WAM Dubai, 28th Feb. 2012 (WAM) -- H.H. Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, Director General, Dubai Department of Information, opened the 18th CABSAT exhibition at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) this morning, launching three days of power-packed business development and knowledge exchange.

More than 750 companies from across over 55 countries, including 14 national pavilions, will be showcasing the latest products in the broadcasting, digital media and satellite market as they look to capitalise on this potential.

"We are delighted that H.H. Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum Al Maktoum has offered his support to CABSAT," said Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre. "The Middle East broadcasting, digital media and satellite industries are considered within the most lucrative in the world. CABSAT is the ideal platform for industry professionals worldwide to come together and explore new avenues in this growing market." Leading companies will all be showcasing the latest technological advances and generating new business.

The event will also feature the `Thought Incubator` by Dubai Studio City which will cover the impact of technology in shaping the media landscape and the need for audience management systems in the region.

The show will also introduce this year the Cisco Executive Lounge as well as the new Outside Broadcast Area which will feature OB Van's from the region as well as feature outdoor broadcast technologies from Japan Radio Company and VSAT Plus.

CABSAT will be partnering with twofour54 tadreeb who have recently acquired SAE Dubai, a leading higher education institution for broadcasting, film and interactive media to deliver specialist training, workshops and immersive experiences. This will enable students to review latest products from all the top manufacturers, and talk to application experts at the show. The event will serve as a platform to encourage the brightest students in the region to seek careers in the growing media sector.

Bringing together the two distinct identities of the event into one multi-stream knowledge exchange platform, the CABSAT Academy will feature a mix of complimentary industry-led sessions in one centrally located networking area, and will include the GVF Satellite Summit organised by Global VSat Forum, as well as twofour54 tadreeb workshops in conjunction with the BBC Academy and INA.

WAM/TF