Innovative new products on show

Dubai: Instead of getting into hot water (read 'trouble') visitors at the Ideal Home show may end up winning an exotic spa holiday when they venture into a hot tub.

Jacuzzi Middle East are enticing potential customers to try out the hot tubs modestly attired with t-shirts and swim trunks provided by the company - with the promise of a spa holiday in Thailand courtesy Etihad airline. The names of all the brave and the bold will go into a draw on the final day when two winners will be picked, said Jennifer Reid, the company's regional marketing manager.

Jacuzzi's stand is promoting the indoor whirlpool (bathroom) range and the outdoor hot tubs. After a 20-year presence in the Middle East the company opened its regional office in Dubai a year ago. Its main distributor in the UAE is Faraidooni Trading.

The moment visitors enter the exhibition hall they will see renowned British garden designer Diarmuid Gavin's creation.

Inspired by one of his designs for an artist who wanted a garden retreat for painting in peace it combines a grassy patch with a waterlily pond and a bright yellow wooden cabin. The

Original, set in Britain's Derbyshire, has a drawbridge over the pond, a feature that could not be accommodated at the show due to space constraints.

The display, paid for by Orbit, will be donated to a local children's hospital after the show said Kent Daniels, marketing manager, Epoc Messe Frankfurt, organizers of the show.

Gavin's creation is flanked on both sides by garden stone paving displays by Stone Gallery on one side and Royal Gardenscape on the other.

Sunil Sawlani of Royal Gardenscape said the company will be running a 'guess the number of pebbles in a bottle' competition. Three winners will get a natural stone fountain each. The company, an exclusive distributor of Britain's Bradstone products, markets designed concrete and natural stone paving for the garden.

House of the World from Ireland is using the show as their launch pad since they are opening their showroom in Dubai in January, said Yvette Robeck, its general manager.

The company specializes in holistic lifestyle featuring eclectic furniture, she said.

A Focus Yudi Blue painting of a Budhha will be auctioned on the final day of the show with the proceeds to be donated to a charity in one of the sourcing countries in Asia, she said.

Jacky's Middle East are running a raffle draw 'visit and win' offering five prizes a refrigerator, a cooking range, a washing machine, a dryer and a vacuum cleaner - with a total value of about Dhs 10,000. All visitors to the stand are eligible and the draw will take place at 6pm on the final day of the show, said James Paul, the company's senior executive exports.

Additionally, customers who book appliances at the stand will be offered a special discount, he said.