The total spend on interior design in the GCC is expected to top $56bn in 2012

Two interiors events – Index International Design Exhibition and The Office Exhibition – will come together in 2013 to create an ‘Interiors Super Show’ for the Middle East and North Africa’s (Mena) architect and design community.

The decision to bring these two established brands together was taken after several months of extensive research into the changing landscape of the global interiors market, and to further support the continuing evolution of the Index International Design Exhibition; an event that is already recognised as the region’s largest and most established interiors exhibition, according to the organiser dmg :: events.

As the total spend on interior design in the GCC is expected to top $56 billion in 2012, more and more manufacturers and suppliers are expanding and diversifying their range of products and services to target the entire spectrum of interiors fit-out and refurbishment projects.

Equally, more and more architect and design companies are expanding their consultancy capabilities to cross the boundaries between commercial, residential, hospitality and retail design in order to chase lucrative fit-out projects across the region, which last year were valued at an astounding $8.6 billion.

Index event director Naomi Barton commented: “I am delighted that The Office Exhibition will become part of the Index International Design Exhibition next year.  The Office Exhibition has already cemented its place within the Middle East commercial design industry, but the synergy with Index makes perfect strategic sense, and we look forward to driving the show forward.   By adding new profiles, developing the show and attaching the show to a larger regional design show, The Office Exhibition can only benefit and grow organically to become the region’s premier commercial design event.”

Maintaining its own brand identity, The Office Exhibition will however become an integral part of Index, and will remain fully focused on showcasing the most innovative and creative working environments for offices, sports venues, and education and healthcare facilities, as well as a range of other commercial environments.

Index will continue to focus on supporting the region’s demand for the latest residential, hospitality and retail-related interior products and services across its existing 11 show sectors (Furnishings, Furniture, Fixtures and Fittings, Couture, Kitchen and Bathroom, Lighting, Outdoor Living, InRetail, Textiles, Inspire and Surfaces and Finishes).

With an 11-year history and attracting a large number of architects, interior designers, specifiers and procurement managers to the show, The Office Exhibition will create an additional 9,800 sq m of space at Index 2013.  With 54 per cent of the Index’s 27,000 visitors being involved in commercial interiors projects, The Office Exhibition will potentially see its visitor numbers treble next year.

David Wilson, exhibition director for The Office Exhibition 2012, added: “This is the home that The Office Exhibition has been waiting for – a home where the cutting-edge innovation that the commercial design community is renowned for will prosper and thrive with larger numbers of visitors coming from more countries. It is the perfect marriage.”

The Index International Design Exhibition 2013, incorporating The Office Exhibition, will take place from May 20 to 23, 2013 at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Dubai, UAE and will feature more than 1,300 exhibitors spread across 55,000 sq m, representing top international brands from more than 50 countries.