Photo Credit: WAM
Dubai, UAE — June 2026 —The Sharjah Expo Centre has attracted more than 500,000 visitors during the first half of 2026, drawn to over 30 specialized economic, commercial, and community exhibitions and events featuring around 1,900 exhibitors from 45 countries worldwide.
The milestone figures reflect significant growth rates that have cemented the centre’s standing as one of the region’s premier exhibitions and conferences destinations.
According to the Emirates News Agency, the achievements were announced during a ceremony hosted by the centre to mark World Exhibitions Day, held this year under the theme “Exhibitions Create Opportunities.”
The event was attended by Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Sharjah Expo Centre, and Mahmoud Youssef Al Jarrah, Secretary-General of the Arab Union for International Exhibitions and Conferences, alongside department heads, directors, and staff.
The centre’s packed agenda targeted strategic sectors including industry, real estate, jewellery, agriculture, retail, and entrepreneurship. Headline events included Steel Fab 2026, the Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition ACRES 2026, UAE Jewels 2026, Ramadan Nights, and an Eid Al Adha Shopping Festival, as well as events hosted at the Dhaid Expo and Khor Fakkan Expo centres.
Al Midfa said the record results reflect the centre’s clear strategic vision, built on developing operational mechanisms, enhancing efficiency, and expanding the range of events to meet the needs of the business community. He noted that the achievements align with the UAE’s global standing, having ranked first regionally and 31st worldwide in the 2025 ICCA Country and City Rankings report published by the International Congress and Convention Association.
The CEO also highlighted the centre’s ongoing efforts to broaden its international network, having received delegations and held bilateral meetings with exhibition organizers and international bodies — including the UK’s IMEX Group and Germany’s Messe Essen, to exchange best practices and attract more global events to Sharjah.
Looking ahead, the Sharjah Expo Centre is preparing to launch a series of specialized and seasonal exhibitions in the second half of 2026. Leading the lineup is the 57th Middle East Watch and Jewellery Show, scheduled for June 10–14, with approximately 400 exhibitors from 19 countries.
Further events include the Emirates Perfume and Oud Exhibition, the Middle East Beauty Show, Future Mobility, and the International Education Exhibition, alongside a broad range of trade and consumer events designed to drive economic activity across all segments of society.
