Cairo, Egypt – Egypt’s exhibition industry showed signs of getting back on track with the announcement of new dates for two events that had been scrubbed amid political turmoil in the streets of Cairo.
The organizers of two February exhibitions at the Cairo International Conference Centre (CICC) told Trade Show Executive (TSE) they had rescheduled their events for late May and were looking forward to a new level of interest in the Egyptian market from international exhibitors and attendees.
“Multi-nationals and countries outside The Middle East have started viewing Egypt differently, believing the country will become more vital on all levels in the coming period, and that all adverse effects will present a concrete opportunity for investment and business in the future,” said Mona Mahmoud, event and forum director for Trade Fairs International in Cairo.
Trade Fairs International announced February 28 that it had rescheduled its Cairo ICT 2011 and Cairo MET 2011 to May 25-28. “We believe this date is appropriate to hold the fair and forum, after surveying the opinions of experts and officials who firmly trust the situation is heading towards stability in Egypt,” said Mahmoud.
EIN Trading & International Fairs, the organizers of Aquatherm – Egypt Pool notified their exhibitors and attendees the February 13-15 show at the CICC would not take place due to “the current political circumstances in Egypt.” There was no immediate word on new dates.
Also postponed were Windoorex and Metal & Steel, two February shows organized by Arabian German Exhibitions (AGEX). AGEX said on its website that new dates would be arranged with the CICC and other relevant authorities.
The CICC itself did not provide any updates on its status. The facility, which measures 58,000 square meters (624,306 square feet) overall, is located in Nasr City, between downtown Cairo and Cairo International Airport, and a distance from the focal point of the demonstrations that led to the departure of President Hosni Mubarak.
It is also adjacent to the venue of the Cairo International Fair (CIF), a consumer and regional trade show to be held for 20 days in March. The event traditionally hosts around two million visitors and occupies 40,000 gross square meters (430,566 square feet) of exhibit space. The event is run by an agency of the Egyptian government.
Reach Mona Mahmoud at (+202) 26910792/3/4 or mmahmoud@cairoict.com; Ramy El-Feqy of Aquatherm – Egypt Pool at+20 2 3383 1902 or info@aquathermeg.com; CIF main office at +20 2 2403 2968 or info@cairofair.com; AGEX at +20 2 240 26 479 or info@arabiangerman.com
