First impressions - GITEX - Day One

1. Didn’t think that we would do any business at all or even get reasonable road traffic. Got hit by a Moroccan technology integrator, a Malaysian technology company, a Pakistani software consultant, a Pakistani technology company, and a mysterious, as yet unknown visitor. All this on day one between 4 and 5:30 pm.

2. I think the real potential is not with foot traffic but with exploring potential partnerships with country pavilion companies from Tunisia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, China and others.

3. For a first time visitor, the convention center, the organization, the execution is quite decent and comparable to similar exhibitions elsewhere on the planet.

4. Parking was a mess till we figured out where exhibitor parking was – follow the signs and then park in the over flow area.

Day One lessons
1. For wifi access, buy the izone cards – they work every where. You can also buy the Etiselat cards

2. Rent a car. Reserve it before you arrive

3. Traffic is slow so settle down in slacker mode other wise you will just give yourself a heart attack.

4. Local cell phones run from 160 - 100 AED. Make sure you have a GSM enabled phone. Worth every penny.