A global business facilitator since 1979, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) (Arabic: مركز دبي التجاري العالمي) is a prominent purpose-built convention and exhibition centre. DWTC provides a platform for connecting people, products, innovation and ideas from around the world through a dynamic calendar of international tradeexhibitions and its own roster of sector leading mega events.[2] As a designated free zone, complemented by award-winning[3] commercial real estate, DWTC plays an integral role in Dubai and the region’s growth story with an estimated total economic output of AED 200 Billion, attracting over 30 million business visitors to Dubai over the past four decades.[4]
History
The history of the Dubai World Trade Centre dates back to its completion in 1979 when it was originally named the Sheikh Rashid Tower, marking Dubai's inaugural major tower and business center. Designed by John R. Harris and Partners (JRHP), the tower was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II on February 26, 1979.[5][6][7] Subsequent expansions included the inauguration of Halls 1 and 2 of the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) in 1988, followed by Hall 3. In 1996, Halls 4–8 expanded DWTC's exhibition space by approximately 27,870 square meters. The year 2003 witnessed the opening of the new Dubai International Convention Exhibition Centre, along with a concourse connecting Halls 1 and 2, the Convention Tower, Novotel, and Ibis Hotels.
In 2009, Sheikh Saeed Halls opened, augmenting the total exhibition floorspace to 92,900 square meters. In 2015, the DWTC Authority was established under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and ruler of Dubai.[8] The year 2016 witnessed the addition of Za’abeel Halls, contributing 15,500 square meters of event space. Simultaneously, phase 1 of One Central, a commercial development in DWTC, was completed, including Offices 1 with 14,197 square meters of leasable space for businesses and multiple retail and F&B outlets. The same year marked the opening of the 588-room Ibis One Central hotel.
In 2017, phase 2 of One Central was completed, featuring offices 2 and 3, offering over 69,000 square meters of combined leasable space for companies, along with numerous retail and F&B outlets and a rooftop restaurant space. In December 2018, One Central's phase 3, including Offices 4 and 5, was completed, providing more than 64,500 square meters of commercial space.[9]
Venue Service Management (VSM)
Venue Services Management (VSM) at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) oversees the leasing, operations, and management of DWTC's portfolio of venues including Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre (DICEC), Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City Dubai, and Jafza One Convention Centre. VSM also manages key DWTC brands such as ‘Hospitality by DWTC’, ‘Weddings by DWTC’, ‘Event Plus’ and ‘Emirates Palace Catering’, in addition to organising ‘Dubai Sports World’, and ‘The Majlis’, annually.
Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC)
Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) is a prestigious purpose-built world-class venue in the region. It serves as a venue for a wide range of events, from industry conferences and gala dinners to networking and board meetings.[10] Located in the heart of Dubai’s Central Business District with a dedicated metro station, DICEC offers a total of 145,000 square metres of customisable indoor event space, spanning across 21 halls and 40 meeting rooms equipped with cutting-edge technology. Additionally, it offers various premium facilities, amenities, retail shops and restaurants. DICEC adheres to the highest international standards in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) and is certified by Green Globe, the global leader in sustainable tourism certification since 2020.[11]
Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC)
Developed and managed by DWTC, the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) was built for the global mega-event Expo 2020 Dubai for hosting significant national and international events. It is a state-of-the-art exhibition centre, located in Expo City Dubai with an on-site metro station, 300 metres from the renowned Al Wasl Plaza, 20 minutes away from Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) and equidistant from Downtown Dubai and Abu Dhabi. DEC offers 46,000 square metres of indoor event space and 12,000 square metres of internal concourse area and is divided into the North and South Halls featuring six multi-partitionable halls that can host up to eight events simultaneously.[12] DEC also includes 24 meeting rooms, four suites for workshops and seminars and award-winning bespoke hospitality and event catering services.[13]
Jafza One Convention Centre (JAFZA)
Jafza One Convention Centre, located in the Jafza One commercial tower in Jebel Ali Free Zone, offers versatile event spaces, including a 600-seat auditorium that can be partitioned into 300-seat independent auditoriums, a 1,000-square-metre partitionable function/ballroom hall, a 1,500-square-metre exhibition hall, and 24 flexible meeting rooms.[14]
Services
DWTC provides event service teams and infrastructure to organisers and exhibitors and has hosted royalty, international dignitaries, and guests from around the world.[15] Additional services include Hospitality and Weddings by DWTC, along with Event Plus, a dedicated online e-commerce platform and services targeted at exhibitors.
Hospitality by DWTC is an award-winning catering service that can provide up to 40,000 meals per day across a range of global cuisines, led by a team of 148 recognised chefs representing a world map of nationalities, knowledge, and gastronomic inspiration.[16]
Weddings by DWTC offers wedding planning services, suitable for intimate gatherings or large-scale celebrations whether at one of the DWTC venues or at the location of the customer’s choice. DWTC is the esteemed venue of choice and catering service provider for prominent and influential families within the United Arab Emirates.[17]
Event Plus is DWTC’s dedicated e-commerce platform facilitating seamless onsite delivery, providing exhibitors 24/7 support with everything they need for successful participation. From data and telecom to stand design and build solutions, as well as advertising across the venue, Event Plus ensures a seamless experience.[18]
Additional Services: 24-hour surveillance, accredited security staff, x-ray machine protocols, event security planning, logistics, traffic marshalling, admission control, medical response, round-the-clock cleaning services, media broadcasting facilities, indoor and outdoor event branding and advertising solutions, and VIP protocol division.
