ArabLab secures top spot with more space, new specialist sectors and an environmental spin-off

The addition of 12% more exhibition space, the development of a new dedicated show sector FoodLab, and the launch of a specialist environmental technology show, to sit alongside the main exhibition, has secured ArabLab’s position as one of the world’s leading events for the analytical industry. David Domoney, Managing Director of the ArabLab Group highlighted the growth of the show when he revealed, today, that 90% of the space available for the 2015 event has already been sold.

Domoney explained; “The 2015 version of ArabLab will be the 32nd iteration of the show and we have worked hard to maintain its relevance and value to a market that has changed considerably over the intervening three decades. That we have succeeded, is reflected in the position the show holds today as one of the pre-eminent events for the analytical industry anywhere in the world.”

Last year’s event attracted over 11,000 visitors from 101 countries reinforcing ArabLab’s role as a shop window for laboratory technology notably in the Middle East, Africa, China and Asia. Exhibition space was at a premium last year with the organizers having to open up additional space to satisfy demand. For 2015 the plan has been to add space right from the outset so that all companies that wish to exhibit can.

“Last year we had 912 companies, from all over the world, book space at ArabLab,” said Domoney. “This time we wanted to be ahead of the curve, with a floor plan in place so exhibitors had more choice of space. Nevertheless, at just 4months out we are 90% sold and once again are having to look at our options.

“Staying relevant for such a diverse industry is a constant challenge,” he said. “We have developed specialist show sectors allowing both visitors and exhibitors to focus on their core interests. For 2015 we have added FoodLab to join the existing BioLab, PetroLab, MediLab and NanoLabs sectors. Foodlab has been designed to provide specialist analytical manufacturers with the opportunity to meet technicians and analysts working in the food sector. With increasing concerned over the safety and provenance of food this is certainly a growing sector.”

Perhaps the greatest change for 2015 is the addition of a spin-off show Envirotec, which will run alongside ArabLab at the Dubai Exhibition Centre 23rd – 26th March 2015. It will provide specialist exhibitors with a highly focussed platform to market their products to an equally specialist group of visitors.

Commenting on the launch David Domoney said; “We took the decision to launch Envirotec in response to the steadily growing interest in the environmental technology sector from many of the existing ArabLab exhibitors. The move will allow ArabLab to expand, taking in new exhibitors who will find a natural home under the Envirotec umbrella.”

The format of Envirotec will follow a similar profile to that of its well-established parent, with the show providing both exhibition space and a series of high-profile seminars. Over the 4 days the Envirotec seminars will run in five themed channels. The AirTEC seminars, which will provide an effective learning source in clean air technology; the SoilTEC seminars, focussing on instrumentation in the soil testing sector; the PolluTEC seminars, which will look at the analytical approach to a better environment; WasteTEC seminars providing a research source for controlled waste management; and finally the WaterTEC seminars which will look at efficient control and management for water quality.