GITEX Global is the largest technology show in the region, and it sits on the Dubai calendar like a fixed point. If you are exhibiting this December, the clock is already short. If you are planning for 2027, you have time to do it properly. This guide covers the dates, the venue split, your stand options at each lead time, realistic budget bands, and the design rules we use on the floor.
We are a Dubai stand builder with a 15,000 sq ft production facility in Dubai Investment Park (DIP). We build exhibition stands for GITEX every year, so what follows comes from build weeks, not brochures.
When and where is GITEX Global 2026?
Per the organiser’s site, GITEX Global 2026 runs from 7 to 11 December 2026. The GITEX Summit conference day is on 7 December at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The exhibition itself runs from 8 to 11 December at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai.
That venue split matters for stand builders. Exhibitor access, loading routes and build windows differ by venue, so always read the exhibitor manual for the hall you are in. Dates and venues for large shows can change, so confirm everything on the official GITEX website before you commit budget.
Who walks the floor, and what do they expect?
GITEX draws technology buyers, investors, government delegations, startups and enterprise teams from around the world. Visitors move fast and judge a stand in seconds. They are looking for three things: who you are, what you do, and where to stand to see it. A stand that answers those three questions from the aisle will out-perform a bigger stand that does not.
Demo-led exhibitors do best here. People want to touch a product, watch a screen or try a headset. That shapes everything from layout to lighting, which we cover below.
What stand options do you have at GITEX?
Your choice depends mainly on one thing: how many weeks you have. Here is how the options compare.
| Option | What you get | Typical lead time | Best for |
| Space only + custom build | Raw floor space. A fully bespoke stand designed to your brand. | 2 months for design and sign-off, then fabrication (we plan 2 months UAE, 3 to 5 months international) | Flagship stands, 36 sqm and above, brands that need a unique structure |
| Space only + modular system | Reusable aluminium frame with printed graphics. Custom counters and screens. | 4 to 6 weeks | Mid-size stands, brands that exhibit several times a year |
| Shell scheme upgrade | Organiser-supplied shell with added graphics, furniture and AV. | 2 to 4 weeks | Small stands, first-time exhibitors, tight budgets |
| Rental stand | Pre-designed stand configuration, branded for you and returned after the show. | 2 to 4 weeks | Late bookings, one-off shows |
If you are reading this in late October for a December show, a fully custom stand is tight but a modular or upgraded build is realistic. We would rather say that now than promise something we cannot deliver. For a deeper look at the economics, read our guide to custom vs rental stands.
How much does a GITEX stand cost?
Cost has two parts: the space you rent from the organiser and the stand you build on it. Space is priced per square metre by the organiser, so request the current rate card. Build cost varies with design, materials and AV. As a planning guide, these are indicative build bands for UAE shows (excluding space rental, AV hire and VAT).
| Stand type | Typical size | Indicative build budget (AED per sqm) |
| Shell scheme upgrade | 9 to 18 sqm | AED 600 to 1,200 |
| Modular system | 18 to 54 sqm | AED 1,200 to 2,200 |
| Custom single-storey | 36 to 200 sqm | AED 2,000 to 3,800 |
| Custom double-deck or feature build | 100 sqm and above | AED 3,500 and above |
These are planning ranges, not a quote. Your final figure depends on your brief. For a full breakdown of what pushes cost up or down, see our exhibition stand cost guide for Dubai.
One cost lever is worth knowing early. If you exhibit more than once a year, a stand of 54 sqm and above can be stored and rebuilt. In our experience that saves 20 to 30 percent against a new build each time.
Your countdown timeline
Work back from the date the hall opens to exhibitors. This is the sequence we run for every show build.
10 to 12 weeks out:
Confirm space and stand number. Brief your stand builder. Lock your objectives (leads, meetings, product launches).
8 weeks out:
Approve the concept and 3D design. Confirm the demo plan and AV needs.
6 weeks out:
Submit stand drawings to the organiser for approval. Order long-lead items such as LED walls, special finishes and furniture.
4 weeks out:
Start fabrication at the workshop. Finalise graphics and artwork.
2 weeks out:
Complete pre-assembly and quality checks. Send passes and staff lists. Book power and internet.
Build window:
On-site installation by the crew, power checks, graphics and final styling.
Show days:
Daily stand walk-through, lead-capture checks, quick fixes by on-site crew.
Dismantle:
Strip-out, waste removal, and decision on storage for reuse.
Design rules of thumb for GITEX Stands
Put the message above head height:
Visitors read your brand from 20 metres. Use a high fascia or hanging sign with one short line.
Design the demo zone first:
Give each demo a clear spot, a screen visitors can see from the aisle, and room for four to six people to stand and watch.
Go LED-first:
Large LED surfaces carry motion, product shots and live data far better than printed graphics. See more in our stand design trends guide.
Keep a meeting area:
A closed or semi-closed lounge turns a browse into a conversation. Allow at least 20 percent of floor area.
Plan storage:
Brochures, spare screens and staff bags need a hidden cupboard or the stand looks cluttered by noon on day one.
How to capture leads that you can actually use
A busy stand with no follow-up is a cost, not an investment. Decide before the show how you will capture and qualify leads. Badge scanners, QR forms and CRM sync all work. What matters is consistency: every conversation ends with a captured contact and a one-line note on what the visitor wanted. Send the first follow-up within 48 hours, while your stand is still fresh in their mind.
Mistakes first-time GITEX exhibitors make
- Booking space but leaving the design brief until six weeks out.
- Choosing a stand builder on price alone, without checking whether they have their own factory and on-site crew. Our guide on how to choose an exhibition stand builder in Dubai lists the questions to ask.
- Underestimating AV and power, which can add 10 to 15 percent to the final budget.
- Sending too few staff, or staff who do not know the demo script.
Looking beyond Dubai? Many GITEX exhibitors also show in Europe. Our post on Hannover Messe vs GITEX explains how to plan one stand concept across both.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is GITEX Global 2026?
GITEX Global 2026 runs from 7 to 11 December 2026, with the GITEX Summit on 7 December and the exhibition from 8 to 11 December. Always confirm on the official GITEX site.
Where is the GITEX Global exhibition held?
Per the organiser, the exhibition runs at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai, and the one-day Summit is at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
How long does it take to build a GITEX stand?
Plan for two months of design and approvals for a custom stand before fabrication starts. Modular and shell upgrade options can be delivered in two to six weeks.
How much does a GITEX stand cost?
Build budgets typically range from about AED 600 per sqm for a shell upgrade to AED 3,500 per sqm and above for large custom builds, plus the organiser’s space fee. Request a quote for your brief.
Can I still exhibit at GITEX if I book late?
Often yes, if space is available. A modular, rental or shell upgrade stand is the realistic choice at short notice.