A lifestyle exhibition this weekend will test consumer attitudes on green products.
The Life & Style Show at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre will feature a green corner catering for environmentally conscious shoppers.
Products including palm-oil candles, sustainable clothing, cooking utensils and water-saving devices will be on offer. A local organic farm will also have a stall.
Alex Sworder, project manager at the show’s organiser, DMG Events, said a healthy demand for green goods and services in the capital was not being met.
“I think Abu Dhabi consumers have been ready for a long time. It has just not been pushed enough,” Mr Sworder said.
The event will present cooking demonstrations and display goods and services, including fashion and interior decorating.
Visitors can play indoor football, try a climbing wall and mix music under the direction of leading UAE DJs.
The event organisers partnered with Goumbook, an online directory of green goods and services run by Tatiana Antonelli Abella of Dubai and volunteers.
For Mrs Abella, the partnership is a welcome one after the failure of her Future Green exhibition in Dubai this year.
The event was supposed to be held for a third year in October and was hosted by the Dubai Marina Mall. But it was shut down early for reasons that remain unclear.
The closure provoked fervent discussions in Dubai and Mrs Abella explained her side of the story in an open letter on the Goumbook website.
Two months later, she says some good came of the saga, with the discussion bringing more attention to the fledgling organisation.
“After the event we were contacted by many people, companies and event organisers,” Mrs Abella said. “Nothing happens without a reason and for us that was a good push.
“We are also trying to bring things that are relevant to the gift-giving season. For us it is a very good test to see if people are choosing green products over this period.”
The show takes place from December 5 to 7.
A standard adult ticket costs Dh50 if bought on the day and half the price if bought in advance.
For more information, visit www.thelifeandstylesshowuae.com
vtodorova@thenational.ae