Events and Exhibitions Management
DWTC is known for hosting a variety of trade and business events, ranging from niche trade events to mass-market consumer expos across a range of sectors spanning from technology, food, leisure, hospitality, marine, automotive, lifestyle and others.[19]
DWTC currently owns some of the region’s largest exhibitions that have helped establish the UAE as a top destination for major international business events including GITEX GLOBAL and Gulfood.[20] After 42 years of connecting tech, government, start-ups, and investors, GITEX GLOBAL expanded globally with GITEX AFRICA in Morocco for 2023, and GITEX Europe led by KAOUN International, DWTC's international event organising company.[21]
During the year 2022, DWTC hosted 1.98 million delegates, marking a visitation growth of 29%. The results were driven by 244 MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), business and consumer events. Of these, 97 Exhibitions and Conferences attracted 1.8 million attendees, of whom 38% were from overseas, reflecting Dubai’s position as the destination of choice for business and tourism.[22][23]
Real Estate
Sheikh Rashid Tower
Sheikh Rashid Tower is a commercial property historic for its role in Dubai’s rise as a destination for international trade and commerce. It was the region’s first high-rise tower, inaugurated in February 26, 1979 by Queen Elizabeth II. It comprises 39 floors.[24]
Convention Tower
The 13-storey Convention Tower is a purpose-built commercial building that provides office spaces to various corporate entities. Completed in 2004, this building accommodates both private and government tenants. Notably, the structure incorporates floor-to-ceiling windows, ensuring an abundance of natural light within its office spaces, which vary in size from 2,500 sq. ft. to entire floors at 19,600 sq. ft. All offices within the building are located in the DWTC Free Zone, granting tenants access to numerous business-related privileges. Furthermore, the tower's location offers convenient proximity to retail outlets, food and beverage establishments, as well as on-site business hotels. Tenants also benefit from easy access to numerous business events held throughout the year.[25]
One Central
One Central is a Grade-A commercial development located within the Central Business District of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This prominent development is strategically positioned at the crossroads of international trade, finance, and business, showcasing Dubai's iconic skyline. As a commercial district, One Central has already welcomed many leading firms into its over 58,000 square metres (1.7 million square feet) of premium office space. It is also home to a 588-room Ibis hotel and a growing collection of restaurants and cafés. This mixed-use master-planned development’s public spaces and smart amenities offer a lively and distinctive sense of community. Tenants and guests alike enjoy quick access to surrounding city landmarks, a range of dining options from casual cafés to haute cuisine, world-class facilities, a hip 25hours Hotel and co-working spaces.[26][27][28]
Expo Village Residences
Originally developed by Dubai World Trade Centre as the official residential community for Expo 2020 Dubai delegates, Expo Village is an emerging and sought-after residential and business hub situated at the heart of the sprawling Dubai South development. With 2,273 units spread across four clusters, it is home to a growing international community and offers furnished short-term or annual lease rental options with doorstep access to major business hubs, highways, and transportation links - including a dedicated metro station – as well as essential retail services, green spaces, walking areas, leisure facilities, and nearby Expo City dining and entertainment destinations.[29]
The Apartments
The Apartments is an extended-stay property featuring 543 units, centrally located facing Sheikh Zayed Road, and less than a minute from the main exhibition halls, that offer short-stay serviced accommodation to event organisers and exhibition professionals.[30] The apartments range in size from studios to three bedrooms and benefit from amenities that include a business centre, an outdoor pool with attached cafe, an eatery and bar, gym facilities, a sauna and a steam room.
Jumeirah Living World Trade Centre Residences
Located adjacent to Dubai World Trade Centre, Jumeirah Living World Trade Centre Residences offers luxurious 5-star accommodation for business and leisure travellers. Guests can choose from a range of one-to-four-bedroom serviced apartments for short, mid-term and extended stays. These serviced apartments are well-suited for corporate retreats, offering in-room services and amenities on-site.[31]
Hotels
Dubai World Trade Centre offers convenient accommodation options for visitors and travellers. The hotels are situated within the DWTC premises, providing guests with easy access to events and exhibitions.
Established in 2015, Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA) is a competitive free zone ecosystem. Located in Dubai's Central Business District, offering Grade A commercial buildings and various workspaces, its tenants benefit from networking and collaboration opportunities during world-class events. The free zone is home to 2,000+ companies from 40+ industries spanning construction, healthcare, IT, media, and trade. In line with DWTC’s overall commitment to growing industry sectors, the free zone regulated by the DWTC Authority provides an environment for leading companies, start-ups, and entrepreneurs and is open to businesses across a multitude of industry sectors that require world-class commercial offices. It is the DWTC Authority’s focus to create the regulatory framework and policies to create and sustain a business-friendly and enabling destination.[32][33][34]
Free Zone Services
Company Formation
Guidance for Free Zone Establishment (FZE), Free Zone Company (FZCO), LLC branch, foreign company branch, and Business Operating Permit issuance. Support for registration amendments, ownership changes, and share capital amendments.[35]
Licensing Services
DWTCA provides different types of licences including support for obtaining new licences, business operating permits and renewal, amendment, or cancellation of existing licences in Dubai’s Central Business District strategic location, for businesses seeking a well-regulated ecosystem under the jurisdiction of the DWTC Authority.[36]
License Types:
Commercial
General Trading
Professional
Event Management
E-commerce
Single Family Office
Multi-Family Office
Virtual Assets
In December 2021, as part of the Dubai government's efforts to create new economic sectors, DWTC became a comprehensive zone and regulator for virtual assets and crypto, including digital assets, products, operators, and exchanges.[37][38]
Awards and Recognitions
Over the years, the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has received numerous awards, recognising its contributions to the business and events industry, its architectural significance, and its role in promoting Dubai as a global business hub. Some of the notable awards and recognitions include:
