F&E Launch 2010 edition of GESS and Global Education Forum

GESS, the region’s leading education exhibition was officially launched today at a press conference held by organisers F&E and supported by the Ministry of Education. Now in its third year, GESS will welcome more than 200 exhibitors from 27 countries to showcase the latest in educational solutions available on the market from 23-25th February 2010 at Airport Expo, Dubai.
Within three years since its launch, GESS has established itself as the only education event that caters to the entire spectrum of educational needs, and has succeeded in filling a niche in the regional education market. Last year’s show saw an impressive year on year increase of 20%, bringing the total attendance numbers to 4,800 from across the GCC, Levant and Egypt, over the three day period.
Speaking at the press conference, Sue Rothwell, Group Event Director, Fairs & Exhibitions, said: “This year’s GESS offers visitors far greater diversity in terms of on-the-ground attractions, and benefits from the participation of prominent local and regional exhibitors as well as global players helping to shape the region’s education landscape. The UAE continues to be a hub for educational development in the region, and GESS plays a crucial role in helping bring together public and private partnerships which can meet the growing needs of the region’s education sector,”
To date GESS 2010 has seen pre registration numbers increase on last year’s figures and attracted a far more diverse exhibitor line up than ever before including debut exhibitors such as Visa, Kidz Inc and X box. In addition, this year’s show uses all available floor space to showcase new interactive features for visitors to experience firsthand the latest educational solutions.
Dr. Abdallah Al Amiri, Advisor to the Minister of Education, said: “GESS represents one of the most important pedagogic and educational regional events in the Middle East and its success is in part due to the fact that the UAE has become a main attraction for educationalists and international educational institutions. Furthermore the UAE has emerged in recent years as an educational hub for educational dialogue and investment both for private and public educational sectors.”
New to GESS 2010, and to the region, is the innovative 21st Century Learning feature which showcases for the first time a range of integrated technology designed to encourage collaboration among students and staff and achieve greater student engagement.
“The need to drive 21st century learning which can equip young people with the ability to compete in a ‘skills based economy’, has never been more important than in today’s competitive market. Governments across the Middle East are investing heavily in education with investment from both public and private partnerships already reaping rewards with the face of education in the region changing rapidly,” concluded Sue Rothwell.
Running alongside GESS, is the Global Education Forum which is the only conference for education professionals in the GCC and provides access to some of the world’s most renowned educationalists.
This year’s speaker line up includes: Greg Butler, Education Director, Microsoft Education; Birgit A. Ertl, Director of The Children’s Garden (TCG) and Taaleem’s Early Childhood Department; Dr Khalifa Ali Alsuwaidi, Assistant Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction at UAE University and Dominic Savage, Director General of BESA.
GESS and GEF enjoy a high level of support from the Ministry of Education and organisations including the Emirates Foundation, BESA (British Educational Suppliers Association), Worlddidac Association, Edutech and Al Mazroui.
GESS takes place from 23-25th February 2010 at Airport Expo, Dubai.