The Birth of DV Global Link

May 2014


By Cynthia Unninayar, Editor-in-Chief, CIJ Trends & Colours magazine

In an historic move, the Fiera di Vicenza and the Dubai World Trade Centre have created a joint venture to organize a super show in Dubai dedicated to the world of jewellery, which will consolidate Dubai as the undisputed jewellery capital in the Persian Gulf.

Panel of dignitaries from Dubai and Vicenza present at the historic signing of the agreement between the Fiera di Vicenza and the Dubai World Trade Centre that created DV Global Link. From left: Trixie Loh Mirmand, DWTC Senior Vice President of Exhibition & Event Management; His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, and DWTC CEO; Matteo Marzotto, President of Fiera di Vicenza; Ahmed Bin Sulayem, DMCC Executive Chairman, and Corrado Facco, Managing Director of Fiera di Vicenza.
Panel of dignitaries from Dubai and Vicenza present at the historic signing of the agreement between the Fiera di Vicenza and the Dubai World Trade Centre that created DV Global Link. From left: Trixie Loh Mirmand, DWTC Senior Vice President of Exhibition & Event Management; His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, and DWTC CEO; Matteo Marzotto, President of Fiera di Vicenza; Ahmed Bin Sulayem, DMCC Executive Chairman, and Corrado Facco, Managing Director of Fiera di Vicenza.

On May 12, 2014, the room was overflowing with press and other visitors as the Fiera di Vicenza’s President, Matteo Marzotto, and Managing Director, Corrado Facco, welcomed three dignitaries from Dubai for the historic signing of the agreement establishing a joint venture between the Fiera and the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). The goal of the new company, named DV Global Link, is to jointly organize a mega show dedicated to jewellery. This new show will fill a void in this sector in a region that is accessible within six hours by plane of two-thirds of the world’s population.

The first show will take place in April 2015, and is destined to become an important international meeting point during the spring months for the Middle East region, Africa, and some nations in Eastern Europe as well as the major economies of Southeast Asia.

“Today is a historical moment for Fiera di Vicenza, and, we feel, for the entire Venetian and Italian trade fair system,” commented Matteo Marzotto. “The agreement reached with DWTC is a decisive turning point in our company’s internationalization strategy and defines a systemic union that is not just economically highly valuable, but also provides a cultural interconnection with a very prestigious partner. This alliance forms a bridge between Vicenza—the pearl of the gold and jewellery industry—and Dubai—the important world luxury showcase—thus adding value to Italian lifestyle as never before in one of the countries and areas with the highest potential.” Marzotto went on to add that the presence in the UAE significantly strengthens the Fiera’s role as a global “Event Show Producer,” in keeping with its new identity. “It is no longer merely a container of spaces, but a company that promotes and generates top quality content, exporting its innovative format and know-how of excellence all over the world. Pursuing this mission, the agreement with the DWTC puts us in an absolute main-player role on the global competition chessboard, generating value and promoting what’s well-done in Italy and Europe all over the world,” he added.

“The signing today marks a significant milestone achievement for both the cities of Dubai and Vicenza, and between the Dubai World Trade Centre and the Fiera de Vicenza,” stated His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, and CEO of DWTC. “The inter-region strategic intermix of visions, strengths, and ambitions shall create a joint-venture jewellery event in Dubai which embodies friendship, creativity, knowledge, and globalisation—the precise values that Dubai and the DWTC have built their successes on. As Dubai fast-forwards its strategic efforts in achieving its Tourism Vision 2020 under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, we are excited by the partnership with Fiera de Vicenza in constructing a truly global jewellery sourcing hub in Dubai, where business tourism is a vital contributor to the Vision. The new event initiative will now offer the Italian and international luxury jewellery community the most sought-after entry channel into one of the world’s most vibrant emerging business districts.”

The DWTC tower is part of the modern skyline of Dubai, with the world's tallest building in the background.
The DWTC tower is part of the modern skyline of Dubai, with the world’s tallest building in the background.

Other guests from Dubai who spoke at the signing ceremony were Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), and Trixie Loh Mirmand, Senior Vice President of Exhibition & Event Management of the DWTC.

DV Global Link is happening in a macroeconomic environment with Italy on one side as a very important luxury manufacturing area, and the UAE on the other side as a nation that has, over the years, seen an increased demand for “Made in Italy” luxury products. In 2013, the United Arab Emirates became the first destination for Italian jewellery exports (with a market share of 20.7 percent and an increase of 30 percent compared to 2012), in an overall picture that has seen total Italian jewellery exports grow globally both by value (7.8 percent) and by volume (2.8 percent) over 2012.

Dubai is a strategic location and destination, welcoming more than ten million tourists a year. With its Tourism Vision 2020, it plans on accommodating some twenty million visitors by the turn of the next decade, visitors who may very well be tempted by Italian luxury jewellery.

www.dwtc.com

www.vicenzaoro.com