EXPO Centre Sharjah is gearing up for a busy second half.

It had a phenomenal start to 2014, when the first show, SteelFab 2014, added 50 per cent more exhibition space to accommodate a 25 per cent rise in the number of exhibitors. The visitor turnout saw a significant surge of 25 per cent, an unprecedented rise in the 10-year history of SteelFab.

Impressive growth continued in the next event, the International Education Show, which recorded a 34 per cent rise in visitors, and in the other shows that followed. “Now, after the summer break, we are ready for the new season, when some of our flagship events will be held,” said Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah.

Expo Centre hosted 12 trade and consumer events in H1, attracting over 380,000 trade and general visitors.

The key events were SteelFab, International Education Show, National Career Exhibition, Perfect Wedding Show, Middle East Motor Tuning Show, Arabia Mold, Plastivision Arabia, Print Pack Arabia and MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show.

Visitors at the successful Print Pack Arabia show held earlier this year

“The new season will start with the biannual MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show, which broke all previous records in terms of total number of buyers and the percentage rise in visitor turnout for its spring show earlier this year. Most of the remaining shows too are major events for their respective industries and consumer base and are expected to perform well,” said Al Midfa.

The 37th MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show, October 14 to 18, features 450-plus exhibitors. Event patron is HH Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.  It occupies 20,000 sq m of space and has national pavilions of Hong Kong-China, Thailand, India, Italy, Malaysia and Singapore and attractive prizes in daily raffle draws.

The International Automobile Show runs November 26-29 with the coveted Middle East Motor Awards (MEMA) on November 27.

Other forthcoming events: Sharjah International Book Fair, Chinese Commodities Fair Sharjah, Halal Middle East and Kitchen Equipment Middle East.