Dubai World Trade Centre March Calendar

Following a successful start to 2013, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is set to kick off another busy month with a series of industry-shaping exhibitions and conferences starting March 5, 2013. DWTC has a robust line-up of 13 events this March.

Building on the momentum of what has been an impressive first quarter, DWTC will welcome international and regional exhibitors from pivotal industries this month including: education, leisure, healthcare, technology, pharmaceuticals and design.

Centrally located on the world map, Dubai provides an ideal platform for local and international brands to connect and conduct business with industry peers from across Europe, Asia, the Subcontinent and the Americas. According to an ‘Economic Impact Assessment’ report prepared by Oxford Economics, DWTC’s calendar of events drove a high 20% contribution towards Dubai’s entire tourism sector in 2011, highlighting DWTC’s role in attracting an increasing number of international business travellers.

The impressive line-up of events in March will commence with the internationally acclaimed Dubai International Boat Show, which takes place from March 5 to 9. Over 11 global and 19 regional launches are expected to take place over the five days, featuring some of the leading yachts and boats from both, local and international builders together with the latest innovations in marine equipment and accessories.

Paperworld Middle East and Playworld Middle East will take place from March 5 to 7. This double-header is expected to bring in more than 5,500 visitors from 94 countries and provides clear opportunities for Western markets to network with the emerging subcontinent and Asian markets. Paperworld is one of the main networking platforms for the paper-production industry, drawing top retailers to Dubai. Running in its third year, more than 239 exhibitors are expected to participate in Paperworld, occupying 25% more space in 2013 than in 2012. Playworld Middle East is the only trade exhibition in the region dedicated to products for children of all ages. It will feature international brands seeking to capitalise on Dubai’s central geography to break into the world’s top emerging markets.

Another prominent sector to be featured in March is healthcare. DWTC will welcome leading regional and international congresses that will address crucial topics such as orthopaedics, pharmaceuticals and women’s health. The first among these is the International Congress for Joint Reconstruction (ICJR), which will run from March 7 to 9. With the goal of reshaping orthopaedic education, ICJR will bring together world-renowned orthopaedic surgeons, physicians and physiotherapists to discuss cutting-edge solutions for effective patient treatment.

Following ICJR is the Dubai International Pharmaceuticals and Technologies Conference and Exhibition (DUPHAT) which will run from the March 10 to 12. Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, DUPHAT has cemented itself as a leading congress for the pharmaceutical industry and technology in the region. Its importance to the industry is underscored by the fact that it generated more than Dhs600m in business deals in 2012. Rounding up the healthcare shows will be Obs-Gyne Exhibition and Congress, the leading congress in the region that deals with women’s health and well-being. More than 1,450 attendees are expected to take part in the congress this year, marking the largest turnout in its five-year history.

The technology and research sector is set to witness another mega show in March, starting with Arablab on March 10 to 13. Arablab will showcase technological advances and sources of research for a multitude of sectors including petrochemical, medical, agricultural, and energy industries. More than 10,250 visitors from 95 countries are set to take part in this annual event.

The nineteenth edition of CABSAT, the leading broadcast, digital media and satellite expo in the region, and third largest on the global calendar, will see its biggest event ever from March 12 – 14, reflecting the strength of the media industry in the Middle East and Africa. 840 exhibitors from 55 countries are expected to participate in the show, which has seen a 15% growth compared to 2012, making it the largest edition in the history of the show.

The Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship and Fair is scheduled to take place from March 21 to 23, under the patronage of H. H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance. The Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship (DIAHC) will be celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and this competition will display the beauty, agility and heritage of purebred Arabian Horses. Now entering its 9th edition, Dubai International Horse Fair (DIHF) has firmly established its reputation as the finest equestrian business event in the Middle East, attracting over 200 companies from 35 countries.

Other shows scheduled to be held in March are: Gulf Educational Supplies and Solutions from March 5 – 7, The International Outdoor Design and Landscaping Show from March 25 – 27, Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition from March 25 – 27, and AGRA Middle East Exhibition from March 26 – 28.