FESPA Middle East announces new April 2027 dates at the Dubai World
Trade Centre
The fourth edition of FESPA Middle East, the region’s leading speciality printing
and signage event, will take place from 27-29 April 2027
The highly successful 2026 edition attracted 3,593 visits from professionals
representing 72 countries and featured more than 150 global brands
Education will remain a cornerstone of FESPA Middle East 2027, with a range of
sessions led by international experts, creating one of the most comprehensive
learning programmes available to the regional industry
Dubai, UAE | 9 July 2026: FESPA Middle East has announced that its 2027 edition will
take place from 27–29 April 2027 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), marking a
significant new chapter for the region’s leading exhibition dedicated to speciality print,
signage, visual communication and textile decoration.
The announcement follows extensive consultation with industry stakeholders across the
Middle East and North Africa, with the timing reflecting an understanding of current
market conditions and the wider regional business landscape, to provide the specialist
print and visual communications community with the opportunity to reunite, reconnect
with suppliers, distributors and buyers, and explore the technologies, ideas and
strategies shaping the future of the industry.
Bazil Cassim, Regional Manager, Middle East & Africa, FESPA, said: “The decision
to host FESPA Middle East 2027 in April at the Dubai World Trade Centre was made in
close consultation with industry leaders, exhibitors and partners across the region. The
response was clear: the industry is focused on the future and wants a platform that
supports business growth, knowledge sharing and meaningful commercial engagement.
“Dubai World Trade Centre provides the ideal location for our event, and the new dates
allow us to create the strongest possible environment for exhibitors and visitors to
reconnect, discover new opportunities and accelerate growth. We see this as a positive
step for the entire speciality printing and signage sector and an important investment in
the region’s future.”
The announcement follows a successful 2026 edition, which attracted 3,593 visitors
representing 72 countries and featured more than 150 global brands. The event
welcomed senior decision-makers from across the GCC, wider MENA region and
international markets, reinforcing its position as a vital bridge between global innovators
and one of the world’s fastest-growing print markets. The event also delivered 31
educational sessions led by 21 international experts, creating one of the most
comprehensive learning programmes available to the industry.
Education will remain a cornerstone of FESPA Middle East 2027. Building on the
success of previous editions, visitors will gain access to expert-led conference sessions,
market intelligence, practical business insights and real-world case studies designed to
help print and signage businesses improve profitability, embrace innovation and future-
proof their operations.
Topics explored at the 2026 conference included leadership, sustainability, automation,
artificial intelligence, workflow optimisation and business transformation, with strong
engagement from attendees seeking strategic guidance alongside technology
investment opportunities. The event website provides further information on the 2026
conference programme, along with recordings and highlights from selected sessions,
offering an opportunity to catch up on key insights and discussions from the event.
These themes will continue to play a central role in the development of the 2027
educational programme.
FESPA’s commitment to industry education is further strengthened through its ongoing
global research initiatives, including the FESPA Print Census 2026. The latest findings
highlight several important trends shaping the sector’s future.
The Sustainability Report found that while many businesses recognise the importance
of sustainability, significantly fewer have translated those ambitions into measurable
outcomes or clear customer communication strategies.
The Automation Report revealed that automation is increasingly viewed as essential for
protecting margins, improving speed and ensuring operational consistency. However,
many smaller businesses continue to delay implementation due to budget and resource
constraints.
Meanwhile, the Artificial Intelligence Report showed growing interest in AI technologies
across the industry, but also highlighted that many businesses remain uncertain about
where to begin, creating demand for practical, low-risk approaches to implementation.
These findings reinforce the growing need for industry platforms that combine
technology, education and strategic insight, a role that FESPA Middle East continues to
fulfil through the exhibition, conference sessions, and year-round knowledge-sharing
initiatives.
With 76% of visitors attending from the GCC region and a further 24% travelling from
international markets, FESPA Middle East has established itself as one of the most
globally connected events serving the regional print industry. The exhibition provides a
unique opportunity for visitors to engage with suppliers, discover emerging
technologies, learn from industry experts and build relationships that drive long-term
business growth.
“FESPA is unique because we are a not-for-profit organisation that exists to support the
global speciality print community. Every event, every educational programme and every
research initiative is designed to help printers, sign-makers and visual communication
specialists build stronger, more sustainable and more profitable businesses,” concluded
Cassim.
“In the Middle East and North Africa, there is a tremendous appetite for knowledge,
innovation and collaboration. FESPA Middle East 2027 will bring together world-class
experts, industry leaders and technology innovators to create an environment where
businesses can learn, connect and prepare for the future. As the industry continues to
evolve, our role is to ensure the community has access to the latest technology and the
insight and expertise needed to thrive.”
Industry professionals can now register their interest in visiting or exhibiting via the
official show website www.fespamiddleeast.com.
About FESPA
Founded in 1962, FESPA is a global federation of Associations for the screen printing, digital printing
and textile printing community. FESPA’s dual aim is to promote screen printing and digital imaging
and to share knowledge about screen and digital printing with its members worldwide, helping them
grow their businesses and learn about the latest developments in their fast-growing industries.
FESPA Profit for Purpose
Profit for Purpose is FESPA’s international reinvestment programme, which uses revenue from
FESPA events to support the global speciality print community in achieving sustainable and
profitable growth through four key pillars: education, inspiration, expansion, and connection. The
programme delivers high-quality products and services for printers worldwide, including market
research, seminars, summits, congresses, educational guides and features, and supports grassroots
projects in developing markets. For more information, visit www.fespa.com/en/about/profit-for-
purpose.
FESPA Foundation
The FESPA Foundation, guided by its slogan “Print For Good,” is our global initiative dedicated to
transforming the speciality print and visual communications industry through sustainable practices,
community support, and educational outreach. The Foundation aims to positively impact lives in
underserved communities by providing printed materials for early child development, as well as
individuals in the wider community. For more information, visit
https://www.fespa.com/en/about/fespa-foundation/
Forthcoming FESPA events include:
FESPA Africa 2026, 8-10 September, Gallagher Convention Centre, South Africa
FESPA Mexico 2026, 10-12 September 2026, Centro Citibanamex, Mexico City
FESPA Brazil 2027, 1-4 March, Expo Center Norte, São Paulo, Brazil
FESPA Global Print Expo 2027, 6-9 April, Munich, Germany
European Sign Expo 2027, 6-9 April, Munich, Germany
Personalisation Experience 2027, 6-9 April, Munich, Germany
Textile 2027, 6-9 April, Munich, Germany
WrapFest 2027, 6-9 April, Munich, Germany
