The 13th Annual Middle East Council of Shopping Centres (MECSC) Convention has expanded to include a new Retail Zone as part of the two-day event.

The event will be opened by Sultan bin Sulayem at 10.30am on April 21 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The event which attracts everyone from leading shopping centre owners, developers and managers through to real estate professionals, PR/marketing practitioners, architects and bankers will showcase current trends and the future of Retail Realty in the Middle East.

Now in its 13th year the annual convention has secured several high profile international guest speakers including Dr Kjell Nordstrom, Karim Rashid and Eric Kuhne, who will address best practices, environmental sustainability, investment and development, relative to the Gulf region.

The convention will welcome the big players in the retail realty sector including Nakheel who is expected to make an exciting announcement, Aldar, Colliers, Dubai Properties, Emaar Malls Group, Burjuman, Grand Optics and Ovaz Marketing & Investment, said an official spokesman.

In 2007 the convention expanded to include a Leasing Fair and Trade Expo.  This year the Trade Exhibition portion of the event will also include a dedicated Retail Zone designed to showcase existing brands and newcomers seeking to expand their presence in the region.

“Featuring fashion, food & beverage and specialty brands the Retail Zone adds another dimension to the Convention,” said regional director, Middle East Council of Shopping Centres, Kim Redman.

Among the exhibitors in the new Retail Zone is Hot Brands International, who is known for creating and providing high quality ethic food concepts throughout its outlets Shamiana, Magic Wok, Sala Thai, Santino’s, Sugoi! as QSR’s and  Haru, Da Shi Dai, and Pane Caldo  located in leading shopping malls within the region. 
 
“At this year’s MECSC convention we will highlight our entry into the Casual Dining Restaurant (CDR) sector and introduce visitors to the Retail Zone to delectable Japanese cuisine,” said vice-chairman and CEO of Hot Brands International Avinash Bal.

This year’s event has attracted several first-time exhibitors including Yellow Hat (largest Car Accessory Retailers and Service Providers in the world), Blueprint Projects (the UK’s leading designer and manufacturer of Retail Merchandise Units) and FEC International (Design and Realisation of Entertainment Centres).  – TradeArabia News Service