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Exhibition Venues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi: Stand Rules Guide

What each UAE venue asks of your stand builder: approvals, rigging, height, fire-rated materials, power and deadlines. Taken from the venues' own rules, so you can plan the right stand the first time.

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  • DWTCDubai World Trade Centre
  • Expo CityDubai Exhibition Centre
  • ADNECAbu Dhabi

Page reviewed November 2026 by the Orange Fairs project team

Venues at a glance

Which venue is your show at?

Rules depend on the venue first and the show second. Here is where the 2026–27 shows are held.

VenueLocationShows in 2026–27Plan for
Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)Sheikh Zayed Road, DubaiGulfood Manufacturing 2026, Big 5 Global 2026, Intersec 2027, Gulf Print & Pack 2027, AEEDC Dubai 2027, WHX Dubai 2027…PTB approval, DWTC-only rigging, 4 m limit in concourses
Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo CityExpo City DubaiGITEX Global 2026, WHX Dubai 2027, Gulfood 2027, GISEC Global 2027, Middle East Energy 2027Separate approval from DWTC, DXB LIVE rigging, 2,000 W lighting circuits
ADNEC Centre Abu DhabiAbu DhabiADIPEC 2026, World Future Energy Summit 2027, IDEX & NAVDEX 2027, Make it in the Emirates 2027, ADIHEX 2027, VIV MEA 2027Complex-structure approval over 4 m, venue-only rigging and power
Expo Centre SharjahAl Taawun, SharjahRegional trade and consumer showsRules set in each show's exhibitor manual

Common rules

Rules that apply at every major UAE venue

Whatever the show, these six points decide whether a stand is approved and switched on in time.

Approved drawings before you build

Stand designs are checked before build-up. DWTC and Dubai Exhibition Centre issue a Permit to Build (PTB) after review; at ADNEC, complex structures need ADNEC structural and health and safety approval.

Structural calculations

Required for raised platforms over 300 mm and for double-decker stands at DWTC and Expo City. At ADIS 2026 (ADNEC), calculations had to be signed and stamped by a UAE structural engineer.

Fire-rated materials

Materials must be non-combustible or flame-retardant. Fabrics and drapes are treated to NFPA 701; Dubai Exhibition Centre also accepts equivalents such as BS 476 Part 7 Class 1.

Rigging by the venue only

Hanging points are installed by the venue's official rigger. Stands may not be suspended from the roof structure, and DWTC and Expo City keep 1.5 m clear below the roof trusses.

Certified electrical work

Every stand needs an emergency isolation point. DWTC and Expo City set minimum breakers of 10 A for lighting and 16 A for power circuits, and no work on live systems.

Safety on site

Hard hats, high-visibility vests and safety shoes during build-up. Harnesses for work above 2 m, and only access ladders or towers approved by the venue.

Dubai · Sheikh Zayed Road

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)

Shows here in 2026–27: Gulfood Manufacturing 2026, Big 5 Global 2026, Intersec 2027, Gulf Print & Pack 2027, AEEDC Dubai 2027, WHX Dubai 2027….

  • Permit to Build (PTB) after the DWTC structural engineer reviews your drawings; build supervised by a qualified engineer.
  • DWTC Event Services is the sole provider of top and primary rigging. Stands cannot hang from the roof.
  • Concourse stands are limited to 4 m in height and double-deckers are not allowed there.
  • Double-deckers: at least two staircases sited apart, minimum 1 m wide, no spiral stairs, and no point more than 12 m from a staircase.
  • Every contractor displays a DWTC Contractor Badge and proof of organiser approval.
Exhibition stand at Dubai World Trade Centre

Dubai South · Expo City

Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai

Shows here in 2026–27: GITEX Global 2026, WHX Dubai 2027, Gulfood 2027, GISEC Global 2027, Middle East Energy 2027.

