The Dubai World Trade Centre has outlined an optimistic outlook for the business events sector, announcing plans to host over 100 exhibitions, conferences, and business activities by the end of 2026. This ambitious agenda coincides with ongoing advancements in the second phase of the master plan for the expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Centre, which carries an impressive total cost of AED 10 billion.
Resilience and Adaptability in the Business Events Sector
Maher Jalfar, the Deputy CEO of the Dubai World Trade Centre, remarked on the sector’s resilience and adaptability in meeting evolving needs, emphasising that this is evident in the current landscape. He stated, “As we approach the final quarter of the year, which is packed with events, we maintain our focus on delivering the highest levels of service for organisers, exhibitors, and visitors, thereby enhancing confidence and supporting growth with every event we host.”
Driving Economic Growth
Jalfar further highlighted the significant role that business events play in propelling broader economic growth in Dubai. These events attract businesses, investors, and decision-makers from around the world, fostering partnerships and opening doors to new markets.
Future-Ready Facilities
Amer Al-Farsi, Vice President of Real Estate Development at the Dubai World Trade Centre, noted that the expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Centre aims to cater to future requirements within the global events sector. He mentioned, “The first phase has proven the capacity and flexibility that the centre provides following its expansion, and we continue to build on these foundations during the second phase.”
Expansion Plans and Economic Contributions
The expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Centre, taking place in three phases within the Expo City, is set to elevate the next generation of infrastructure for the business events sector in Dubai. The first phase of the expansion was completed in early 2026, increasing the total space to 140,000 square metres designed for hosting events, with the capability to accommodate 50,000 visitors daily. When the second phase is completed, the internal exhibition space will reach 160,000 square metres, raising the daily visitor capacity to approximately 60,000. Upon the full completion of the expansion in 2031, the Dubai Exhibition Centre will boast 180,000 square metres over a stretch of 1.2 kilometres, with a daily capacity of 65,000 visitors and the ability to host more than 20 events simultaneously. This expansion supports the Dubai World Trade Centre’s ambition to augment its annual economic contributions to AED 54 billion by 2033, aligning with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).