Dubai World Game Expo 2010

Dubai – United Arab Emirates, November 29 ^th 2010: H.H. Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority inaugurated today the third edition of the Dubai International Character and Licensing Fair, Dubai World Game Expo and MYCONTENT at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition centre.

The inauguration was followed by a tour around the exhibition area where H.H. was introduced to over 210 local and international exhibiting companies, from the fields of electronic and internet games, game development, cartoon characters, in addition to a number of TV and radio production associations, movie making, mobile TV, digital content, media content, and trade companies.

H.H. was also introduced to the services provided by the exhibiting companies, who came from 59 countries including Iran, South Korea, and for the first time, Malaysia. In addition there are 300 cartoon characters participating in the show, where the local participation had registered 40%. The combined event is expected to attract more than 10,000 visitors over three days.

The event’s agenda features a number of activities including; the “entertainment content summit”, the “Dubai World Game Summit” and the “Dubai World Game Championship”. The topics included will discuss intensive information about licensing and promoting the contents internationally and protecting their intellectual property. As for the game summit, it will be all about the game development, the game industry and the educational and cultural aspects on games in the Middle East region.

Fifty three of the world’s specialists in this industry are participating in the summits sharing their studies, expertise and discussing relevant issues that would stimulate this business industry and attract more investment opportunities to the United Arab Emirates and the region.

Mr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, President of INDEX Holding and chairman of Arab Asian Entertainment Content and Licensing Alliance said: “the third edition of the Dubai World Game Expo and the Dubai International Character and Licensing Fair is an addition to the success achieved during the past two years. We also have great expectations for the MYCONTENT which is being held for the first time to create a perfect platform for all specialists in the field of media content and TV production from the Middle East and North Africa, to meet and discuss the latest updates of this industry, and benefit from the many experiences.

Mr. Al Madani also added that the MYCONTENT gives opportunities for local talents to market their work and introduce their Emarati culture and traditions to the world through promoting local Emarati productions. The market had witnesses a lot of Emarati productions lately, which had gained a huge success and prosperity in the past few years.

“The Event’s participation had increased by 20% this year, and we are expecting more than 10,000 visitors to attend this prestigious event. I would like also to submit my gratitude for H.H. Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his continuous support for the show. And I also would like to thank all the governmental authorities who contributed to the success of this event.

Character Dubai is highly considered one of the pioneer business events held in Dubai, and one of its kind in the MENA region. The great success that was achieved through the past few years is a clear indicator to the success of this industry, while character Dubai is keen to stimulate the licensing industry and the property rights of cartoon characters in the Middle East markets. Character Dubai also highlights the role of the promising markets, which has all the potential to become one of the largest markets dedicated for international licensing in the future.

Laila Suhail, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment commented that: “Character Dubai was instrumental in initiating the character and licensing industry in the Middle East and that DEPE’s insight into the industry was responsible for the creation of the hugely successful character Modhesh”. 

Suhail said that: “Modhesh World, one of the best known family entertainment destinations in the region, would open its doors to visitors on June 22nd, 2011, and for the first time would continue to operate after Dubai Summer Surprises 2011 to include the periods of the Holy month of Ramadan and the joyous occasion of Eid Al Fitr.”

She also said that: “the development of Modhesh from a simple character in the year 2000 to a children’s icon in the region and a stand-alone brand that generated direct and indirect annual revenues of up to 100 million Dhs in the past 2 years, was truly an exciting journey for DEPE and a clear evidence on the potential for iconic characters in this part of the world.”

Marty Brochstein, the Vice President of the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers Association (LIMA) said: “LIMA is very pleased to participate for the third consecutive year in Character Dubai, which we consider as one of the best global organizations specialized in the trademark and character licensing businesses. LIMA’s mission is to foster the growth of licensing as a strategic business model around the world, and we think that our support to Character Dubai comes in line with our business objective, including the licensing process done outside and inside the Middle East.  We wish the organizers and the attendees a very successful and fruitful event, and I would like to thank everyone who give an effort to raise this industry in the region.”

Character Dubai is the only event in the Middle East and North Africa that attracts such a large number of investors and businessmen interested in this industry. In addition, it provides the perfect medium for representatives, manufacturers, designers, exporting and importing companies to meet and conduct business.

Children will have the opportunity to meet their favorite characters such as; “JUMJUM”, “Modhesh”, “Shabiat Al Cartoon” and other famous local and international characters. Also, there will be a very remarkable attendance by a lot of international Cartoon characters such as; “Cartoon Network”, “Warner Brothers”, “Telemondo” and more.

The combined event also introduces a number of fun activities including; a number of entertaining shows for children, interesting workshops for students to learn techniques about cartoon painting and drawing introduced by art specialists. Moreover, the organizers dedicated an area for talented youth called “Youth Street” in support for local talented students to showcase their paintings and photographs. 

In another context, the Dubai World Game Expo – which is running in conjunction with Character Dubai, is the only event in the Middle East that focus on Electronic and computer games, and game development. This unique event attracts game developers, investors and licensors from all parts of the world to the Middle East Market, which is considered one of the biggest importing markets for this industry – estimated in tens of billions of dollars. The Dubai World Game Expo offers wide opportunities of video games, computer games, electronic games, mobile games and entertainment programs.

The event features the 3rd Annual World Game Championship - a unique and competitive platform for gamers in the region.  The competition is attended by a big number of game lovers and experts who comes to participate and witness the announcement of the National Team that will represent the UAE at the World Cyber Games.

Al Wasl Football Company – one of the pioneer companies in the UAE, is taking part for the first time in this combined event. The national company is looking forward to access to opportunities for sponsorships and obtain local and international promotion through their participation, as one of the most popular sports brands in the region.

For this year, Character Dubai, Game Expo and MYCONTENT had received a lot of support from local and international organizations, who believe in this industry and this region. The combined event is sponsored by; twofour54, Iran National Foundation of Computer Games, Sony Computer Entertainment, Epic Game, Anayou Empire of Sports, JUMJUM World, Turner CN Enterprises, Digital Broadcast Middle East and supported by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment – Modhesh World, the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers Association (LIMA), Dubai Press Club, Arab Media Forum, Seoul Business Agency, Dubai Convention Bureau, GCC Gulf Radio & TV Organization, Joint Program Production Institution, International Television Expert Group.

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Nada Saaydeh

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