Key Highlights: 

• RISE will debut as Dubai’s premier real estate exhibition, spotlighting innovation, sustainability, and smart city development.
• The event will feature global developers, high-yield investment zones, and immersive technology showcases.
• Thought leadership conferences will cover future cities, PropTech, digital assets, and ESG in real estate.
• Exclusive networking opportunities will connect investors, developers, and regulators for strategic partnerships.

According to a senior official at the Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai will establish a new trade show and exhibition just for the real estate sector. Still, it will cover more ground than developers, projects, and sales. (source)

According to Mahir Abdulkarim Julfar, Executive Vice President of DWTC, the event, Rise, would serve as a “hub for those in city planning, new ways to build infrastructure, and real estate spanning decades.”  In addition to being the preferred location for Dubai’s largest conferences and exhibitions, DWTC hosts Gitex and Gulfood, two of the biggest events in the industry.

There had been strong speculation that DWTC was coming out with something on real estate of its own, given the key importance the sector plays in the Dubai economy. This is especially true given that the first phase of the Dubai Exhibition Centre, the largest event venue in the Middle East, is expected to open in 2026.

“We’ve maxed out at the original site here (near the World Trade Center), so the goal of expanding with Dubai Exhibition Centre (part of Expo City) is not just about transitioning,” Julfar said.

We performed a thorough survey with the participants in the exhibition sector to find out how they hope to develop over the next three to five years. We made the decision to expand based on that.

“The plan essentially calls for the Dubai Exhibition Center to host three distinct events: Arab Health, Gulfood, and Gitex.”

In 2024, the exhibit industry in Dubai produced an amazing Dh22.35 billion in total economic output from 100 major conferences, conventions, and events.  Together, these events drew almost two million visitors. (Of these, 936,083 had traveled from abroad to Dubai.)

According to the DWTC’s “2024 Economic Impact Assessment,” Dh13.04 billion of the Dh22.35 billion that was created was “retained as gross value added (GVA) to Dubai’s GDP.”

The goal of every DWTC effort is to accelerate the development of an economy that is prepared for the future, said Helal Saeed Almarri, the Director-General of the DWTC Authority. One that promotes enterprise, draws in talent from throughout the world, and permits successful cross-border cooperation.

“The first stage of the development of the Dubai Exhibition Center is expected to be finished in 2026. Our capability to host major international events is growing, and we are strengthening DWTC’s position as an engine for innovation, economic opportunity, and sustainable growth.

Job creation

An estimated 85,533 jobs were created in the MICE (meetings, incentives, exhibits, conferences) and related sectors as a result of the events Dubai sponsors, which saw a 32% increase in attendance.

Julfar said, “The lead time could be anything from 2 to 10 years to be chosen to host international conferences” when asked if the city could realistically attract more events now that the Dubai Exhibition Centre is set to open in 2026. As everyone is aware, Dubai has emerged as the event hub, so what you have is more of a citywide bidding process.

What we are attempting to accomplish is to generate possibilities for co-location or event spin-offs. For example, Medlab will simultaneously be at DWTC, and Arab Health will be at the Dubai Exhibition Centre. It means Medlab will have more space to expand.

What to Expect at ‘Rise’

Rise is being developed to provide an immersive, progressive experience, in contrast to conventional real estate shows. The following are some of the exhibition’s main highlights:

1. Developer Showcases

Regional and international developers will showcase completed and upcoming projects that emphasize sustainability, innovation, and improving lifestyles.  There will be a significant presence of luxury buildings, smart cities, waterfront communities, and megadevelopments.

2. Investment Zones

Dedicated pavilions will showcase high-yield investment options, with a particular emphasis on rapidly expanding districts of Dubai, including Business Bay, Expo City, Dubai Creek Harbour, and Dubai South. Additionally spotlighted will be international investment hotspots from Asia, Africa, and Europe.

3. Tech and Sustainability

At Rise, key themes will include energy-efficient designs, smart homes, green building techniques, and PropTech advancements. Through AR, VR, and AI-powered experiences, audiences will be able to experience the future of living through interactive displays.

4. Conferences and Thought Leadership

Future cities, digital real estate assets (including tokenization and NFTs), ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in real estate development, and the rise of branded homes are just a few of the topics that will be covered by top-tier speakers, panel discussions, and workshops.

5. Networking Opportunities

Rise will connect buyers, sellers, investors, and regulators through matchmaking services, VIP meetings, and private networking events. To connect serious investors with developers and service providers in person, DWTC intends to host carefully selected business meetings.

Final Thoughts: A New Era Begins

Dubai’s dedication to being ahead of global trends and consistently generating value for residents, businesses, and investors alike is demonstrated with the introduction of Rise by the Dubai World Trade Centre. Rise aims to be more than just another exhibition; it will be a living example of real estate’s future, capturing the essence of a city that is always growing.

Anticipation is growing across businesses as Rise gets ready to open. Investors are keen to learn about fresh opportunities. Developers are getting ready to reveal their ambitious initiatives. The world is once again turning to Dubai, not only to see what will happen next but also to participate in it.