Following hot on the heels of the Dubai Desert Rock Festival, Shakira's sell-out concert at Dubai Autodrome has provided the perfect curtain raiser for this year's Event 360 expo at PALME Middle East.

   Event 360 Exhibition Manager Jonathan Gadalla says that when the recent Dubai Philharmonic Orchestra concerts and Dubai Jazz Festival are added in, it illustrates just how far the industry in the region has developed.

   "The Philharmonic Orchestra shows at the new Festival City recorded a huge turnout, indicating a real interest in the classical music market," he said. "On top of that, 25,000 people attended the Jazz Festival. It is evident from this that whether the music is classical, Latin American, heavy metal or jazz the level of appreciation is now unprecedented."

   Some of the magic of show production will be introduced to the Dubai International Exhibition Centre during Event 360. Leading the way will be a production of Amaceon, LOBO Laser and Multimedia Systems spectacular laser water show, with which the German specialists will attempt to surpass the sensational production of Arabian Dreams, one of the highlights of PALME Middle East 2006.

   Elsewhere, show organisers, IIR Entertainment & Installation Technology Group are busy organising a live entertainment programme, with full details to be announced.

   But one performer who is seizing the opportunity to audition for the Gulf's burgeoning corporate event market is Tom Rust. The ‘Rat Pack' crooner already has a presence on the international hotel scene, with both his big band and smaller jazz quartet, and he will be hiring a stand and performing solo to backing tracks. Visitors to Tom's stand will also be able to see a DVD of the artist - fronting both his big band and the smaller combo.

   Finger Box digital signage is a small server connected to the net; this allows connection to plasma or LCD screens, enabling the timing (and type) of ad to be controlled, and for it to be streamed to each screen individually. It also allows advertising to be changed, deleted or updated.

   Another product from Marketing Associates is the Sketch Screen. This comprises of special thin projection screens which, used in conjunction with infrared cameras, will allow 3D or normal videos to be displayed on the transparent background. These are ideal for creating car launches or for use in retail shop window displays.

   Returning for a second year after 2006's introduction to the market is Finnish company FogScreen. FogScreen is a projection screen composed of a thin, dry fog, which serves as a floating, translucent projection screen, showing images that literally float in the air. FogScreen technology uses water and contains no chemicals - a fact that has earned it many prestigious international awards.

   The projection screen is available in two models, Inia and One. The Inia has a fixed screen size of 2 metres (79in) wide and 1.5 metres (59in) high. The One is 1 metre (39") wide, but multiple Ones can be linked to form a seamless projection screen of any width, almost without limit.

   Having used last year to raise awareness the company will demonstrate why this effect has become such a hit for restaurants, nightclubs, museums, product launches, casinos and trade shows.

   Other exhibitors who have newly committed to participation at Event 360 include French company, Azur Scenic, manufacturers of spectacular backdrops for large scale concerts; RCL Rigging, who have now set up a local operation in Dubai; and finally chain hoists and controls from lifting gear giants Verlinde.

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