Visa International was awarded the prestigious ‘Best Retail Promotion’ Innovation Award during the Dubai Shopping Festival 2006-2007 at the official Closing Ceremony held on 4 February 2007.

Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Visa was nominated as the winner of the Best Retail Promotion, competing against thousands of entries from DSF Patrons, Key Sponsors, Support Sponsors, participating retail outlets and shopping malls.

There are only six DSF Awards categories and entries were evaluated by an expert panel of judges based on a report by independent mystery shoppers. Activity is judged on originality and innovation appeal of the idea, quality of execution, visual impact and thematic consistency and expected business results.

Collecting the award, Kamran Siddiqi, General Manager for Visa International Middle East commented, “We are delighted to be presented with such a prestigious award for ‘Best Retail Promotion’. The DSF Innovation Award is the ultimate recognition of innovation and business success proving that Visa sets standards for the payment industry to follow.” “The award demonstrates Visa’s commitment to adding value for its customers through innovative promotions and activities that allow everyone to experience the convenience and security of paying by card instead of cash. In the eleven years that Visa has sponsored the event this is the second time that Visa has won an Innovation Award with the ‘Best Consumer Promotion’ award being won in 2001, continued Siddiqi.

“I would also like to say a special thank you to our valued member banks and merchants who have chosen Visa as their preferred local payment partner and supported the promotion by effectively communicating Visa’s activities to their customers,” Siddiqi concluded.

Securing its place as the winner of the award, Visa’s extensive DSF promotion included numerous ways in which customers could benefit from using their cards instead of cash for everyday spending, in addition to the convenience and security of paying by cards.

Dragon shaped kiosks were placed in Deira City Centre, Mall of Emirates and Ibn Battuta Mall. For cardholders to present a Visa transaction slip to play ‘The Dragon Game’ for a chance to win instant Visa branded gifts.

For every transaction made during DSF with a Visa Credit or Visa Electron card in the UAE cardholders received automatic entry into the prize draw to win one of four precious diamond and blue gem necklaces worth AED 500,000. Cardholders also received double entry into the prize draw by using their Visa Credit or Visa Electron at selected outlets.

Visa cardholders even had an exclusive opportunity to win a Bentley Continental GT Car at Bin Hendi Outlets by spending Dhs1000 during DSF. Meanwhile, Visa cardholders could also compete for prizes through extensive radio, SMS and online ‘Find the Dragon Rider’ competition.