Records impressive rise in number of events hosted and visitor ‎turnout

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, August 29, 2016: Expo Centre Sharjah, the region’s premier exhibition organiser & events venue, has reported strong ‎performance in the first half of 2016, registering an impressive rise in the number of events held and ‎increase in visitor turnout.‎

According to H1 2016 figures, Expo Centre Sharjah (ECS) hosted 15 consumer & trade exhibitions and ‎conferences as against nine events during the same period last year, witnessing over 65% surge; and ‎attracted 320,000 visitors, registering a 20% rise.‎

‎“These figures are a clear indicator of a growing exhibitions industry in the Emirate of Sharjah, and a ‎result of our effective promotion of local industries. What is remarkable about these figures is that the ‎exhibitions industry has successfully withstood the after-effects of low oil prices and geo-political ‎tensions,” said Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah.‎

‎“The exhibitions hosted by ECS are characterized by their diversity and specialization, which contributed ‎to attracting more visitors. Our focus on external organisers has also helped in bringing more events to ‎Sharjah. The growth is also a reflection of our superior infrastructure & technical capabilities and ‎marketing prowess,” added Mr. Midfa.‎

Led by Mr. Midfa, Expo Centre also took part in several prestigious global events, including the Global ‎Association of the Exhibition Industry’s (UFI) Global CEO Summit in Munich in February that saw the ‎participation of 150 top executives of leading exhibition centres from across the world, and the Arab-‎German Business Forum & the Sharjah-Berlin Seminar in Berlin, besides engaging with World Trade ‎Centers of Wuhan and Tianjin in China.‎

‎“Our presence at these conferences and tie-ups gave us an opportunity to promote the Emirate’s unique ‎business-friendly attributes and investment opportunities. With the UAE and Sharjah economy on a ‎positive turf despite prevailing uncertainties, Expo Centre is reaping rich benefits,” said Mr. Midfa.‎
Since Expo Centre is the UFI’s Middle East/Africa Regional Office, and its CEO, Mr. Midfa, the chairman ‎of both the Gulf Chapter of IAEE and the MEA Chapter of UFI, Expo Centre led regional celebrations in ‎observing the first Global Exhibitions Day on June 8, raising awareness about the enormous value of the ‎exhibition industry.‎

The exhibitions held at Expo Centre during this period included SteelFab, International Education Show, ‎National Career Exhibition, Acres Middle East, International Government Communication Forum, Arabia ‎Mold, Plastivision Arabia, Print Pack Arabia, MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show, Sharjah Children’s ‎Reading Festival, Chic Lady, Chinese Products Exhibition and Ramadan Village, among others.‎