For immediate release…for immediate release…

Interior Designers Survey New Challenges in

Recovering Regional Markets
Dubai – 28th October 2009: Leading property developers and market analysts will
evaluate the anticipated performance of the local construction sector at the 24 th World
Interior Design Congress of the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers
(IFI) in Dubai on November 10 and 11, 2009.

Held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Wife of
HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the
UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the IFI General Assembly and World Interior Design Congress
will host regional and international experts in its line up of speakers.

Interior design firms in the region foresee total spending on interior projects in the GCC
increasing by 20% in 20101. In the UAE alone, interior projects valued at US$37.3 billion
will enter the market in 2009, with additional projects scheduled to arise the following
year (increased value of US$42.9 billion)2.

Acknowledgement of the current situation and the expanding infrastructure are reviving
investor confidence in Dubai, which is regaining its “competitive edge” compared to other
MENA markets, according to Craig Plumb, Head of Research MENA at the global real
estate advisory firm Jones Lang LaSalle, and speaker at the World Interior Design
Congress.

Alongside Craig Plumb in the session titled ‘The Middle East Potential? A Review of the
Real Project Pipeline’ will be Marko Hytonen, Area Vice-President Middle East with Rezidor
1
INDEX, 15 October 2009
2
DMG Market Report Data
Hotel Group, a global brand with over 380 hotels in 59 countries, and Nader Lahzi,
Managing Director of regional property developer Bonyan for Development and Trade,
who recently unveiled Designopolis, the Middle East’s first dedicated furnishings and
design centre in Egypt.

“Interior designers in the region need to reposition themselves and adopt new strategies
as the challenges and expectations have undergone major change,” commented Ken
Laidler, President of Association of Professional Interior Designers (APID).

“It will no longer only be about new construction in the region. The growing ‘refit market’
also presents extensive opportunities. The IFI World Interior Design Congress will be a
strong platform for the industry to chart its future course,” added Christian Merieau,
Managing Director, Samuel Creations Middle East and member of the IFI Organising
Committee.

Over 800 interior designers from 45 countries will attend the IFI General Assembly and
World Interior Design Congress, being held in Dubai for the first time in its 46-year
history. Other speakers at the Congress include Ross Lovegrove, known as ‘Captain
Organic’, iconic Italian designer Piero Lissoni, Nadja Swarovski, celebrity scion of the
famed crystal empire and product design expert Sebastian Conran.

The IFI Congress, highlighting its theme “Celebrate Interior Design”, will also host three
interior design competitions – one for professionals and two for students – culminating in
an awards ceremony. The event has due recognition and support from the Dubai
Business Women Council while United Design International, Al Aqili Furnishings,
American Hardwood Export Council, Designopolis, Actiu, Interiors and Crystallized
Swarovski Elements are the main sponsors.

-ENDS-
About IFI:
The International Federation of Interior Architects/ Designers was founded in Denmark in 1963 to
unite and provide discussion of Interior Design issues within a handful of European countries.
During the IFI’s existence there has been tremendous growth in membership representing 70
member associations, institutions and schools in 45 countries on every continent. The IFI
collectively represents over 65,000 practising Interior Designers worldwide.
For media enquiries, please visit: www.tcf-me.com, or contact:

Jennifer De Guzman

E-mail: ifi2009@tcf-me.com
Phone +971 (4) 337 2824
Fax +971 (4) 337 2825