BROADCAST & DIGITAL MEDIA COMPANIES CONVENE IN THE LARGEST CABSAT & SATELLITE MENA EVER

CABSAT & Satellite MENA Opens Tomorrow as International Companies Eye one of the World’s Fastest Growing Regions

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Over 700 broadcast & digital media technology companies from more than 50 countries around the world are now making their final preparations for one of the most important events on the industry’s agenda, CABSAT & Satellite MENA. Opening tomorrow, Tuesday 8 February at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the largest broadcast and digital media event in the MENA region will last for three days.

This sold out event welcomes industry players looking to capitalise on the opportunities throughout the Middle East including leading companies such as Al Yahsat, Arabsat, Blusens, Cetel, Dubai Studio City, Eutelsat, FOR-A, GlobeCast, Grass Valley, Gulfsat, Harris, Hitachi, Horizon Satellite Services, iDirect, Intelsat, JVC, Mediacast, Nilesat, Nynex, Panasonic, SES World Skies, Skyband, Sky Stream, Sony, Televes, Telespazio, Thomson Broadcast, Turksat, twofour54 and many more.

“Broadcast and Digital media technologies are increasingly evolving and contributing to the changing social, business and even political scenes throughout the world,” said Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of the event. “CABSAT & Satellite MENA will help companies in this specialised industry promote the latest innovations and gain future sales activity to capitalise on the growing market potential in the region.”

Wayne Borg, Chief Operating Officer of twofour54 said: “CABSAT & Satellite MENA is an excellent business driver without question, but it is also an essential meeting place for some of the largest companies in the industry to share insights, experience and knowledge. For twofour54, the event is fully in keeping with our philosophy of developing talent and fostering awareness in what is becoming an increasingly vital element of the economy and the community.”

CABSAT MENA will provide a platform for a wide range of products and services including Broadcast Equipment, Computer Graphics Software, Decoders, Lighting, Audio Equipment and Production & Post Production Equipment.

Dubai Studio City (DSC), the dedicated film and broadcast production free zone and a member of TECOM Investments' Media Cluster, will mark its continued support to CABSAT & Satellite MENA 2011 with this year's participation. With more than 434 licensed companies and home to 128 TV channels, Dubai Studio City's world-class infrastructure effectively makes it a one-stop destination for film production and broadcast value chain.

Held in conjunction with CABSAT, Satellite MENA has become the industry networking platform to explore business opportunities, formulate strategies and create partnerships for video, voice, data and IP communications over satellite.

“As one of the fastest growing communications markets in the world, CABSAT MENA is an absolute must for all members of our industry across the region. We have been attending for over a decade and the business that we see generated and the volume of leads and contacts that we have made makes this an invaluable event, said Awad Mousa, Head of Product Marketing, Sony Professional Solutions MEA. “Almost without exception, the most illustrious companies in the Cable and Satellite sector come to this show and Sony is proud to be at the forefront of this rapidly evolving market.”

CABSAT & Satellite MENA has transformed its conference for 2011. The two-day CABSAT Conference will feature industry leaders from some of the most experienced markets in the world, including Europe and the USA, plus the most recent papers from the International Broadcasting Convention. Sessions target both engineers and managers, with a clear focus on innovation and technology and was developed on behalf of CABSAT by a team from Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), International Association of Broadcast Manufacturers (IABM) and Middle East Communications Industries Association (MECIA).

A highlight of the programme is a panel discussion on training and skills development led by Peter White, the Director General of IABM which will focus on a major training initiative aimed at filling the skills gap globally. Other key speakers at the conference include Dr Fares Lubbadeh, Technical Director, Arab Radio & Television, Thomas Heinzer. CTO, Nevion and Gavin Campion, President, KIT Digital Inc amongst others.

The conference is one part of the knowledge exchange opportunities that are available under the broad umbrella of the CABSAT Academy, sponsored by twofour54 tadreeb. The second programme is the GVF Satellite Summit. This one day programme supports the satellite sector and is presented in conjunction with industry body, Global Vsat Forum on 9 February.

CABSAT also offers visitors a chance to take a break and enjoy some excellent content. The Chillout Zone, sponsored by Sony, is a haven of the best HD and stereoscopic 3D content. Finally, recognising the finest in content, technology and service, ITP Digital Studio Awards will be a part of CABSAT for the first time. The event takes place in the Al Multaqa Ballroom in the Dubai World Trade Centre, adjacent to the exhibition on 8 February.

CABSAT MENA & Satellite MENA 2011 will run from 8-10 February 2011 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The exhibitions are strictly for trade and business only and will open from 10am – 6pm on the 8-9 February and 10am – 5pm on 10 February. Onsite registration is available. University students will be permitted entry on 10 February only and must be accompanied by a facility member. Visitors under the age of 18 will not be permitted entry. Pre-register now at www.cabsat.com.