Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011
Gulf News
The four-day exhibition which starts tomorrow is expected to attract more than 60,000 visitors with a small percentage being tourists
Abu Dhabi If you’re one of the big boys perennially interested in some of the world’s most exclusive and mind-blowing products, then the Big Boys Toys show in Abu Dhabi is the right place for you.
The four-day exhibition showcasing some of the world’s weirdest and wildest never-seen-before merchandise opens tomorrow at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
“We will have at least 10 to 15 unique products there,” said Biju Jayaraaj, CEO of Artaaj, the event organiser. “Anything from trucks to a shelf that doesn’t look like a shelf, to a DNA portrait.”
Big Boys Toys will be taking place annually in Abu Dhabi as of this year, and the organisers expect the event to live up to its name in the future as well. “Every time you do an exhibition the first few years are investment,” he said.
New models
“In five years time we want brands like Aston Martin to say that they’re waiting for Big Boys Toys to launch their new model.”
Next year, Artaaj said that it will be looking at doing their marketing and advertising in Europe to encourage people to come to Abu Dhabi for the event.
Organisers are expecting more than 60,000 visitors with a small percentage of them being tourists.
“This year, we think at least five per cent would come from abroad for the show,” he said. “We’ve been getting e-mails from Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia asking us which hotel they should be staying at.”
The first day of the exhibition is open only to VIPs with tickets selling at Dh1,000 each. Gold tickets which are selling at Dh250 per day and Dh500 for all three are already sold out, Jayaraaj said. “We’ve sold 12,000 [gold tickets].”
Silver tickets priced at Dh100 a day and Dh200 for all three are still on sale. The tickets allow visitors access to all the different shows and in some cases to try out some of the products on display.
While the exhibition’s name is attracting big boys to walk in, the organisers are trying to reach out to wider audience.
This year, Artaaj has expanded its interactive entertainment segment with an outdoor music lounge and entertainment shows featuring artists from Portugal, the US and the UK, including the famous contortionist Lilia Stepanova and celebrity stunt biker Humberto Ribeiro.
‘3Run’, a professional performance team specialising in the art of movement, will be performing their signature tricks and stunts.
Jayaraaj said that contrary to what the name suggests, the exhibition is really “for the whole family”.
“It’s at the same time a comfortable day out. We want it to be an entertainment day for the family, where if you come in the morning you don’t need to leave until the evening,” he added.
“Big Boys Toys is for everybody, whether you speak a language or you don’t or whichever part of the world you’re from.
Mega raffle
Artaaj has organised for a mega raffle that will have multiple prizes including a speed boat, a jet ski, a sports bike, a designer watch worth Dh75,000, the world’s largest 3D LED TV, a trip to Thailand for two, and many more.
On purchasing an entry ticket, one gets a number of coupons with which they can enter the raffle. “Somebody will walk out as a big boy this year,” Jayaraaj said.
ABDEL KRIM-KALLOUCHE/Gulf News
All set
Preparations are on for the Big Boys Toys 2011 event at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. This year, Artaaj will expand its interactive entertainment segment at the event with an outdoor music lounge and entertainment shows.
Mind-blowing products
It’s at the same time a comfortable day out. We want it to be an entertainment day for the family, where if you come in the morning you don’t need to leave until the evening.”
Biju Jayaraaj
CEO of Artaaj
By Samia Badih ?Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.
