Expo Centre Sharjah Achieves Milestone With 80 Exhibitions And Nearly 3 Million Visitors In 2024

Expo Centre Sharjah has solidified its position as a key player in the exhibition and conference sector, enhancing Sharjah's reputation as a global hub. In 2024, the Centre, along with its affiliates in Khorfakkan and Al Dhaid, hosted 80 significant exhibitions. These events attracted nearly 3 million visitors and featured participation from leading companies and brands worldwide.

The diverse range of events included sectors such as commerce, real estate, manufacturing, and culture. Notable highlights were the Sharjah International Book Fair with 1.82 million visitors and the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show, which drew over 150,000 attendees and 1,400 exhibitors across two editions.

Expo Centre Sharjah has been proactive in expanding its international reach through strategic partnerships. It formalised over 10 agreements with regional and global exhibition organisers. A notable partnership was with MIE Events to launch the Evolve Future Mobility Show in 2025, focusing on electric vehicles.

Additionally, an agreement with Pakistan's "Education Scenario International" aims to boost Pakistani educational institutions' participation in the International Education Show. The Centre also partnered with Magnati and PayRow Payment to enhance digital payment services for exhibitors and visitors.

The Centre's event portfolio significantly contributed to various economic sectors. Highlights included "Expo Culinaire," featuring over 3,500 chefs globally; "Come on Kerala," an Indian trade exhibition; and Jewels of Emirates Show. Ramadan Nights saw a 50% increase in visitors compared to 2023, welcoming over 150,000 attendees.

Expo Al Dhaid hosted inaugural events like the Al Dhaid Honey Festival and Adventures and Camping Exhibition. Meanwhile, Expo Khorfakkan organised key events such as the Eastern Bride exhibition and Gulf Perfumes and Fashion exhibition.

Global Participation Strengthens Sharjah’s Position

Expo Centre Sharjah marked successful participations in over 15 global exhibitions. These included the Global Business Forum in India, World Travel Market 2024 in the UK, EdTech Conference in the UK, Cosmoprof India 2024, Global CEO Summit in Amsterdam, and UFI Global Congress in Germany.

Abdallah Sultan Al Owais highlighted that this growth reflects Sharjah's robust economic infrastructure. He noted that state-of-the-art facilities make it an ideal destination for international exhibitions.

Future Plans for Continued Success

The Centre has ambitious plans for 2025 with a diverse calendar of exhibitions. Recurring events include SteelFab 2025 for metalworking and steel fabrication, UAE School and Nursery Show, ACRES real estate exhibition, Jewels of Emirates Show, and Gulf Coatings Show.

New additions like the Evolve Future Mobility Show and Dairy Tech Middle East are set to debut next year. These efforts aim to attract global investors while providing exhibitors a platform to connect with clients.

Saif Mohammed Al Midfa stated: "At Expo Sharjah, we strive to provide an ideal platform for local, regional, and international companies to showcase their products." He emphasised their commitment to organising specialised exhibitions that align with global standards of quality.

The Expo Centre continues enhancing its presence at key global events while fostering cooperation with international entities. This approach aims to enrich its annual calendar with innovative exhibitions that drive sustainable growth.

With inputs from WAM