The over 500 local and international companies attending the building and decoration expo are doing brisk business, organizers said. The expo is combined with several lectures on real estate, decoration and building sectors in the Kingdom. A Jeddah municipality official also announced the first-of-its-kind plan to have developed parks in Jeddah. “We have developed a number of innovative architectural designs of parks and gardens within residential neighborhoods to serve people,” said Dr. Ashraf Al-Turki. Each park and garden will have a different style and suitable names will be given to them to suit their style. “For example, we have the science and library park, the children's park, the mayor's park. These parks will be masterpieces of architectural design to attract a large number of businessmen and investors,” he said. The exhibition included about nine lectures discussing several themes relating to building and decoration projects in the Kingdom, and the effect of the financial crisis on Saudi and international real estate and building sectors. The Saudi Building and Decoration Exhibition was visited by Martin Quinn, Consul General of the United States, who was accompanied by Jesse Lapierre, Commercial Consul. Quinn was visibly pleased with the participation of two leading US companies in the industry. The United States is participating in the Saudi Building and Decoration Exhibition represented by the Department of Commerce, Office of Textiles and Apparel, the top shop for sourcing US technical, industrial, hospitality, contract and medical textiles. Mary Lynn Landgraf, senior international trade specialist, sounded thrilled. “I was delightfully surprised with the warmth we received from the Saudi community and the excellent response to our products from some of the leading business houses, which will hopefully ultimately translate into huge orders,” Landgraf commented. “We will definitely return next year with a stronger participation at this show,” she added. Erid Brand, another US participant, which is responsible for the design and manufacturing of residential and hospitality furniture was overwhelmed with the response they received at the show. “If even ten percent of the inquiries we get for our products at the show materialize, it would mean good business for our company,” commented Craig Taylor, international sales executive. Taylor also confirmed his company's participation at the next edition. The expo showcases the latest home appliances, equipment, and other housing materials, such as, machinery, construction materials, electric power equipment, accessories, safety equipment, industrial safety and fire control equipment, climate control devices, water purification and waste treatment equipment, lighting, and interior design materials.
