Middle East Events
Dubai , UAE – November 17, 2012:
Shopping centre and retail industry experts from across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) convened at the region’s largest retail real estate event, RECon Middle East & North Africa (MENA) 2012. The conference attracted 250 delegates from over 26 countries and came to a close after two days of revitalizing and thought provoking sessions led by regional and international industry experts.
The 2012 RECon MENA Shopping Centre Industry Conference was jointly organised by the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres (MECSC) and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), supported and endorsed by the Government of Dubai, the Department of Economic Development and the Dubai Service Excellence Scheme.
ICSC Chairman, Brad Hutensky said, “We are pleased to host the 2012 RECon MENA Shopping Centre Industry Conference in Dubai, UAE. The purpose of this conference was to provide key strategies, visions and a unique networking platform for professionals in the shopping centre and retail industries, and after speaking with several attendees and delegates, we have been informed that we accomplished our goals.”
Speakers at the conference noted that there was a period over the past three years where much of the world saw the MENA region go through a recession and political instability, however that is not the case anymore.
Speaking at the conference, Mr. Majid Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of the MECSC and President of Burjuman said “The mall industry in the MENA region is now the envy of the world. Today, we have an unbelievable range of malls both big and small that attract shoppers not only from the region, but worldwide. We have emerged from belt tightening times to see the cash tills ring again.”
The session led by Shane Eldstrom, Director – Real Estate & Development for Retail Arabia International, showcasing the upcoming retail developments in the region, is proof of the growing optimism and confidence in this market. Given the number and scope of retail developments that are underway to be released in the next couple of years, the industry is surely growing at steady pace.
The generally weak consumer-spending outlook in developed markets is making international expansion increasingly attractive to the world’s biggest retail and consumer brands. A recent report released by EC Harris measuring the Retail International Programme Expansion (RIPE) index ranked Saudi Arabia followed by Qatar, UAE, Morocco and Egypt as lucrative markets within the MENA region for international retailer expansions.
Michael Kercheval, President and CEO of ICSC, said, “The economy is once again on recovery and resurgence, and the outside world’s perception – particularly of a micro-market like the UAE – is seeing that the political and social stability has not left. As a result, the region has provided a very desirable opportunity for investment and travel, which has a significant impact on the shopping industry. Furthermore, with the trends of stability, economic growth, and outside recognition, we can expect tourism to increase from Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and the rest of the world.”
The highlight of the event was the prestigious ICSC Shopping Centre Awards Ceremony. To recognise excellence in the shopping centre industry, a gala dinner was held on 12 November 2012.
Morocco Mall in Casablanca, Morocco, owned by Al Amine d’Investment was highlighted for winning Excellence in Design and Development.
Davide Padoa, CEO of Design International – Design Architect of the Morocco Mall, said, “We are truly honoured to be awarded by the ICSC, which is a prestigious organisation that is recognised worldwide. This represents a milestone for us and is a great recognition not just for everyone that worked on the project, but for the population of Morocco that is thoroughly enjoying the mall. We projected 40 million visitors in the first year and we have already reached 20 million.”
Shopping malls in the MENA were recognised for their excellent performance in various categories at the 2012 ICSC Middle East and North Africa Shopping Centre Awards.
The winners at the 2012 ICSC Middle East and North Africa Shopping Centre Awards and their respective categories are:
Excellence in Design and Development:
• Morocco Mall, Morocco – Innovative Design & Development of a New Project
Excellence in NOI Enhancement:
• 360 Mall, Kuwait – Leasing
Excellence in New Media
• Deira City Centre, Dubai – Social Media
• Arabian Centres, Riyadh – Emerging Technologies
• Arabian Centres, Riyadh – Integrated Digital Campaigns
Excellence in Marketing
Grand Opening, Expansion and Renovation
• Fujairah City Centre, Fujairah
Sales and Promotion Events
• Red Sea Mall, Jeddah
• Bahrain City Centre, Manama
• Mirdif City Centre, Dubai
• Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
Advertising
• 360 Mall, Kuwait
Cause Related Marketing
• BurJuman Centre, Dubai
• Mirdif City Centre, Dubai
ICSC Foundation Community Support Award
• Majid Al Futtaim Properties – Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
Sponsors of the event include Al Rashid Mall, Al Qasr Mall, BASS, Eimar Arabia, Faden Media Agency, Moda Mall, Nayomi, Red Sea Mall, Stak Design, Tejuri and Azdef Group. Media Sponsors include Images Retail ME, RLI and Shopping Centres Today.
2012 RECon MENA Shopping Centre Industry Conference is the only forum in the region that is developed by shopping centre industry professionals for industry professionals that addresses the day-to-day needs of the shopping centre industry.
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