Expo Centre Sharjah kicked off 2023 with a bang, setting the stage for a thriving exhibition sector in the Emirate of Sharjah. The first quarter of the year saw a flurry of activity at the Centre and its affiliated centres in Khorfakkan and Al Dhaid, with a plethora of major local and international exhibitions and events taking place.
This included 15 economic, commercial, and cultural exhibitions, a staggering 25 percent increase from the same period last year when only 12 exhibitions were hosted. Attracting a diverse array of international and regional participants, including major companies and brands, these events drew over 100,000 visitors to the bustling exhibition centre.
Among the standout exhibitions were SteelFab, which featured 200 local and international companies and showcased 400 global brands, and the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show, hosting an impressive 500 exhibitors.
Annual events
The resounding success of the centre’s new exhibition season has cemented these events as annual fixtures on the Expo Centre Sharjah’s calendar. The UAE Schools and Nursery Show, for instance, garnered significant interest, drawing substantial participation from leading educational institutions, schools, kindergartens, and private education centres across the nation.
Expo Centre Sharjah has also played a significant role in fostering collaborative efforts with various government agencies, institutions, and specialised organisations to advance the exhibition industry at the state and regional levels. The centre recently has inked memorandums of understanding (MoU) with the Sharjah Private Education Authority, the Council of Indian Exhibition Organisers, and the International Congress and Convention Association. Moreover, the centre engaged in discussions with Etisalat Services Holding (ESH) to explore avenues for enhanced cooperation.
In addition to these partnerships, the centre has made its presence felt at a number of international events dedicated to the exhibition industry. A prime example is the Global CEO Summit 2023, organised by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) in Lisbon, Portugal, which took place from February 1–3, 2023.
Advancing exhibition industry
Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI and Expo Centre Sharjah, emphasised that the chamber is committed to empowering Expo Centre Sharjah to play a crucial role in advancing the exhibition industry.
Al Owais highlighted that the exhibition industry is a key contributor to economic development and GDP growth, and the centre can play a vital role in supporting these goals. He further noted that the first quarter results of Sharjah’s conferences and exhibitions sector in 2023 were solid and promising, reflecting the diversity and richness of the events calendar, which has attracted thousands of exhibitors and visitors.
For his part, Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, said that 2023 commenced with a series of qualitative and innovative exhibitions designed to stay in step with the latest economic, commercial, and cultural developments, as well as global trends within the exhibition industry.
He stressed that Expo Centre Sharjah looks forward to supporting all key sectors and fields, attracting investors and businessmen from diverse industries, boosting tourism, and diversifying sources of income. Al Midfa noted that the Centre’s achievements in the first quarter of the year have paved the way for a successful events season, featuring a diverse calendar of exhibitions and events that cater to various sectors.
Ahlam Almazrooi/ Binsal Abdulkader