Going Big in Dubai

Sep 1, 2024|Events|Kaija Wilkinson

Kaija Wilkinson
Sep 1, 2024

Dubai waterfront; photo by ReZet

Inaugural TES to welcome more than 100 exhibitors to DWTC.

images courtesy of Pixabay

A lot has happened in Dubai, U.A.E., in the 45 years since the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) was completed in 1979. When it opened, the DWTC was the city’s tallest building at 39 stories, standing alone among the sand dunes. Fast forward to today and DWTC is surrounded by one record-breaking, remarkable skyscraper after another, perhaps none more famous than the world’s tallest tower, the magnificent Burj Khalifa, soaring more than 160 stories. It’s visible from practically anywhere in the city, so even if you don’t make it a point to visit (and ride its remarkable elevator system), you will most likely see it. But the DWTC, still a favorite among many architecture enthusiasts for its quiet, modernist charm,^[1] will be the host of the inaugural edition of The Elevator Show Dubai (TES). The venue is in Dubai’s central business and financial district, only a few miles from the Burj Khalifa.

In the works before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, TES has been planned for quite some time. Fortunately, interest is strong and has only gained momentum in the past few years. The focus of the inaugural edition of the show is components, and an array of suppliers — from global OEMs to family-owned companies — from more than 14 countries in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and North America plan to showcase their products. In addition, several major European VT associations representing hundreds of small to medium-sized elevator enterprises plan to set up booths to take full advantage of all the networking opportunities. The lion’s share of exhibitors — more than 25 — hail from China, followed by Türkiye with 20, Italy with 14 and the U.A.E. with 12. Exhibitors from Belgium, Canada, Germany, India, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, South Korea, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S. will also be in attendance.

Those attending the show should seize the opportunity to explore one of the world’s most amazing cities. In addition to the Burj Khalifa, Dubai boasts almost too many attractions to count: There’s the Dubai Frame observatory museum and monument — the result of a 2009 architectural competition sponsored by TK Elevator and holding the record for being the largest picture frame in the world, the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel, amusement parks, water parks, ice-skating rinks, museums, shopping malls, magnificent mosques, restaurants, zoos, a series of artificial archipelagos that resemble a palm tree from above and colorful, aromatic souks in the old part of the city. Indeed, the Dubai Frame itself was designed to “continuously frame the development of the past, current and future Dubai.”^[2]

DWTC hosts more than 500 events with more than 3 million visitors from 160 global markets yearly. It is rated as one of the best exhibition centers in the world. Everything needed to host a world-class event is located there. More than 10 hotels are nearby, and it’s just 10 km from Dubai International Airport (DTX).^[3] It is within walking distance, or just a short drive, to some of the most famous landmarks in Dubai including Emirates Towers, Dubai Fountains, The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, The Dubai Mall and The Dubai Frame.^[3]

Even if you don’t have the time to properly explore Dubai, you will definitely have remarkable experiences by simply traveling there. DTX, for example, leaves travelers in awe of its grandeur, elegance and panache.^[4] Among the busiest airports in the world, DTX boasts a duty-free shopping area spanning several acres, a five-star hotel, movie theaters, swimming pools and a massive Zen garden with lush trees, a fish pond and many benches in Terminal 3.^[4] Terminal 3 is also one of the few places in the world where an A380 plane — with a wingspan of nearly 80 m — can land.

We hope to see you at the inaugural TES Dubai. The 2026 edition of TES is tentatively set for autumn 2026 at the DWTC.