Despite Dubai’s rebounding economy, the 2013 edition of the GETEX education fair was a disappointment. Normally one of the most successful education exhibitions in the region, April’s event dipped from the previous few years’ successes. It was particularly surprising given the fact that both the number of jobs, the cost of rent and the traffic, are all well up in Dubai as the emirate moves forward and rolls back the clock to the boom days of five years ago.
Thin crowds were the order of all three GETEX Fair days. Unlike in the past, this year’s GETEX ended on a Friday, and missing out on a big Saturday crowd left a gaping hole that will have many attendees scratching their heads. Perhaps organizers saved the venue cost for the weekend, but not having Saturday at GETEX left exhibitors short on the typically busier day of the event.
More and more the GETEX fair is a showcase for UAE institutions, as the UAE moves from an exporter to an importer of students.
Mel Broitman is Managing Director of the Canadian University Application Centre’s office in Dubai’s Knowledge Village.
