His Excellency Ahmed Bin Humaidan opens Inaugural Internet of things EXPO

His Excellency Ahmed Bin Humaidan, Director General, Dubai Smart Government, today formally opened the inaugural Internet of Things Expo 2015 (IoTX) – the region’s first IoT exhibition and conference – at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

Bin Humaidan was accompanied by His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTC Authority), and a host of local dignitaries and global technology executives.

With Dubai Smart Government, Smart Dubai and Dubai Internet City among the numerous UAE-based public sector entities participating at IoTX 2015, 42 of the world’s leading technology firms are championing a host of disruptive solutions for effective digital transformation across more than 6,500 square metres of exhibition space.

HE Ahmed Bin Humaidan addresses the IotX Conference

“The Internet of Things is no longer a futuristic buzz term – it is here, it is now and it is already improving our lives,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC. “As multiple machines, devices and appliances connect to the Internet through increasingly sophisticated networks, the status quo is evolving on a daily basis. Consumers and businesses face an avalanche of innovative new services in the home, at the office and across society at large. The Internet of Things Expo addresses the need for seamless interaction of these devices and services by providing a critical platform for companies from different sectors to ensure optimum collaboration and interoperability.”

Following the official inauguration of IoTX 2015 and the co-located Big Data Show, Bin Humaidan delivered the welcome address at the IoTX Conference – a C-Level forum featuring specialist sessions on innovation, enterprise, investment, standards and protocols, security and privacy, and educational areas inherent across the Smart Cities, Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data landscapes.

“Achieving and succeeding people’s expectations are the core pillars of the Dubai Smart Government vision,” said Bin Humaidan. “Innovation is the primary driver of the knowledge economy and society in general; collaboration between government entities and the private sector is the key to providing value-added services to citizens. The Internet of Things is one of the enablers for Dubai Smart Government as technology is the vehicle to reach and please our consumers – the population of Dubai.”

His Excellency Ahmad Bin Byat, Chairman, Smart Dubai Executive Committee, then delivered the conference’s keynote address before handing over to a who’s who of global technology, design and application thought-leaders for 12 highly-focused sessions.

HE Ahmed Bin Humaidan tours IoTX 2015 at DWTC

On the exhibition floor, a swathe of the UAE’s public sector entities and international technology firms leveraged the opening day of IoTX 2015 to announce or demonstrate a host of new-to-the-region IoT products.

For the first time in the region, Huawei – the Lead Sponsor of IoTX 2015 – demonstrated its comprehensive, integrated Smart City solution which includes Cellular IoT (CIoT) technologies across transport, Smart homes, connected energy, Big Data, Cloud and city management – complemented by the firm’s recently-announced 4.5G strategy for telecom operators and network management.

Elsewhere, Avaya demonstrated various technologies that utilise connected devices or things but free public and sector companies from Apps, as well as pioneering green technology designed to deliver the sustainable communities of the future.

Finally, Major General Rashid Thani Rashid Al Matroushi, Director General of Dubai Civil Defence (DCD), told a packed news conference DCD will leverage cutting-edge IoT technology to deliver the world’s first National Life Safety Dashboard – a real-time, data analytics system that will allow DCD officials, government stakeholders, building owners and occupants to view the health and operational safety status of every building for Dubai.

Open from 9am to 6pm on June 8 and 9am to 5pm on June 9, entry to IoTX (Hall 8 at DWTC) and The Big Data Show (Hall 7 at DWTC) is free. For more information on the shows, which are powered by GITEX Technology Week 2015,