Expo Centre Sharjah celebrates 48 years on Global Exhibitions Day
3 million annual visitors reinforce its role in regional trade
SHARJAH: Expo Centre Sharjah commemorated the 10th annual Global Exhibitions Day (GED) on Wednesday, under the theme “Exhibitions Unleash Potential”, marking nearly five decades of excellence in the exhibitions industry.
Held at the Centre’s premises, the celebration was attended by Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Expo Centre Sharjah, and Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah. Department heads, managers, and staff also joined the commemorative event.
The occasion reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to fostering economic, cultural, and developmental progress in Sharjah and the UAE. A special video presentation showcased the Centre’s achievements since its founding in 1977 – the first exhibition venue in the region.
Leadership vision
Thanks to the vision and steadfast support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed AlQasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Centre moved in 2002 to its current location, a 128,000-square-metre facility equipped to host world-class events.
Today, Expo Centre Sharjah attracts around 3 million visitors annually and hosts over 80 exhibitions and events, drawing participation from more than 7,000 companies and brands representing nearly 60 countries. These numbers firmly position the emirate as a prominent player in the global exhibitions arena.
Speaking at the ceremony, Abdallah Sultan Al Owais highlighted the strategic importance of the exhibition sector in driving Sharjah’s sustainable development and contributing to economic growth. He noted that the sector directly influences related fields such as tourism. In 2024, Sharjah welcomed 1.6 million hotel guests, an increase of 11% compared to the previous year.
Strong performance
CEO Saif Mohammed Al Midfa emphasised that Global Exhibitions Day arrives during a period of robust performance and diversification at the Centre. In 2024 alone, the venue welcomed nearly 3 million visitors, with a broadened portfolio of sector-specific exhibitions.
In the first half of 2025, the Centre maintained positive momentum. New exhibitors made up almost 20% of total participants, reinforcing the Centre’s growing international appeal.
He further cited figures from the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), revealing that the global exhibitions sector generated USD 398.2 billion in total spending in 2024, including USD 162.3 billion in direct expenditures, and contributed USD 233.1 billion to global GDP.
In addition to activities at its main venue, Expo Centre Sharjah expanded its reach through affiliate centres in Khorfakkan and Al Dhaid. These extensions have played an important role in spreading the benefits of exhibitions across the emirate.
Event milestones
The 2025 calendar began with the “SteelFab” exhibition, which drew nearly 300 companies from 35 countries. The event facilitated major trade agreements, strengthening Sharjah’s image as an industrial hub.
This was followed by the Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition “ACRES 2025”, which hosted over 110 exhibitors. The event achieved notable success, with real estate transactions exceeding Dh4.3 billion and a footfall of more than 15,000 visitors.
In early 2025, the Jewels of Emirates Show attracted over 500 brands and top designers. The “Ramadan Nights” exhibition in March and the Hive Furniture Show in May continued the strong run of events.
Notably, the 55th edition of the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show set new benchmarks, drawing over 87,000 visitors and showcasing the work of 1,800 designers and experts from around the world. First-time participants included exhibitors from Russia, Mexico, Tanzania, and Egypt.
International engagement remained a priority. In 2024, the Centre signed approximately 12 cooperation agreements with global partners and welcomed a series of high-level foreign delegations, further extending its international network.
The Centre also hosted the first World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) Middle East Members Conference in 2025. The event gathered representatives from the region’s 18 World Trade Center businesses, underscoring Sharjah’s growing importance on the global trade map.
Looking ahead, the Centre is set to launch a dynamic range of exhibitions in the second half of 2025. These include debut editions of the Middle East Cosmetics Show, Evolve Future Mobility Show, and Dairy Tech Middle East – initiatives that reflect the Centre’s continued commitment to innovation and sectoral diversification.
To conclude the celebration, Abdallah Sultan Al Owais and Saif Mohammed Al Midfa honoured a group of distinguished team members for their dedication and contributions to the Centre’s sustained success.