Commercial Interiors UK had the pleasure of attending INDEX Dubai from 4th to 6th June 2024, a premier event for the interior design and fit-out industry in the MENA region, taking 7 UK companies out to exhibit as part of our trade mission.
Celebrating over 30 years, INDEX has become a global hub for connecting with the latest innovations and leading brands. The event offers a unique opportunity for buyers to network with top manufacturers and explore cutting-edge products in furniture, flooring, lighting, and more.
The Middle East’s interior design market, valued at $80.6 billion, is thriving and hungry for the latest trends and solutions. At INDEX, professionals from around the world meet with key buyers, including interior designers, architects, and retailers, all seeking new products and partnerships. Beyond a trade exhibition, INDEX features award ceremonies, conferences, and networking events, making it the ultimate destination for learning and discovering new opportunities.
INDEX is a vast event, occupying eleven big halls hosting five different shows: INDEX, Workspace, The Hotel Show, The Leisure Show, and Kidspace. Despite the 40-degree heat outside, the air-conditioned venue offered a refreshing escape, sometimes necessitating a jumper due to the chill!
At Commercial Interiors UK, we are committed to supporting UK companies in expanding their global presence. Our participation in INDEX Dubai exemplifies our efforts to create international business opportunities, aiding both our members and non-members in thriving globally.
Our UK Business Lounge at Stand 4F161 hosted seven of the UK’s leading companies, each showcasing their cutting-edge interior furnishings and power solutions. The stand, painted black to highlight the products, provided an excellent platform for these companies to connect with potential clients across the hospitality, leisure, commercial, and residential sectors. Here's a glimpse at the participating companies:
UK Business Lounge
- Amtico International: Renowned for luxury vinyl tiles in commercial and residential environments. Discover their innovative designs at Amtico.
- Broad Power Solutions: Providers of advanced office power and ergonomic solutions. Learn more at Broad Power Solutions.
- Burgess Furniture Ltd: Specialists in elegant banquet and meeting room furniture. Explore their offerings at Burgess Furniture.
- Burmatex Ltd: A leading manufacturer of sustainable commercial carpets and flooring solutions. Visit Burmatex.
- Craven Dunnill Jackfield: Experts in traditional decorative ceramic tiles. Find out more at Craven Dunnill Jackfield.
- Mistry Designs: A design studio creating exclusive wallpapers and fabrics for high-end clients. Explore their creations at Mistry Designs.
- One-LUX Ltd: Manufacturers of emergency lighting and lighting controls. Learn about their products at One-LUX.
For more details on these companies, check out our brochure.
UK Business Lounge
INDEX also featured a comprehensive talks programme, with one standout session for us titled "Achieving Sustainable Development Goals through Responsible Design." Moderated by Esra Lemmens, the discussion included insights from Carlos Mello, Dr. Albert S. Fakhoury, Will Plowman, Elie N. Skaff, and Richard Wilson.
They emphasized the importance of sustainable practices and showcased innovative materials which offer eco-friendly alternatives to traditional products. These included a skateboard made from melted bottle caps:
KARL LAGERFELD collaborated with sustainable skate brand WasteBoards
‘Leukeather’ which is an innovative natural textile alternative to exotic leather made from discarded dried pods. It is a vegetal, sustainable and ethical material alternative and a by-product of existing agriculture:
Leukeather
‘Palmade’ which tackles global plastic consumption because it is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic made from date palm biowaste:
Palmade
Key Takeaway: Buildings are more than just structures; they impact entire communities. Designers must lead the way in educating and changing consumer mindsets towards more responsible and sustainable practices.
Our UK mission to INDEX Dubai was a tremendous success. The seven UK companies we supported not only showcased their innovative products but also engaged in numerous fruitful conversations and built strong relationships with visitors from across the globe. Their collective effort and collaboration highlighted the strength and synergy of the UK interior design and furnishing sector on an international stage.
UK Business Lounge
This mission underscores the importance of our continued efforts to promote UK trade and expand our global reach. As we look ahead, we are excited to announce our next mission: INDEX Saudi Arabia, taking place in Riyadh from 17th to 19th September 2024. If you’re interested in participating or learning more, we encourage you to get in touch with Sue Graves at sue@commercial-interiorsuk.com and join us in driving UK excellence forward.