Meet, greet, network, and do business were the key words within one of the most professional ICT environments in the Middle East and Africa. Cairo ICT 2005, which was held between 1-4 February, 2005, at the Cairo International Conference Centre was the ideal platform for marketing products, services, ideas, and innovations. This platform allowed attendees to meet key industry decision makers, business professionals, and potential clients from the entire region.
During the four-day conference, companies conducted business with clients seeking new technologies and applications to improve their business environment and lifestyle. The organisers allowed companies to cater for their presentations, while they took care of the companies' primary and secondary objectives: the right flow of visitors, the friendly and professional environment, and the marketing opportunities from direct advertising to speaking slots within the forum.
'Emerging @ Cairo ICT 2005'
Following drastic developments in Egypt, in the region, and on an international level, the term "emerge" bears great significance:
- Egypt's new government has helped ICT emerge out of its normal-paced progress into faster strides in order to dominate Egypt's professional and domestic lives.
- Political and armed conflicts in the region have come close to conclusion, thus driving the Middle East and Africa to emerge out of a state of stand-still and to resume development.
- ICT companies, organisations and institutions (the engine of e-development) the so called the "e-ra" are joining forces and merging into larger entities. "Merging" has become the key term of our time and Cairo ICT 2005 offered a platform for such purpose.
Liberalisation is at the door and many major regional organisations are heading towards privatisation or adaptation to work within a liberalised economy.
'Emerge @ Cairo ICT 2005' was not just a slogan that was created to fit in modern times or a visionary portrait of a marketing utopia. The organisers went beyond that to effectively execute the idea of "e-merge" in an entirely new way of doing business.
New at Cairo ICT 2005Cairo ICT continued to be the platform to launch new technologies specifically for this region and to discuss their socio-economic impact on developing Arab and African countries. For this purpose, the organizers came up with sections in the exhibition and major sessions in the forum to reflect on these concepts.
Some of such ideas that were the focus in 2005:
- Age of Mobility Revisited
- Media/Content Fusion
The 2005 round of Cairo ICT was especially significant than the previous round due to several reasons:
Egypt's new government: Following his success as Minister of ICT, Dr. Ahmed Nazif was inaugurated as prime minister of Egypt. He has taken the country into the era of a technology-based economy.
New hall added: Because Cairo ICT 2005 has outgrown the venue of its predecessor - the Cairo International Conference Centre - a new 7,000-square-metre hall was added to accommodate more exhibitors, which offered larger space. The new hall (four) was built following the highest level of technology standards.
Stronger regional and international presence: Through a wide-range of newly opened offices in the region and strong relations with international associations, both exhibitors and visitors were provided with a strong opportunity to have a broader range of specialists at the event. Such offices and relations were assigned with a professional task of attracting the right visitors from all domains.
Marketing and high exposure opportunities: Cairo ICT 2005 offered new packages for premium value marketing to interested companies and organisations. The organiser's previous packages have proved success and effectiveness. The new packages were a combination of traditional and innovative ideas.
Cooperation with the German Arab Chamber of Industry & Commerce: The German Arab Chamber of Industry & Commerce has been renowned as a strong entity with an ability to attract professionals to business forums. Joining forces with TFI, the chamber used its offices around the region and mechanisms outside to further promote Cairo ICT. The cooperation included close work with the newly established "CEEBA" - a grouping of European chambers that brought a stronger European presence of speakers and visitors.
Cairo ICT Forum: Forum 2005 tackled industry issues and ICT applications and trends in different domains. The forum covered the latest in technology, such as Wi-Max and voice over IP, fusion issues like ICT and media.
Arab ICT youth forum: This conference allowed the leaders of the future to continue meeting as they evolve.
© ArabAd 2005
