GITEX Global 2026 runs 7 – 11 December at its new home, the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai — the world’s largest tech and AI show, expecting 200,000+ attendees, 6,800+ exhibiting companies and delegations from 180+ countries. A bigger venue and a December slot change the exhibitor playbook this year: more space to fill, cooler outdoor options, and a booking clock that is already running. Here is how to exhibit well — from stand strategy to lead capture.
The 2026 changes that matter to exhibitors
The move from DWTC to Expo City’s Dubai Exhibition Centre brings larger, purpose-built halls (North and South), heavy parking capacity and metro access — but also a new floor plan where old location instincts no longer apply. Study the new hall map before choosing a plot: corner and island positions near feature stages and the startup zones will carry the traffic. The December dates put GITEX in Dubai’s peak season — book crew hotels and logistics early, because the whole city is busy.
Stand options and realistic budgets
Dubai stand pricing holds across venues: modular builds at roughly AED 800 – 1,500 per sqm, custom stands AED 1,500 – 3,000+, premium and double-deck builds beyond AED 3,000 – 5,000 per sqm — so a 36 sqm custom presence typically lands AED 55,000 – 110,000 for the build, before space costs from the organizer. At GITEX specifically, design ambition runs high: an under-invested stand next to region-leading builds reads as a statement about your product. If budget is finite, spend it on one arresting visual moment and a working demo rather than square meters.
The timeline from today
Book space and confirm your stand design partner now — good production slots for December deliveries fill by early autumn. Design freeze by end of September; organizer approvals for custom builds (structural drawings, rigging requests) submitted per the exhibitor manual deadlines; graphics to print 3 – 4 weeks out; build crews booked with contingency days, because December’s calendar is crowded and the new venue’s move-in procedures are their first at this scale.
Winning the show itself
Decide the one thing a visitor should remember, and design the stand to deliver it in 90 seconds. Run live demos on a loop with a schedule visible from the aisle. Train booth staff on qualifying questions — GITEX traffic is enormous, and the skill is politely finding the 5% who matter. Scan every conversation into a CRM the same hour, tier leads nightly, and get first follow-ups out before the show ends; the exhibitor who emails Friday beats the one who emails next Wednesday, every time.
Exhibit with a partner who does this for a living
From concept and build to organizer paperwork and show-floor operations, our exhibition and trade show team delivers turnkey GITEX presences. Send us your plot size and objectives and we will return a concept and itemised quote within five working days.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is GITEX Global 2026? 7
11 December 2026 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai — the show’s first edition at its new, larger home.
How much does a GITEX stand cost?
Build costs run roughly AED 800 – 1,500 per sqm modular and AED 1,500 – 3,000+ custom, with premium builds higher; organizer space fees are separate.
When should we book our stand builder?
Immediately for December delivery — reputable contractors’ GITEX slots fill months out, and late bookings pay rush premiums.
What stand size do we need?
9 – 18 sqm works for a focused demo presence; 36+ sqm when meetings, hospitality or multiple demos are part of the plan.
Is GITEX worth it for smaller companies?
Yes — via the startup zones and compact, sharply-designed stands; the show’s buyer traffic rewards focus far more than size.