Acclaimed international industry leaders to deliver inspiring design and architecture related speeches at the Design Talks

INDEX to host the 5th Annual Contemporary Majlis Design Competition

Glass Art on display at the LASVIT stand

Dubai, May 14, 2013 - Show organizer dmg events announced today the final line-up of events and seminars at INDEX 2013 and The Office Exhibition; the region's largest exhibitions for the architecture and design trade run simultaneously from May 20th till 23rd at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Design Talks will provide visitors with incredible opportunities to network, to gain knowledge and inspiration and to network with industry's movers and shakers.

Two different programmes have been developed for Design Talks, the free-to-attend seminars and workshops held by industry experts. The INDEX Design Talks will cover four topics -Project Management, Interior Design, Architecture and Hospitality Design & Retail - with each day of the show dedicated to one area. The Office Design Talks, on the other hand, will be focused around commercial interior design's four main sectors: Office & Commercial, Retail, Healthcare Facilities, and Education Facilities.

Matteo Bianchi, Owner and Director of Matteo Bianchi Studio, will report on the design trends from the world-renowned event 'Milan Salone del Mobile'.  The reasons why we keep pets and plant life at home will be investigated by Pallavi Dean, Design Director of Pallavi Dean Interiors, during the 'Biophilia' seminar; and many other current hot topics will be discussed by key international speakers including Stephen Embley, Regional MD of Aukett Fitzroy Robinson; Kate Hardcastle, Co-founder of Insight with Passion; and Mr. Maged Farouck Hanna, General Manager Society of Engineers UAE.

Moreover the attendance of the sessions Project Management Professional in Engineering & Architectural Projects, that will take place on May 20th from 4pm till 6pm, will give attendees two PDUs (Professional Development Units) from the Project Management Institute (PMI-USA).

"INDEX is always a great event and I am delighted to be given the opportunity to present on some of the key themes. My presentation will cover ways in which project management skills can be used as an essential part of estate planning and also analysing what the key design criteria are for an international standard office environment.  These are all important in order to maximise the return from a right sized corporate real estate investment," said Christopher Seymour, Partner & Head of Property & Social Infrastructure UAE, EC Harris, whose session will kick off the Design Talks on May 20th.

Giving some previews about his 'Improved collaboration in hospitality projects - an ID perspective' session, Christian Merieau, Managing Director Samuel Creations, said, "I have found that there are two essential ingredients needed for a successful hotel project. Firstly, it is key to have all stakeholders involved at the earliest stage of design and secure agreement on the expected outcome. Secondly, only clear guidelines, procedures and control tools can ensure the desired outcome. Our experience has shown that creative energy is better channeled within a clear framework."

INDEX 2013 show floor will also host the four shortlisted projects competing in the 5th Annual Contemporary Majlis Design Competition; GENESIS by Ayesha Gheewale, MaST DESIGN by Mauktik Shashikantbhai Trivedi, Mo-DIY by Ashok Radhakrishnan & Preethi Sreedhara, and FLOW by LOCI architecture+design Studio have created four modern interpretations of the Majls, the traditional Arabic space. One winner will be selected by a the panel of industry experts and announced on May 20th, whereas the People's Choice Award, which will be given to the project that will collect more visitors' votes during the first three days of the exhibitions, will be the announced on May 23rd, the shows' last day.

And worth a stop-over during the visit to INDEX, will be two installations realized by LASVIT, the globally renowned Czech glass manufacture and design company whose pieces embellish many public areas across the UAE including the Dubai Metro. Infinity by Jitka Kamencova Skuhrava and Fractals by Katarina Kudejova Fulinova will be on display at the company's stand in Hall 7.

Further information on the show and pre-registration form are available at www.indexexhibition.com or on the show's Facebook pages www.facebook.com/INDEXDubai .

About INDEX:
The INDEX International Design Exhibition is the largest event for the architect and design industry in the Middle East. It attracts more than 700 exhibitors from 45 countries, taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

For 23 years INDEX has provided a business and networking opportunity for buyers and sellers of residential interiors products and services from around the world to source an astounding array of the very latest design innovations, trends and techniques.

More than just an exhibition, the event provides attendees with unrivalled access to information, intelligence, contacts and hands on experience. Experts from around the world engage in the industry's most topical discussions, finding design solutions, facing challenges and seizing opportunities. The show is the gateway to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) providing both exhibitors and visitors with the opportunity to conduct serious business with like-minded professionals.

About The Office Exhibition 2013
The Office Exhibition is the largest commercial interiors fit-out and design exhibition in the Middle East. It is the premium showcase for high-end products and services which combine to create outstanding working environments. Organised by dmg :: events, the show attracts thousands of top tier architectural and interior design firms and end-users from the Middle East and beyond.

The 12th annual edition of The Office Exhibition will include a wider range of products and services to reflect the ever expanding market and different working environments across the general office/commercial, retail, healthcare, and educational design, fit out, and upgrade sectors.

An international exhibition and publishing company, dmg events produces market-leading exhibitions and conferences for the global energy, construction, digital marketing, hospitality and interior industries, with events in the Middle East, North America, Europe and Asia.

As a leading supplier of face-to-face business information, with a customer-centric focus that localizes operations and relationships, our objectives are to keep businesses informed and connect them with relevant consumers to create vibrant marketplaces across multiple event platforms and communities.

Founded in 1989, dmg events has operated in the Middle East since 1995 and owns many leading brands such as The Big 5 construction events, ADIPEC the oil & gas exhibition and conference, INDEX the interior design exhibition and the Hotel Show. For more information visit www.dmgeventsme.com

dmg events is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT, www.dmgt.co.uk), one of the largest media companies in the United Kingdom. 

© Press Release 2013