Director General of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO) HE Mona Ghanem Al Marri today inaugurated the 6th InfoComm Middle East and Africa, the region’s largest professional audiovisual event at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Being organised under the theme ‘Audiovisual Communications in a Hyperconnected World’, the event seeks to drive the region’s professional audiovisual take-up and the exchange of global best practices. InfoComm MEA is being held for the first time as a standalone event.

HE Mona Ghanem Al Marri said: “The UAE is already one of the fastest-growing professional audiovisual markets in the Middle East and the economic growth opportunities in the country will add to the growth momentum of this market. The expansion of key sectors, and the growing number of mega events in Dubai will be an important driver of the market. InfoComm MEA creates a valuable platform for networking and knowledge sharing that are necessary for the industry to tap new opportunities for growth.”

The UAE market is set to reach USD 1.2 billion in 2016, which represents 35 percent growth from 2014, while the Middle East’s professional audiovisual market is set to reach USD 2.8 billion in 2016, a growth of 34 percent, according to a recent report by industry group InfoComm International.

“Mega-events like Expo 2020, sporting matches such as 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, and music festivals and concerts across the Middle East need to have the unique audio, lighting, and video production to provide a high-impact, fully-immersive visitor and fan experience,” said Nour Assafiri, CEO of Martin Professional Middle East, one of the world’s largest creators of lighting and video systems.

Holograms, massive videoboards, and state-of-the-art audio and lighting displays will be among the audiovisual innovations set to make Expo 2020 in Dubai the world’s most technologically advanced event.

Beyond mega-events, audiovisual solutions will also be vital in two of the fastest-growing sectors in the UAE and Middle East – retail and hospitality. High-quality audio, digital signage, ultra-high definition 4K LED walls, digital wayfinding, and room control are the audiovisual solutions that are making major inroads, enhancing the shopping and guest experiences.

“Sound is one of the key elements that support a positive experience. Capturing audio is a crucial start of delivering great sound and our goal at InfoComm is to educate the market and introduce them to innovative solutions to do this,” said Chicco Hiranandani, Director of Sales and Marketing, Shure Middle East and Africa.

Sharing global best practices in retail and hospitality, InfoComm MEA partners include the Association of Professional Interior Designers and Middle East Council of Shopping Centers.

InfoComm MEA is also hosting the first co-located Digital Signage Summit, organized by Invidis Consulting. The Summit is bringing a stronger focus on digital signage’s use cases across a wide range of industry verticals, from retail to hospitality and transportation.

On the back end of every venue, the management needs instant access to real-time dashboards for their audiovisual systems – with instant insights on crowd reaction, guest enjoyment, and the quality of audio and lighting systems.

“Control rooms are vital for mission critical 24/7 applications, and the rise of the GCC’s Smart Cities is seeing a burst of demand for control rooms that can work in large venues from malls to arenas, and enhance city services from smart traffic to utilities. Control rooms need to be future-proofed to meet the changing technology and urban needs to the next decade and beyond,” said Alistair Duthie, Regional Manager – UK and Middle East, at Mitsubishi Electric, which is showcasing its new narrow pixel pitch LED display.

InfoComm MEA 2016 is expected to host more than 3,000 visitors, and more than 120 manufacturers from over 20 countries, along with an engaging Summit conference programme.

“InfoComm MEA has seen strong participation from exhibitors, and we expect another robust year of business deals and partnerships in professional audiovisual solutions. As a standalone event, InfoComm MEA is bringing focused attention to specific solutions, deeper engagement between exhibitors and visitors, and exchanging knowledge with the top industry speakers,” said David Lim, Project Director, InfoCommAsia Pte Ltd, the organizers of InfoComm MEA.

InfoComm MEA runs from 6-8 December 2016 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. For more information and to register for free, visit www.infocomm-mea.com.