminar

Advanced Interactive Media Solutions (AIMS), the GCC market leader in digital signage solutions, will conduct a seminar on the topic “Customer engagement technology solutions” at SGI 2013.

AIMS is also sponsoring iMap 2.0 way-finding kiosks at the event, displaying the floor map of the exhibition area and all seminar schedules.

Ahmed ElRidi, CEO of AIMS, said: “The global digital signage market continues to expand as more businesses are taking advantage of digital signage technology to optimise their growth potential and reach out to a much broader customer base.”

“AIMS will discuss at the annual Sign & Graphic Imaging Middle East the latest innovations and developments that are driving customer engagement in digital signage, which we believe will be one of the top-trending topics at the event.

“This will be an excellent opportunity for key industry players to better understand the dynamics and nuances behind the rapid growth of the global digital signage market. Moreover, AIMS is likewise pleased to support the event with the installation of the state-of-the-art iMap 2 way-finding system, which is our way of demonstrating the powerful capabilities of digital signage technology,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service