Index, the GCC design community’s main show, is set to take place next month (September 17 to 19) at Dubai World Trade Centre as a part of the newly launched Middle East Design and Hospitality Week 2019.

The main focus of the 29th edition, which is expected to host more than 500 exhibitors, will continue to be residential and hotel projects with some Expo 2020 related fit-out works commencing early this year. The hospitality sector is expected to hold the majority of total spend on interior design and fit-out this year, said a Ventures Onsite’s Interiors Market Report. 

Dean ... delivery of products within tight timelines is of paramount importance.

Commenting on the challenges designers face when working on projects in the hotel sector, Pallavi Dean, founder of Roar, explained that delivery of products within tight timelines is of paramount importance. Husain Roomi, co-founder of H2R Design, added that another challenge was “sourcing materiality that we can push boundaries with, and that positively surprise the environment”. 

In addition to the hospitality sector, the UAE and Saudi Arabia have undertaken major renovation and refurbishment programmes, respectively, to upgrade old public buildings using sustainable products and smart technology, the Ventures Onsite report said.

Tony Crinion, portfolio director – dmg events Design Division, said: “Index Dubai has been an integral event for the design community in the Middle East and North Africa for 28 years. The primary purpose of the show is to deliver an event which listens and responds to the market it serves. With a focus on the hospitality and fit-out sectors, we are very excited to be hosting a worldwide selection of products for visitors to meet, source from and have long-lasting successful relationships with.”

Companies participating at Index Dubai include Belair, Bloomr, Caimi Brevetti, Creative Closets, CUF Milan, Gie El, Indus Heritage Trust, Le Jahaan, Quadrifoglio Sistemi D’Arredo, Ceramiche Refin, Seteria Bianchi, Vg – Vgnewtrend – Jupiter International, Vzor, Lunares, and Meissen, the oldest porcelain manufactory in Europe, to name a few.

Index will be co-located with The Hotel Show Dubai, Workspace, The Leisure Show, Surface Design Middle East, FIM, and Index Home.