Hamdan bin Rashid opens INDEX 2012

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance today inaugurated INDEX 2012, the Middle East and North Africa's largest and longest established Interiors and Design Exhibition, here at the at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The four -day exhibition organised by dmg :: events Middle East is taking place for the 22nd consecutive year and brings together local and international interior design companies and industry professionals. Commenting on the show's opening, Frederique Maurell, INDEX Event Director, said: "We are honoured to have H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, here today to inaugurate INDEX 2012; the support that we have been receiving from the UAE government for the last 22 years has helped us to become recognised as the leading design exhibition in the MENA region. "With four completely new product specific show sectors and new exciting features for 2012, such as the Design Cinema and the Ignite Pecha Kucha style presentations, we are expecting to attract and inspire tens of thousands of visitors and to provide them with a fulfilling professional experience," she added. Covering 34,000m2 of floor space, INDEX 2012 hosts over 900 exhibitors presenting their latest products and innovations to the region. Featuring ten product specific shows - Furniture, Furnishings, Couture, Kitchen '&' Bathroom, Lighting, Textiles, Outdoor Living, Inspire, InRetail, Surfaces '&' Finishes - and 20 national pavilions, INDEX gives visitors a comprehensive overview of the latest in international design and interiors trends. "INDEX, is not only the right place for interior design professionals from the MENA region to source products and new ideas for their projects from local and international design brands and manufacturers, but provides them with a prefect platform to network and discuss about industry's hot topics with some of the market's gurus" said Ms Maurell. INDEX Design Talks, the free to attend programme of seminars, kicked off today with inspiring sessions held by Rob Cooke, Associate at Buro Happold; Richard Gomersall, Founding Partner of Insight With Passion; Isabella Magalhaes, Design Director at Esadore International; Mr Joel Carboni, President of Green Project Management. The Talks will continue tomorrow covering topics such as "Right Light, Right Place, Right Time" with David McNeill, Associate, dpa lighting consultants FZ LLC Dubai, UAE; "High Performance Leather for Interior Design Applications" with Jean-Marie Gigante, General Manager, Al Khaznah Tannery ; and "Trends and Developments in the Retail Sector" by Sana Toukan, Research Manager - Middle East, Euromonitor International.