History and overview
Expo Centre Sharjah was established by an Italian American Mr. Frederick Pittera in 1977 – as a first exhibition venue in the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC). Initially, the centre was popular for festival style public shows which featured some retail exhibitors, Circus shows and concerts for a duration of three weeks each in winter months. Fred imported large marquis from the USA to provide for the exhibition space and a Circus tent with a seating capacity of 1200 in addition to an open air arena for various acrobatic performances. He sold his share to his local partners Sheikh Ahmed and Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi in 1988 and left the UAE. 1988-1991 Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi, the chairman of Al Batha, a conglomerate that owned Expo Centre Sharjah appointed a veteran exhibition manager Mr. Stefan Kemball to manage the exhibition ground at its now new location in Al Khan district Sharjah. By this time the popularity of public events started to recede as more and more shopping malls started to emerge in neighboring emirate of Dubai. Which provided air-conditioned shopping with free parking thus fast becoming the preferred evening out venues for the population. Stefan Kemball whose experience was all in managing trade events was less equipped to manage a public shows entity effectively. This resulted in regular losses and Sheikh Salem decided to sell the company to Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and industry as approved by H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan Al Qassimi, the Ruler of Sharjah. Expo Centre Sharjah was sold along with its granted land in Al Khan district to Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and industry (SCCI) in 1991 for a Lump sum amount with management and assets. 1991-2013 The Chairman of SCCI Mr. Hassan Abdullah Al NomanFacilities
The 6 spacious indoor multi-purpose exhibition halls cover a total footprint of 42,000 m2, with an additional 6,000 m2 parking. Smaller supporting venues are ideal for meetings, public seminars, celebration or launch events loading, unloading and setting up of all formats of stands and other assets is a breeze thanks to easy access routes from the 6 service gates, wide service areas as well as from the central boulevard. The centre also houses a children's play area, prayer rooms and an exclusive VIP area & majlis.Outdoors
*Outdoor Parking *Multi Storey Car Park *Tented rooftop *Landscaped architectural flow *Reserved VIP car parking facility *Dedicated zones for people of determination, trailer parking, bus parking and a taxi stand, ensuring ease of access for all *Scenic lagoon-facing locationMain Exhibition Area
*6 spacious halls with adequate capacity to handle events of a very large scale *Versatile design for maximum functionality and configuration flexibility *Total exhibition space can be opened up through interleading partitions *Multiple events using individual halls can be equally smoothly organized and simultaneously hosted *Advanced utilities ensuring hassle-free convenience and ample comfort – from data connectivity and energy supplies to air, water and drainage engineering *Dedicated registration/reception area *Dividable meeting/seminar/public address rooms, press lounge, traditional VIP area *In-built Digital display screens spread out across the central boulevard *Advance People counting system to smoothly channel and monitor visitor traffic *Aesthetically appealing interiors combine warm wood with stylish polished steel *Loading, unloading and setting up of all formats of stands and other assets is an easy access routes from the service area as well as from the central boulevardNotable exhibitions
*Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) *Sharjah International Book Fair… Passion for Knowledge Driving Development (eyeofriyadh.com) *Sharjah Children's Reading Festival *International Government Communication Forum *Sharjah Seen Awards *Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) *Xposure (International Photography FestivaCorporate social responsibility
In April 2020, in efforts to counter theReferences
External links
* {{Authority control Buildings and structures in Sharjah (city) Convention centers in the United Arab Emirates Trade fair venues