Staging Connections wins venue services contract at new US$1.5b Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah in the UAE – event services group takes

Gearhouse Staging Connections, the Dubai based business partnership between the Staging Connections Group Limited and locally based shareholders, has been successful in acquiring the Venue Event Services Partnership contract for the prestigious US$1.5 billion Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah, located at the pinnacle of The Palm Jumeirah development in the United Arab Emirates.

Staging Connections Group Limited (ASX: STG) CEO Michael Gardner said that the appointment was a culmination of almost two years of robust negotiations with Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah management by a joint taskforce comprising Staging Connections Group senior management from Dubai and Australia.

The exclusive three year contract will see Gearhouse Staging Connections take centre stage at the spectacular Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah, when it opens to guests on 24 September 2008.

Gearhouse Staging Connections will assemble an onsite team of 15 world-class technical and client services personnel from its Dubai and Australian operations. The Company will install a range of cutting edge multi-million dollar state-of-the-art audio visual technology befitting the first truly integrated entertainment destination resort in the region

Peter McCann Managing Director of Gearhouse Staging Connections Dubai said that the appointment of Gearhouse Staging Connections was testimony to the talent and expertise of the local business and its reputation for delivering world class events in the region. That coupled with Staging Connections’ reputation in high–end venue services guaranteed Gearhouse Staging Connections as a strong contender for this contract.

Transporting guests into a dazzling, imaginative world, Atlantis will encompass a 46 hectare site with 17 hectares of water themed amusement at AQUAVENTURE, extensive fresh and salt-water pools and lagoon exhibits, an open-aired marine habitat second only to Mother Nature, a seemingly endless stretch of beach, luxury boutiques, numerous dining choices including four celebrity chef restaurants, an exciting nightclub, a Spa and Fitness Club, and 5,600m² of meeting and function space.

Atlantis, The Palm is a 1,539 room, ocean-themed destination resort located at the centre of the crescent of the man-made Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. This US$1.5 billion joint venture project was developed with Dubai Government owned, Istithmar. It is the vision and support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to diversify the UAE’s economic base that has brought the Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah project to life.

“The acquisition of the Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah Venue Partnership contract marks the Staging Connections Group’s first foray into the high growth venue services market in the UAE. The appointment of Gearhouse Staging Connections is in recognition of the Group’s strong business model and will provide many opportunities to leverage Staging Connections’ twenty-five year expertise in venue services in the Asia Pacific region across the broader EMEA market. The Group currently has over 80 venue partnerships across the region and is recognised as a leader in this unique services sector. The announcement will also reinforce discussions in the Asian market where Staging Connections is close to finalising contract negotiations with a number of leading five-star Singapore hotels,” Michael Gardner said.

About Staging Connections Group Limited

Staging Connections Group Limited (SCGL) is a publicly listed international event services group recognised for its leading performance in event and staging services around the world. SCGL companies operate from 22 bases and 80 venues in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, the Middle East, UK, South East Asia and China.