Spectacular Grand Opening of DSF 2010

To commemorate its 15th edition, DSF 2010 will be inaugurated with a unique and innovative idea that will extend the DSF experience across the city. For one day only, i.e. January 28 2010, malls in Dubai will host exhilarating offers, providing the ultimate in shopping experience. To add to the festivities, a dazzling fireworks display will be held at the Al Seef Area of the Dubai Creek launching the DSF 2010 officially.

A unique ‘Shopper’s Day’ promotion across select malls in Dubai will kick off the massive celebration for Dubai Shopping Festival 2010, marking the landmark 15th edition of the region’s leading shopping, leisure and entertainment event. A dazzling fireworks display on Al Seef Street will be staged in the evening, heralding the beginning of 32 days of festive celebrations, great shopping deals, world-class events, and exciting promotional deals until February 28, 2010.

Details of the grand opening were announced in an exclusive breakfast gathering held at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel on Wednesday, January 27, and was attended by Laila Suhail, Chief Executive Officer; Ibrahim Saleh, Coordinator General; Yousif Mubarak, Chief Operations Officer, and other senior officials from the Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (DEPE).

Laila Suhail began by saying that “the accumulated achievements and successes that DSF has accomplished since its inception in 1996 have transformed it into a unique social and economic phenomenon and an example for others to follow. It has established itself as one of many successful initiatives presented by Dubai to the world, raising the bar of excellence in the region’s festival industry year after year.”

“The reasons behind what has been achieved are numerous, but one reason that tops the list is the robust collaboration between the public and the private sector to ensure the success of DSF and record another milestone,” added Laila.

“We look forward to a new and exciting venture with DSF 2010 and pledge that we will offer the best in shopping, winning, and entertainment for all our visitors during the coming 32 days,” she concluded.
During the course of the gathering, Ibrahim Saleh made a detailed presentation on the main highlights of DSF 2010 and said that the 15th edition of DSF was a momentous edition in the history of the festival. “We have prepared a special opening day treat to welcome our guests and entice residents to come out and celebrate this landmark edition with us. We hope to have another banner year in 2010,” he said.

“We wanted to introduce something new to this year’s celebration of DSF, and came up with the Shoppers’ Day Concept, a one-day only incentive for early bargain hunters who can win spot cash prizes through the Scratch and Win Promotion from AED 500 to AED 2,000 while shopping for a minimum of AED 500 during the opening day. We will be giving away a total of AED 500,000 to hundreds of lucky shoppers across participating malls, where retailers are offering huge discounts of up to 75 percent,” he added.

Leading shopping centres in Dubai participating in the exciting opening-day-only promotion include Al Bustan Centre, Al Mulla Plaza Shopping Centre, Al Quoz Mall, Bin Sougat Centre, Century Mall, Hamarain Centre, Jumeirah Centre, Karama Centre, Mazaya Shopping Centre, Palm Strip, Ibn Battuta Mall, Times Square Center, Al Ghurair City, Mercato, Town Centre, Deira City Centre, BurJuman, Mall of the Emirates, Lamcy Plaza, Dubai Festival City, Dubai Mall, WAFI, Arabian Center, Oasis Centre, and Reef Mall.

Saleh also revealed a special Shopper’s Day discount of 15 percent for the coupons to the Lexus Mega Raffles for the first in the history of DSF, which is giving away one Lexus LS 460 and AED100,000 cash prize daily for the entire duration of the festival this year in addition to a custom edition LX 570 on the weekend. The AED200 coupons can now be bought for AED170, a special offer only during the opening day, at over 100 locations in Dubai.

Saleh additionally announced the launch of the DSF 2010 Journalism and Photography Awards. Outstanding news stories and features, as well as images generated in the local and regional media during the festival will be recognised by an eminent jury.

“DSF’s reputation as a truly global event is due in part to the support provided by our friends in the media. Through these awards, we hope to recognize not only their tireless efforts in sharing the excitement of DSF with their audiences in the UAE and throughout the region, but also to encourage excellence in the practice of their professions,” Saleh continued.

The Journalism Awards, presented since 1996, will present winners in both English and Arabic across various categories, including Best Feature in a Local Newspaper, Best Features in Local and Regional Magazines, Best Coverage in Local Newspaper, DSF Prolific Writer in Local Newspaper and Best Pan Arab Feature.

The Photography Awards, another such initiative of DEPE, will award images that best exemplify the theme of DSF – ‘One World. One Family. One Festival’ – and the one that best captures the excitement of shopping during the festival. Three winners will receive $5000, $4000 and $3000 for first, second and third prizes, respectively.

More than 150 local and international events are happening during DSF 2010, including concerts, shows, and musicals. This is in addition to the participation of over 6000 retail outlets and around 50 shopping malls offering as much as 75 percent discounts, turning Dubai into one big shopping and entertainment paradise. For more information about DSF, call Ahlan Dubai at 600 54 5555 or visit www.mydsf.ae.