Following three decades of continued modernisation, GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK will this year further evolve showcasing new features which reflect regional and global trends, offering new highlights to exhibitors and attendees alike.
GITEX 2011, taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre from 9 - 13 October, is introducing brand new elements to reinforce its position as the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region's leading 'finger on the pulse' technology event. As one of the three largest ICT exhibitions in the world, the show connects more than 136,000 industry professionals from five continents with over 3,500 suppliers, and is one of the most influential and high-profile events in the global ICT sector today.
“GITEX strives year-on-year to drive the regional ICT market and provide a platform for the world’s most influential technology businesses to share their knowledge and products on the essential issues of the day. Following the event’s extremely successful 30th anniversary last year, we committed to adding even more cutting edge components in order for GITEX to strengthen its top 3 global ranking. The result is an evolution of the event’s programme, its exhibition floor plan, its conference features, and its international audience reach,” said Trixee Loh, SVP, World Trade Centre, organiser of the event.
“The need for a comprehensive international ICT event that features the most important aspects of today’s technology industry is vital for the Middle East,” said XXX, CEO Microsoft Middle East. “GITEX is at the forefront of driving ICT business in the region and bringing leading technology companies together to showcase their most innovative products. GITEX has always offered Microsoft the opportunity to reach new clients and introduce them to our latest services, and with the essential elements that GITEX is adding this year, the potential is even greater and I’m sure the results will reflect that.”
XXX CEO Oracle Middle East said: “With the introduction of these features, once again we see GITEX delivering exactly what the industry demands. Digital Marketing, Cyber Security, Digital Card Technology and Mobile Apps are more relevant to businesses now than ever before and Oracle is committed to making sure visitors to GITEX have access to the very best products on the market. The event is not only keeping the industry informed and up to date, it is bringing together international buyers, suppliers and potential partners which will add a new dimension to business technology in the Middle East.”
Under the 2011 theme of “Redefine the Future” GITEX will address the issues most relevant to the region’s businesses.
With 82.6 percent of PCs in the UAE infected by some form of malware, there has been no better time to raise the regional awareness of internet viruses/malware and internet security issues across the Middle East. As the region’s business hub, it is vital that the UAE protects itself from malicious attacks and cybercrime. The brand new CyberSecurity @ GITEX edutainment feature will offer presentations on cybercrime awareness and how to avoid falling into traps including web phishing site, mobile phones credit card scanning and cloning, and identity theft. Live demonstrations will give visitors practical advice on how to defend against attacks across a variety of platforms.
Also new to GITEX 2011, GITEX Digital Marketing is an opportunity to assess, evaluate and realise the full potential of what is becoming an essential business tool. Digital marketing is being employed by businesses in the Middle East as consumers utilize social media, smartphones and tablet PCs contributing to the increased use of digital media. With the introduction of fiber-optic, high-speed internet, demonstrable increases in broadband penetration, coupled with an insatiable appetite to engage with a digital world via a multitude of mediums, GITEX Digital Marketing presents a host of digital opportunities to an emerging market. GITEX Digital Marketing brings a combination of internet commerce and all things “e” together in a multi-dimensional platform – an eco-system of digital media agencies and service providers.
The new GITEX Card Technology feature will reflect and drive one of the most rapidly developing ICT sectors. From widespread use in the financial services sector to mobile phone sim cards, road toll systems, national ID cards and hospital records, the use of smart card technology, be it in contact or contactless format, continues to grow apace. In keeping with regional advancements, GITEX will again be expanding its profile to incorporate this increasingly important sector.
The Middle East is witnessing a communications revolution with the rapid adoption of the latest mobile technology and region-relevant content – the UAE has a 232 percent mobile phone penetration rate according to the World Economic Forum’s latest Global Information Technology report. Building on the hugely successful inaugural GITEX Mobile, Apps & Content World, the 2011 edition returns with an even stronger and more comprehensive presence.
The importance of ICT across Middle East government departments is reinforced by the increasing investment that countries are placing on governance. The UAE was forecasted to spend US$ 5 billion on ICT in the 12 months leading up to December 2010* and integrating knowledge-based economies with digital communities is vital. Government @ GITEX will provide an essential public sector element.
With the inaugural edition in 2010, the GITEX Cloud Confex has already become the largest cloud platform in the Middle East. The Cloud Confex incorporates two days of intense conferencing and a five day exhibition featuring leading international players, establishing the event as the premier route to market.
The 2011 GITEX Conference programme continues to evolve as an integrated business symposium with unprecedented levels of knowledge exchange and focused networking opportunities. The Global Conference agenda explores technology trends with a powerful combination of leading conferences including: Global Leaders Summit, with this year’s theme of innovating technology through creative leadership; GITEX Telecoms Symposium and the annual GITEX Cloud Confex, the largest cloud platform in The Middle East.
GITEX Technology Week, which is themed 'Redefine the Future' runs from 9 - 13 October 2011, at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.