More than 6,000 visitors, 200 business meetings, 30 business deals, many B2B collaborations during the 3-day Expo

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More than 6,000 visitors, 200 business meetings, 30 business deals, many B2B collaborations during the 3-day Expo

The Middle East's biggest Expo on impairments, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, concluded on a highly effective note with an excellent visitor turnout and strong company engagement during its three-day run.

AccessAbilities Expo 2016 had more than 6,000 visitors consisting of top- tier authorities and decision makers, kids with disabilities and their households, agents of personal companies from health care, tourist, education, telecommunication, innovation and provider, who checked out most current ingenious innovations, company chances, shared understanding and experiences and forged partnerships.

More than 150 exhibitors from over 30 nations participated in the Expo at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

The Expo had a strong government support consisting of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Dubai Municipality, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Department of Economic Development (DED), Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, Community Development Authority (CDA) and Dubai Customs showcasing their most current efforts and services for individuals with impairments in addition to from top special education centres from across the GCC. dnata showcased its new center 'Eagle Lift' and other unique services. Mouza Saeed, Special Handling Manager with dnata, said they received lots of queries from the visitors keen on availing of their special services.

AccessAbilities likewise saw effective hosting of 'Knowledge Centre' and active involvement from the visitors in a dedicated 'Activities Area'.

A total of 200 offers were entered into between the exhibitors and participating organisations throughout the three-day Expo, which had more than 30 conferences.

Commenting on the program, Sameerah Bint Abdullah Al Faisal Al Farhan Al Saud, President of Charitable Society of Autism Families and President of Saudi Schizophrenia Charity Association, stated: "AccessAbilities Expo is a really essential event as it brings together professionals, care givers and product suppliers all on a typical platform, under one roofing. The Expo has actually helped us understand about the latest services, tools and centers which can benefit people having impairments.".

Individuals from GCC countries stated the Expo gave them a remarkable chance to connect with other organisations and private entities from across the GCC along with other areas worldwide.

Dr Tareq Al-Shatti, Director General Kuwait's Public Authority for the Disabled stated: "AccessAbilities Expo has brought all stakeholders together on a single platform and offered us an opportunity to exchange understanding and experiences. Some of the most current smart assistive technology particularly interested us and throughout the Expo we even set up with some of the exhibitors to have further cooperation.

The exhibitors said the Expo not just gave them an understanding into the most recent innovations, it turned out to be a highly satisfying experience for them.

International exhibitor German Limbtech, which provides state-of-the art orthotic and prosthetic gadgets, stated it likes opening a Centre of Excellence in Dubai. Wendelin Lauxen, Managing Director, German LimbTech Orthopaedic Technology, said: "During the AccessAbilities Expo, we saw Dubai's efforts to offer the very best centers to boost the lives of people with impairments. We are eager to open a centre of excellence in Dubai.".

Lauxen stated AccessAbilities Expo offered an opportunity for the business to connect to its potential purchasers. "We got an extremely positive reaction during the exposition from decision-makers, private entities and visitors with impairments. We look forward to participating in the next edition of the Expo.".
Mawfaq Matari, Managing Partner, AMMT, said: "We are very delighted to have actually participated in AccessAbilities Expo. I consider this show as a starting point for a much larger show in the future. There is an alarming need to hold such occasions that concentrate on the needs of individuals with disabilities. We had 'quality' visitors. I enjoyed to see the visitors with disabilities did not have to go through much trouble to see the items on display. The occasion was focused and combined all items of interest under one roofing system. The exhibition was well laid out and visitors with impairments could finish seeing the exhibition in one day. Likewise the majority of the government departments existed here and they were quickly available. We excitedly anticipate the next edition of this Expo.".

Italian exhibitor Troncone stated motivated by the significant reaction got at the Expo, the business is planning to have a representative office in Dubai.
Stephano, CEO, Troncone, said: "We got a very motivating reaction and had a lot useful of networking conferences. We see a high need for our unique wheelchair and are now preparing to have a representative workplace in Dubai.".

Bilal Bihag, Product Manager for Home Care, OTP, said: "It was a well-organised event and the feedback was very favorable. We had a great deal of queries from end-users, especially for our wheelchairs. It was interesting to see how a lot of companies came together under one roofing to accommodate the requirements of people with disability. It was also good to understand the government supporting this effort and I want to see more such events in the future. We look forward to participating in the next edition of the Expo.".

Dr Abdullah Al Yosef, Managing Director, JCI Medical Solutions, which exhibited a range of impairment equipment, said, "We have a sense of fulfilment that we might rope in companies to exhibit the current innovations and services for the benefit of people with various disabilities.".

Mariya Ivanova, Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Mafraq Hotel, stated: "For tourist to be available, it is necessary that hotels are well prepared. At Mafraq Hotel, we have 6 accessible spaces and our personnel is well trained to deal clients with different types of impairments. At AccessAbilities Expo, we explored newest ingenious innovation from all over the world. Through our involvement, which is a part of our CSR efforts, we were likewise able to show our assistance to people having impairments.".

Sam Abboushi, CEO of SAFE Mobility, said: "The exceptional feedback from visitors gives us the motivation to bring more products and services in the future. People with disabilities in this region require custom-made products and services, and we are positive that we can provide them.".
Global professionals from UK, Switzerland, Germany, India, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE discussed essential concerns worrying individuals with impairments throughout sessions at the 'Knowledge Centre' in the Expo. People with disabilities likewise shared their life stories throughout the forum, inspiring the audience.

Sharan Anil, an artist from Mawaheb from Beautiful individuals, who shared his life experience during a session at the Knowledge Centre, said: "It was an excellent experience to share my story. I was overwhelmed by the response, lots of people approached me for a job. It was likewise fantastic to see all the medical equipment and technology that can assist a person with disability improve the quality of their life.".

Families who checked out the Expo stated the Expo provided them access some of the current items, which will be of excellent usage to them.
"Till I visited the exposition, I never pictured that I could find the custom-made solution and relevant design which I was searching for elsewhere for my daughter who has an impairment. I thank the organisers for this terrific help," said Faizal Ahmed, a Dubai citizen.

The Expo also offered volunteering chances to youngsters from the region. Fatima Al Jassim, 20, Emirati, Media Head of Al Mammom Equine Therapy, who volunteered at the Expo: "The chance to volunteer at AccessAbilities was a remarkable experience for me considering that I am also differently-abled. I got an opportunity to meet so many individuals from my neighborhood, found out a lot by connecting with others.

AccessAbilities Expo was organised by Reed Exhibitions Middle East and Nadd AlShiba Public Relations and Event Management.
Daniyal Qureshi, Group exhibit Director, Reed Exhibitions Middle East, stated: It has actually been an exceptional success. We are pleased that the government, disability centres, technology carriers and neighborhood have come together so cohesively. There were many offers struck at the show and new collaborations developed between some of the countries participating. We look forward to bringing all our partners as well as more back to the 2017 edition in partnership with Dubai Government and AccessAbilities Expo will blaze a trail for addition and empowerment for individual with impairments in the area.".