Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), has reported the first phase of its Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) expansion at Expo City Dubai, is underway with enabling works contracts now completed.
The AED10bn (US2.72bn) expansion masterplan, approved by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, in September this year, is set to transform Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) into the region’s largest indoor events venue upon completion. The expanded DEC will serve as the new home for mega exhibitions, allowing Dubai to double the number of large-scale events hosted annually from to over 600 by 2033.
The DEC masterplan supports the establishment of Dubai's new urban centre, encompassing Expo City Dubai – the UAE’s first 15-minute city – the overall Dubai South community, and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), in line with the goals of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
Phase 1 of the construction project begins with foundation work involving 515 piles to support the structure, 14,000 tonnes of structural steel – equivalent to the weight of two Eiffel Towers and 48,000 cubic metres of reinforced concrete. The expanded exhibition centre will be covered with 78,000sqm of roof sheeting, an area comparable to 62 Olympic-size swimming pools. The development will also include a dedicated car parking facility and expanded marshalling yards to enhance event turn-around times. A team of international consultants, including Mace and Egis, have been appointed to manage the first phase of the DEC expansion.
The DEC expansion should see a significant boost to DWTC’s share of the multi-billion-dollar MICE industry, leading to a tripling of the sector’s economic contribution to AED54bn annually by 2033.
The first phase will introduce 64,000sqm of permanent exhibition halls, plus around 30,000sqm of temporary halls. This expansion will bring the total indoor events hosting capacity to an expansive 140,000sqm by 2026, enabling a daily visitor capacity of 50,000 people.
Mahir Julfar (pictured), executive vice-president at Dubai World Trade Centre, said the expansion marked “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.”
The expanded DEC will feature enhanced flexibility for diverse event configurations, ranging from exceptional connectivity and accessibility to state-of-the-art digital infrastructure. DWTC’s commitment to sustainability is evidenced by its LEED certification from the US Green Building Council, incorporating many environmentally conscious design elements.
Construction work continues to progress in parallel to ongoing events at the existing DEC facility.
