Amy Winehouse, Pharrell Willams with his band N*E*R*D and special guest Mike Posner to Perform at Gulf Bike Week 2011

Dubai-UAE: 12 December, 2010 –  Done Events today announced full live performances by top international artists Amy Winehouse and Pharrell Williams with his band N*E*R*D,  and special guest Mike Posner at the 2011 Gulf Bike Week

Thomas Ovesen, Chief Operating Officer, Done Events, said: “What better way to kick off the new year than to present top international artists, all performing for the first time ever for their Middle East fans. Having Pharrell Williams with his band N*E*R*D, Mike Posner and the amazing Amy Winehouse performing over the same weekend is a real scoop and will not only ensure a full house during the Gulf Bike Week event but will also kick off an amazing season of great entertainment in Dubai.”

In addition to the headline acts, Gulf Bike Week 2011 will also incorporate a special Rolling Stone Magazine stage with local and regional bands performing. Visitors can witness exciting stunts at the FMX Stunt Arena; a three-day GCC Motor-X Championship Run; performances of All-Terrain Vehicles in multiple races; live demonstrations at the ATV/UTV Zone; and the Middle East's largest motorbike ride in which over 800 people are expected to participate.

Christopher Hudson, Managing Director, MECOM Forums a Clarion Events Middle East partner, said: “It is a privilege to have such great artists performing during Gulf Bike Week 2011. Their musical talent, charisma and showmanship, electrifies audiences around the world and provides sheer entertainment consistently. Visitors and concertgoers are sure to leave with a memorable experience as these performers are the perfect complement to the adrenaline pumping Gulf Bike Week.”

To be held under the patronage of His Excellency Mohammed Bin Sulayem, FIA Vice-President for Sport and President of the Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) the Gulf Bike Week is expected to draw in 40,000 visitors.

The Gulf Bike Week 2011 is the Middle East’s only dedicated urban bike festival in the region. In 2010, the Gulf Bike Week attracted over 30,000 enthusiasts as well as over 14,000 concertgoers. In 2011, more than 150 exhibitors and lifestyle brands including Harley Davidson, Suzuki, Honda, KTM, Ducati, BMW, Kawasaki, Victory, Yamaha, Polaris, Pirelli, Ed Hardy, Bauhaus, and Oakley will be participating at the Gulf Bike Week.

About MECOM Forums

MECOM Forums is a Clarion Events Partner with offices in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. MECOM Forums, a Clarion Events Partner has grown into a highly successful business. In 2009, over 800,000 targeted people visited their 200 exhibitions, conferences and seated events across Britain, Europe, North and South America, Africa, Middle East and Asia.

The business-to-business and business-to-consumer, serve 15 different market sectors that include; Defence, Energy, Construction, Retail, Leisure, Entertainment, Finance and Life Sciences.

Clarion Events employs over 400 people in twelve offices: UK (London Earls Court Exhibition Centre, and Birmingham NEC); Germany (Bielefeld); The Netherlands (Maarsen); South Africa (Cape Town); USA (Connecticut and Reno): Brazil (Sao Paulo); United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi and Dubai); Singapore and Turkey.

More information on www.mecomforums.com.

Nexus Sees Insurance Business Grow by 35% In 2010; Bahrain AGM Hears how Gulf’s Largest Independent Insurance Brokerage is looking to Further Growth across all Business in 2011

Manama, Bahrain - Nexus, the region’s largest independent insurance brokerage, has seen an average 35 percent year-on-year growth in life, savings and general insurance sales to date in 2010, proving that the mind-set of people in the region is becoming more responsive to saving and the need to insure their assets.

The impressive growth in the life and savings business was 33 percent year to date – complemented by a 42 percent growth in general insurance (GI) business, according to figures presented at the Annual General Meeting in Bahrain on December 9.

Deputy CEO of Nexus, Tarun Khanna, said: “Nexus is striding forward after a demanding 2009 when many companies succumbed to the credit crisis. We have seen strong growth in 2010 across all our businesses and I am very excited about 2011 which I anticipate is going to be a great year for Nexus.”

“We are more prepared, more knowledgeable, we have a greater talent base, and we are investing more than ever in training for our people; all of which will enhance the services we offer our clients,” he added.       

“The general insurance side of the business is up and proving very strong. We now have 310 financial consultants working across the GCC and 20 plus of the world’s top insurance providers on board, and we are looking to increase our presence within the GCC in the next few years,” Khanna told AGM delegates.      

In July Nexus was presented with the prestigious “Best Takaful Brokerage” award at the International Takaful Summit in London in global recognition of its professional service to clients requiring Sharia compliant products.

