Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has started the first phase of the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) expansion at Expo City Dubai after the completion of piling and enabling work contracts. However, main contact work is still under progress. His highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, approved the AED 10 billion expansion plans in September, 2024. After completion, the Dubai Exhibition Centre will be the largest indoor event venue in the region.
With this achievement Dubai will be able to quadruple the number of large-scale events it hosts every year from approx. 300 now to over 600 by 2033 thanks to the expansion of DEC. The masterplan of DEC supports the ambitious objectives of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which includes Expo City Dubai – the first 15-minute city in the UAE- the entire South neighbourhood of Dubai, and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
The first phase of the building starts with the foundation work that includes 48,000 cubic meters of reinforced concrete, 14,000 tonnes of structural steel (the weight of two Eiffel Towers), and 515 piles to support the tower. 78,000 square meters of roof sheeting—the size of 62 Olympic-sized swimming pools—will cover the new show center.
Additionally, the venue current 46,000 square meters, the first phase will add 64,000 square meters of permanent exhibition halls and about 30,000 square meters of temporary halls. By 2026, this development will increase the overall indoor event hosting capacity to a vast 140,000 square meters, allowing for 50,000 visitors each day.
Mahir Julfar, Executive Vice President at Dubai World Trade Centre, said, “The Dubai Exhibition Centre expansion marks a transformative era for Dubai’s MICE sector, solidifying our city’s standing as a global powerhouse for mega events. The expanded venue will enable us to double the number of events from 300 to 600 by 2033, setting new international benchmarks for exhibitions and conferences. With this state-of-the-art facility, we are building a next-generation venue to meet the evolving demands of the global events industry, reinforcing Dubai’s leadership as the destination of choice for world-class mega events and exhibitions.”
Amer Al Farsi, Acting Vice President of Real Estate Development at Dubai World Trade Centre, said, “The DEC expansion is a pivotal step towards the future of Dubai’s flagship mega exhibitions and events. The first phase alone will increase our purpose-built indoor event hosting capacity to 140,000 square metres. The venue is designed to elevate both the exhibitor and visitor experience while embedding sustainability into every aspect of its design and operations. Beyond its physical footprint, this development serves as a catalyst to redefine the global events industry, with Dubai leading the way.”
Source: Propertynews
