Cityscape Dubai 2008 another guaranteed sell out

World’s largest B2B real estate investment & development event grows to 75,000 square metres – 1,000 exhibitors expected as regional real estate boom continues despite global credit crunch

Building on the phenomenal success of Cityscape Dubai 2007, IIR Middle East, the organiser of Cityscape Dubai, has announced that this year’s event, which is now being extended to cover four days from 6 - 9 October 2008, is already a guaranteed sell out, with 1,000 exhibitors and 60,000 participants expected.

Having already grown by 25% and 27% respectively over the last two years, the premier event in its class is now set to occupy over 75,000 square metres of exhibition space, close to the Dubai International exhibition Centre (DIEC) capacity.

This is particularly impressive given the exponential growth since its 2002 debut which attracted a mere 1,000 participants. Commenting, Rohan Marwaha, Managing Director, Cityscape, stated, “Taking into consideration all of the firm commitments we have received to date, Cityscape Dubai 2008 is already a guaranteed sell out. For the past six years we have consistently grown the event and this year will be the biggest yet, not only in terms of exhibition space but also in terms of participants.”

“Despite the global credit crunch and the dramatic downturn in certain real estate markets such as the US, UK and Spain, the underlying strength and positive sentiment of the wider regional market is undisputed,” added Marwaha.


The final figures for the 2007 show make impressive reading by any international industry standards, confirming its position as the world’s largest business to business real estate investment and development event - 849 exhibitors, with 51,855 industry professionals participating from 136 countries.

Eager to associate their own brands with Cityscape and the astounding exposure to such a range and depth of high profile industry professionals, major international developers and investors have been quick to snap-up advertising and sponsorship opportunities.

To date regional heavyweights, Nakheel, Aldar Properties, Qatari Diar and Dar Al Arkan, Saraya Holdings and Tanmiyat Group have signed up as platinum sponsors. Abyaar Real Estate Development, Tameer and Aqaba Development Corporation, have opted for Gold sponsorship status, with Al Qudra Real Estate, MAG Property Development and Kazemir Aktau Development taking Silver.

Five parallel conferences will take place, attracting key investors, real estate developers, architects and designers amongst others. In addition to the hugely successful Cityscape Dubai Conference, new this year will be the Real Estate Leadership Strategy Forum and the Facilities & Asset Management Conference which will run in parallel with the more established Hotel & Tourism Investment & Development Conference and the perennial World Architectural Conference.

A key feature of Cityscape Dubai 2008 will once again be the Cityscape Architectural Awards 2008 – the most prestigious architectural awards platform for the emerging world to be held under the theme – "Design for an Emerging World".

The Awards will recognise and reward excellence in architecture and design for the emerging regions of the Gulf States, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Australasia (excluding Japan, New Zealand & Australia) and Latin America.

“Cityscape’s international brand value is beyond reproach with an unrivalled reputation as a comprehensive international series of B2B real estate events. Undoubtedly, once again Cityscape Dubai is being recognised as the most important event on the international industry calendar,” added Marwaha.