“Nexus is a very responsive and ethical organisation that cares about giving quality advice to all its clients. Winning the Takaful award is recognition that as a company we are ready, and able, to embrace all forms of financial and insurance services to provide our clients with exactly what they want, to fulfil their individual needs,” commented Khanna.

       

The AGM saw the launch of a new Platinum Club for the top twenty financial consultants within Nexus. These twenty top consultants became the founding members of the club in recognition of their outstanding professional performance. Nexus has offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain and has plans for future expansion across the region in the coming year.

 About Nexus Group of Companies

Nexus is an exciting force in professional financial services. Our unique approach will help you and your family to accumulate and protect your wealth today and tomorrow.

At Nexus, our expertise and independence mean we are perfectly positioned to deliver the first-class service you deserve. As qualified professionals in wealth accumulation and protection, we are a company you can trust to understand your unique financial situation.

www.nexusadvice.com

Gulf Bike Week a New Addition to AMD’s World Championship Affiliate Program

Dubai-UAE: 09 December, 2010 – Clarion Events Middle East today announced the Gulf Bike Week as the latest custom motorcycle show to be added to the International Affiliate Program of the AMD Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building.

To be held under that patronage of His Excellency Mohammed Bin Sulayem, FIA Vice-President for Sport and President of the Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), the Gulf Bike Week will take place from February 10 to 12, 2011, at the Dubai Festival City and is designed to recognise and showcase the excellence of custom bike builders.

The event, now in its third year, is an established part of Dubai’s calendar, and Clarion Events Middle East, along with its supporters Harley Davidson of UAE and the 6^th Dubai Bike Week are preparing for the electrifying return of the annual Gulf Bike Week.

Robin Bradley, owner of the AMD Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building, said: “The World Championship Program is all about promoting custom bike design and engineering excellence and we are delighted to be able to work with Harley-Davidson of UAE and MECOM Forums to help showcase custom motorcycling for consumers in the Gulf.

“Rewarding the winning contestant at Dubai Bike Week's custom competition with the chance to compete against the world's best bikes, will help to further promote the market in the Middle East.”

The AMD Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building takes place at the world renowned Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, USA, and contestants entering their latest builds in the show in Dubai will compete to win a trip to Sturgis to participate in the World Championship.

Marcel Bode, General Manager, Harley-Davidson of UAE, said: “Harley-Davidson of UAE, founders of the Dubai Bike Week, is proud to be associated with the Gulf Bike Week. For 2011, Harley-Davidson of UAE and Dubai Bike Week have managed to affiliate the show with the AMD world championship of custom bike building. The Gulf Bike Week is a great platform for us to interact with potential prospects who would like to enter the Harley-Davidson lifestyle.”

In February 2011, biking enthusiasts from all over the Middle East will witness the highly anticipated event at Dubai Festival City, complete with performances and activities for the whole family.

The 6,800 sq m exhibition marquee is expected to draw in over 40,000 visitors and will showcase motorcycles and biking and lifestyle accessories from more than 150 leading manufacturers, including, Harley Davidson, Ducatti, BMW, Kawasaki, KTM, Honda, Victory and Polaris.

Christopher Hudson, Managing Director, Clarion Events Middle East, said:  “We are proud to be affiliated with the prestigious AMD Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building. Bringing together many of the world's finest custom bike builders and their machines, the championship will highlight the artistry and craftsmanship of the bike builders who engineer motorcycling perfection and contribute to the evolution of two-wheeled transport for future generations.”

The Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building includes over 23 events in 18 different countries across the world, the latest being the UAE. At such events, the total public attendances frequently surpass 1 million enthusiasts a year, in markets worth some 20 million motorcyclists and nearly a billion consumers in general.

The Gulf Bike Week 2011 is the Middle East’s only dedicated urban bike festival in the region. It supports a market that is worth over $1.75 billion regionally and is poised to grow, with the KSA and UAE expected to maintain the majority of the region’s market share.

About MECOM Forums

MECOM Forums is a Clarion Events Partner with offices in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. MECOM Forums, a Clarion Events Partner has grown into a highly successful business. In 2009, over 800,000 targeted people visited their 200 exhibitions, conferences and seated events across Britain, Europe, North and South America, Africa, Middle East and Asia.

The business-to-business and business-to-consumer, serve 15 different market sectors that include; Defence, Energy, Construction, Retail, Leisure, Entertainment, Finance and Life Sciences.

Clarion Events employs over 400 people in twelve offices: UK (London Earls Court Exhibition Centre, and Birmingham NEC); Germany (Bielefeld); The Netherlands (Maarsen); South Africa (Cape Town); USA (Connecticut and Reno): Brazil (Sao Paulo); United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi and Dubai); Singapore and Turkey.

More information on www.mecomforums.com.