Expo Centre Sharjah (ECS) has unveiled its annual events calendar for 2024, featuring a lineup of 49 exhibitions and festivals to be hosted at its headquarters in Sharjah and affiliate centres in Khorfakkan and Al Dhaid. ECS thus continues its trailblazing work advancing the growth of Sharjah’s exhibitions sector and providing state-of-the-art platforms to keep pace with the requirements of the economic landscape, serve the business community, and boost the momentum of trade, industry, tourism, and culture in Sharjah. The Centre’s exhibitions also provide further opportunities to diversify the Emirate’s economy and strengthen its role in achieving sustainable development.

The ECS calendar of events for this year features prominent local, regional, and international events, such as the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show, the Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition - ACRES, Ramadan Nights, Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, Sharjah International Book Fair, the National Career Exhibition, and a slew of other exhibits catering to various vital sectors.

Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of Expo Centre Sharjah, said the UAE’s exhibitions and conferences industry has drawn in profits for key sectors spearheading the nation’s economic growth. These achievements have increased the importance of ECS exhibitions, furthering their role in boosting economic growth, stimulating economic diversification, and solidifying the key components of comprehensive revitalisation that make Sharjah a high-class, competitive destination for commerce, industry, and tourism.

For his part, Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, said the economies of the UAE and the broader MENA region have come to anticipate the considerable momentum generated by ECS’ annual events. In organising these events, the Centre follows a careful approach that considers the interests of different groups of people by presenting high-quality exhibitions — from real estate, industry, and retail events to government forums, book fairs, and art shows. Through its diverse event offerings, the Centre has successfully raised its visitor tallies to over 2.5 million annual visitors. While laying the groundwork for its annual calendar, the Centre’s strategy has focused on organising and hosting exhibitions that meet market requirements and the needs of the business community, designing events that enhance the economic performance of different sectors.

Expo Centre Sharjah’s 2024 events calendar kicked off with the 19th edition of the SteelFab 2024 exhibition, which brought together big names in the metalworking industries from 35 countries. SteelFab, which ran from 8th to 11th January, coincided with the Arab Rubber Expo and was followed by a distinguished new edition of the Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition – ACRES from 17th to 20th January. This month’s programme concludes with the latest edition of the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show, which is slated to run from 31st January to 4th February.

February will also bring with it a special opportunity for photography lovers with the Xposure International Photography Festival, scheduled to begin on 28th February and wrap up on 5th March. Then comes Ramadan Nights, welcoming crowds from 21st March through 10th April, followed by the UAE School and Nursery Show from April 18th to 21st.

From 1st to 12th May, Expo Centre Sharjah will welcome in visitors young and old for the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, followed by another family favourite, Expo Culinaire, where chefs and bakers will delight crowds with culinary creations from different global cuisines, and event-goers can keep up with the latest developments in hospitality and tourism. Then comes the Hive Furniture Show, with its focus on furnishings and interior design. ECS will finish off the month of May with the UAE China Tyres Show and, finally, the Jewels of Emirates Show.

In the second half of 2024, the public can look forward to another set of exhibitions and events, beginning with the Eid Al Adha Exhibition from 12th to 23rd June. Then, appealing to all those involved in government communication, this year’s edition of the International Government Communication Forum will take place on 4th and 5th September.

Another edition of the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show, organised twice annually, will thrill enthusiasts once again with the latest designs in watches, jewellery, diamonds, and precious stones from 25th to 29th September. After this, the public can look forward to the Emirates Perfumes and Oud Exhibition, held from 4th to 13th October, and the International Education Show from 9th to 12th October. On 15th October, ECS will open its doors for the National Career Exhibition, which runs through the 17th. Finally, the Centre will wrap up its annual exhibition schedule with the Sharjah International Book Fair, slated to run from 6th to 17th November.

Meanwhile, Expo Al Dhaid’s 2024 calendar is packed with special events, notably, the Al Dhaid Agriculture Exhibition from 18th to 21st January, followed by the Electronics Expo, Al Dhaid Dates Festival, Al Asayl Exhibition for horse, camel, and falcon services and equipment, another Al Dhaid Dates Festival, and the Adventure and Camping Exhibition.

Expo Khorfakkan also boasts a rich agenda for 2024, including the Ramadan and Eid Exhibition, Khorfakkan Book Fair, the Khorfakkan Innovates Exhibition, Zehbat Ramadan Exhibition, the Ramadan Exhibition, the Eid Al Adha Preparation Exhibition, the Eid Al Adha Exhibition, the Mango Festival, the Perfume Expo, the Eastern Bride Exhibition, and Khorfakkan Winter Exhibition.