  • Stand designs are uploaded through the organiser's portal; a Permit to Build is required before building on site.
  • DXB LIVE is the sole provider of top and primary rigging; catenary wires only by the venue or its nominated contractors.
  • Lighting circuits are capped at 2,000 W each under DEWA rules, with RCBO protection and cable ramps instead of cables under carpet.
  • Contractors obtain a pass through the ContractorPlus portal to enter the venue.
  • A DWTC-approved design is not automatically approved here: the stand is reviewed again for this venue.
Exhibition stand with visitors at a Dubai show

Abu Dhabi · Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street

ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi

Shows here in 2026–27: ADIPEC 2026, World Future Energy Summit 2027, IDEX & NAVDEX 2027, Make it in the Emirates 2027, ADIHEX 2027, VIV MEA 2027.

  • Ceiling height in Halls 1–11 is 9.5 m to the beam or truss (ADIS 2026 manual).
  • Structures over 4 m, multi-level stands, raised platforms over 600 mm and suspended items need ADNEC structural and safety approval.
  • Rigging and mains electrical installation are carried out only by the official venue contractor, with an Electrical Completion Certificate before connection.
  • Hot work such as welding is not allowed inside the venue; stand ceilings must keep more than half of the stand open.
  • Perspex is not accepted for stand construction at that show; Lexan is.
Country pavilion exhibition stand in Abu Dhabi

Expo Centre Sharjah and other venues

Sharjah and smaller venues publish their rules show by show in the exhibitor manual. The same principles apply: approved drawings, fire-rated materials and certified electrical work. We build shell scheme booths, modular and custom stands at Sharjah and across the UAE.

Timeline

Typical deadlines before build-up

Dates are set per show. This is the usual order, with a real example from ADNEC.

  1. At booking

    Exhibitor manual

    Organisers publish the manual with every deadline for your show. Send it to us the day you receive it.

  2. About 3–4 weeks before build-up

    Stand plans and calculations

    Example: ADIS 2026 at ADNEC asked for stand plans on 15 April for a 9 May build-up, with design review fees per submission.

  3. About 2–3 weeks before

    Rigging, power and loading

    Rigging and electrical order forms close weeks ahead. DWTC and Expo City need loading pre-notification at least 2 weeks before tenancy.

  4. Build-up days

    Permit, badges and inspection

    Contractor passes, Permit to Build on site, then electrical inspection before the stand is switched on.

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FAQs

Venue rules: frequently asked questions

Do I need approval before building a space-only stand in Dubai?

Yes. At Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre a stand needs a Permit to Build before work starts on site, and stand drawings are reviewed by the venue's structural engineer. At ADNEC, structures over 4 m, multi-level stands and suspended items are treated as complex structures that need ADNEC structural and health and safety approval. We prepare and submit the drawings for you.

Can my stand hang banners from the hall ceiling?

Yes, but only through the venue's official rigging provider. Exhibitors and stand contractors cannot rig from the roof themselves, and stands cannot be suspended from the roof structure. Rigging is ordered in advance through the organiser's order forms.

Which shows are at Expo City Dubai instead of DWTC?

For the 2026–27 season, GITEX Global 2026, GISEC Global 2027 and Middle East Energy 2027 are at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City, and WHX Dubai 2027 and Gulfood 2027 use both DWTC and Expo City. Check the current list on our upcoming exhibitions page.

Do the same stand rules apply at every UAE venue?

The principles are the same: approved drawings, fire-rated materials, venue-only rigging and certified electrical work. The details differ by venue and by show, such as height limits, deadlines and fees. The exhibitor manual for your show is always the final word.

How early should I send my exhibitor manual to a stand builder?

As soon as you receive it. Six to eight weeks before build-up is comfortable for most stands. Stand plans are usually due several weeks before build-up, and rigging, power and loading requests have their own deadlines.

Do you build stands at Sharjah and other UAE venues too?

Yes. We build shell scheme, modular and custom stands at Expo Centre Sharjah and other venues across the UAE. Send us the show name and stand number for a free 3D design and quote.

Sources

Summarised from the venues' and organisers' published rules. Rules change by edition and by show; the exhibitor manual for your show is final.

  • DWTC Health and Safety Rules and Regulations (June 2024)
  • Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai: Health and Safety Rules and Regulations (October 2025)
  • ADIS 2026 Exhibition Manual (show held at ADNEC, Abu Dhabi)

Explore more

Stands we build at these venues

From the blog

Further reading from our blog

Guides written by the team that builds the stands.

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