Mr. Laidler completed his apprenticeship as carpenter in 1969 and subsequently graduated in Industrial Design / Interior Design + Business Studies in 1974. Employed as Interior Designer in the UK until 1979, he was awarded a Fellowship with the Royal Society of Arts in 1974 and CSD in 1982 when Kenneth Laidler Design was formed. Mr. Laidler arrived in Dubai in 1991 and formed KLD in 1994 with offices now in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Beirut. His work specializes in F&B Outlets and Hospitality Design. He completed a Masters in Design Practice in 2000 and has since lectured part- time at the American University in Dubai and Jumeirah Hospitality Academy. Mr. Laidler is Founding President of APID.

Mr. Arteaga has over 16 years of planning, architecture and design experience. As Associate Managing Director with Hirsch Bedner Associates Dubai, his responsibilities include space planning, concept and design development, engineering coordination, project management, and serving as client liaison. Fernando’s expertise lies in resort master planning, full service hotel design, F & B entertainment services and conceptual branding. In addition to his hospitality experience he brings innovative design solutions with an understanding of project viability and profitability for multi residential towers, mixed use buildings, retail and commercial developments. Prior to HBA, he worked with Gensler, The Rockwell Group, Legorreta Architects and well-known international developers on projects throughout the Middle East, Asia, United States and Latin America.

Mr. El-Khatib earned his diploma in Interior Architecture in 1985 from the Lebanese University and a Masters Degree in Interior Design in 1989 from the University of North Texas (USA).  He served as Assistant Professor of Interior Design at Western Carolina University (North Carolina, USA) till 1991 when he re-located to the UAE. In 1998, he established Design Design LLC. in Dubai.  He has served as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Interior Design at the American University in Dubai and a member of the Board of Directors of Technogym Emirates. Mr. El-Khatib, a published author, is founding member of APID, has been awarded the Grand Silver Medalian in 2007 for Humanitarian Work, and is acting as an advisor for His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan.

Ms. Farida Abdulla Kamber is owner and Managing Director of Cinmar Design, an architectural and interior design firm established in 1989 in the UAE. She is also one of the founding members of APID.  Ms. Farida Kamber is a visionary designer, a successful businesswoman and local dignitary. She was bestowed the Gulf Woman Executive of the Year Award in 1996, is member of many professional societies and a frequent university lecturer. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985 at George Washington University (USA). Ms. Farida Kamber is married to Mr. Hesham Al Sayed Al Hashemi, a prominent figure in UAE, Chairman of Gulf Business Foundation and has a 14-year old son, Ahmed.

Mr. Merieau obtained a degree in Interior Design in 1989 and later qualified as Interior Architect in Switzerland. Mr Merieau has 20 years of diverse professional practice in Interior Design. Managing his own firm, he was commissioned to re-think working environments for several international organisations in Geneva. After working in the US and Europe, he was named Managing Director at a leading Swiss architectural firm in 2006. He has since spearheaded the renewal of the company’s Middle East business instigating a fresh commercial approach and new management style. Overseeing a team of cutting-edge designers, Mr. Merieau has revamped the company’s business model focusing on innovative hospitality design.

After obtaining a degree majoring in Human Resources and Japanese, Lisa worked in Human Resources in London and Sydney for 3 years after which she decided to pursue more creative studies in interior design. Lisa received her Diploma of Arts in Interior Design in 2009 from Commercial Arts Training College in Sydney, Australia.

Following her sales role in a leading Australian furniture store, Lisa moved to Dubai and is currently working at Samuel Creations S.A. To date Lisa has designed a bar for Accor group in Dubai and has been heavily involved in the organisation of the IFI 2009 Congress program.

Lisa hopes to one day take her interior design career to Japan where she can make the most of her two passions.

Congress Secretariat
MCI, P.O. Box 124752, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: + 971 (0)4 341 5663, Fax: + 971 (0)4 341 5664,
Email: ifi2009dubai@mci-group.com