Announcements
APLF returns to Dubai to exhibit leather industry’s finest and best
The world’s leading leather trade fair APLF is returning to the UAE for a successive year when it will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from March 13-15. Considered as the industry’s most important trade fair, the APLF will cover a gross exhibition area of 16,000 square meters and host 14 national pavilions from countries globally including Brazil, China, Egypt, France, India, Italy, Pakistan and more in the Sheikh Saeed Halls.
Commenting on the announcement of the trade fair, David Bondi, Senior Vice President, Informa Markets Asia, said: “Dubai is a melting pot of cultures and nationalities. Following the success of last year’s exhibition, it was a natural gravitas to hold the fair in UAE. Being the hub for businesses, Dubai is easily accessible from the American, European as well as the Asian subcontinents and will be a contributing factor to the international nature of the trade show.
“APLF has continually dedicated years to organising leather and fashion trade shows, attracting 60,000 participants annually and providing suitable venues for top-notch businesses, manufacturers, tanners, buyers, designers & suppliers. We look forward to a successful edition again this year.” he said.
The APLF will be held along with concurrent sister events at the Sheikh Saeed Halls in DWTC from March 13-15. Supplied
The three-day exhibition will bring to the emirate over 300 plus exhibitors as well as the participation of regional associations from China along with others from Brazil, Egypt, France, India, Italy, Pakistan and Türkiye. For a second time in a row, the prime leather fair will take place in Dubai, with this year adding on the long-awaited Chinese suppliers and buyers. and be able to take full advantage of the business platform traditionally offered to the leather and fashion sectors by APLF since its inception in 1984. The APLF Leather fair covers the whole supply chain of the leather making industry and offers hundreds of finished leathers for all applications possible, from footwear and leather goods to garments and upholstery, making APLF Leather a unique sourcing event in the Middle East and North African region (MENA).
APLF’s sister fair, Fashion Access, will be held concurrently at the DWTC and is also supported by national and regional associations from Botswana, China, India, Pakistan, South Africa and Vietnam, A wide selection of footwear and leather goods will be on display highlighting the future trends and colors that will populate the fashion scene in upcoming seasons.
While APLF is a trade fair for businesses to come together and form partnerships, running simultaneously during the fair are several other activities integrating color, fashion and material trends which are of great interest to designers and artists alike. Notably this year sees the third edition of the Global Footwear Executive Summit (GFES) and seminars organised by Leather Naturally. A total of four workshops will take place at this year’s edition of APLF, which include two on leather foundation and two on footwear design.
| Dates: | 13 -15 March 2023 |
| Opening Hours: | 10:00am-6:00pm on Day 1 & 2, 10:00am-5:00pm on Day 3 |
| Venue: | Sheikh Saeed Halls 1-3, Dubai World Trade Centre |
| Concurrent Events: | APLF Leather, Materials+, Fashion Access |
Announcements
Dubai ad agency turns billboard into a self-funded tribute of gratitude and love for the UAE
As global markets navigate a landscape of uncertainty, the UAE continues to stand as a beacon of stability and resilience. While business leaders across the region have applauded the nation’s defence mechanisms and leadership, one Dubai-based advertising firm is moving beyond words and into action.
NextWhat Advertising has unveiled a massive, self-funded tribute billboard at the Dubai World Trade Centre Roundabout. In a move that breaks industry norms, the agency has bypassed commercial revenue to dedicate one of the city’s most premium outdoor spots to a message of solidarity and love for the UAE leadership.
The billboard, strategically located in the parking area facing the flow of traffic from Emirates Towers toward Zabeel Road and facing the iconic Sheikh Zayed Road, carries a heartfelt message honouring the strength, wisdom, and commitment to unity that defines the UAE’s path forward.
Gratitude for leadership
While Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) campaigns are common, they are almost exclusively funded by clients. NextWhat is pioneering a different path: the billboard owner acting as the benefactor.
“Typically, we see clients using CSR funds for these types of messages. Among outdoor media players, we are amongst the first few to have done this entirely on our own,” says Tanvir Shah, Founder and Managing Director of NextWhat Advertising.
“We’ve spent our own money and used our own premium space, no sponsorship, no clients, to show our genuine gratitude for the safety and leadership the UAE provides.”
From Mumbai to the world stage
The man behind the move, Tanvir Shah, is a first-generation entrepreneur with a legacy of Thinking Big. A graduate of Mumbai’s prestigious Sydenham College and a veteran of The Times of India, Shah launched his first venture in 1992. Today, his footprint spans India, Sri Lanka, and the UAE.
Under Shah’s leadership, NextWhat has become synonymous with unmissable brand experiences. By dedicating their state-of-the-art digital and large-format sites to a national cause, the company is demonstrating that in the UAE, the bond between the private sector and the state is built on more than just commerce; it is built on shared resilience.
United we stand as a family
Today, as business leaders and residents alike confront uncertainty, they do so not as guests in a foreign land, but as a united family standing in defence of the home that has embraced them. This bond has been forged through years of shared milestones and a collective belief that, regardless of origin, hearts can beat as one for the Emirates.
“The UAE has given us extraordinary opportunities and unwavering support. Just as it welcomed us during times of prosperity, we stand with it now in moments of challenge. We are not merely expatriates or guests; we are family. Irrespective of nationality, we have consciously chosen this country as our home, and we hold it close to our hearts. Our loyalty has only grown stronger through the trust and confidence shown by the nation’s leadership. This land has embraced us with dignity, and the least we can do is stand by it. At the end of the day, we are one,” concluded Shah.
Click on the link to see a video of the ad: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DWqPp7EjKCU
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