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Expo News

Smart technology focus at Abu Dhabi expo

01 January 2008

Smart technologies and innovative systems that optimise building performance will be put under the spotlight at Intelligent Building Gulf exhibition and conference will be held in Abu Dhabi from April 20 to 23.

This event will take place simultaneously with three other building shows under the umbrella of the Building Futures Gulf by Batimat exhibition and conference, which is organised by Reed Exhibitions Middle East in association with the International Union of Architects (UIA),
To be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the umbrella event will consist of four shows devoted to high-performance buildings and will include Intelligent Building Gulf, HVAC Gulf (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning products and services), Structure Gulf (structural products and components) and Envelope Gulf (facade systems and joinery).
The four shows target architects and designers, consultants, engineers, property developers, equipment distributors, contractors and industry associations.
According to Leonard Lecoq, show manager, Intelligent Buildings Gulf will fill the gap for a specialised show focused on intelligent solutions for the building sector and will offer providers of security, climate management, networking, renewable energy, access control and lighting management solutions, an ideal platform to target decision-makers.
“Our research has shown that decision-makers in the building sector give little or no importance to integrating advanced technology solutions into their building projects at the initial stage. We think there are two reasons for this: firstly, there is a lack of awareness of new technologies in the sector and, secondly, because service providers have focused excessively on the technological aspects rather than on the value their solutions can bring to the end-user,” he says.
“Through Intelligent Buildings Gulf, it is our intent to impress upon decision-makers the importance of making investments in intelligent building technologies at a very early stage in the project so that the pay-back on their investments can be maximised,” he adds.
In parallel with Intelligent Building Gulf, Intelligent Building Group (IBG), an international association of leading professionals from all sectors of the industry, will conduct an industry conference, providing an insight on the growth of intelligent buildings worldwide and how the region can benefit from the global experience.
Martyn Harrold, chairman of IBG, adds: “We are pleased to contribute and lend our support to Building Futures Gulf by Batimat, by taking a lead role in organising the Intelligent Building Gulf conference. The conference’s sessions will focus on how the application of the intelligent building concept can enhance the user experience in malls, retail outlets, hotels and residences. Speakers will also shed light on the Eco Data Centre concept, the impact buildings have on the carbon footprint and the complex factors at play in the building of intelligent cities.”