Major Changes Coming to Gulfood and Arab Health in 2026
Two of the region’s biggest international trade shows are set to evolve significantly in 2026, with both Gulfood and Arab Health (soon to be WHX Dubai) announcing major format and venue changes. Here’s what exhibitors and visitors need to know.
What’s Changing?
Gulfood 2026: Dual-Venue Expansion
From 26–30 January 2026, Gulfood will take place across two venues for the first time in its history:
This moves from its usual annual timing of mid-february due to Ramadan taking place in February in 2026
Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) will continue to host core categories including dairy, meat, beverages, and well-known global brands
Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City (DEC) will introduce new verticals including logistics, AI, food tech, startup showcases, and sustainable innovation
This expansion comes in response to increased exhibitor demand and a drive to support new sectors across the food and beverage supply chain.
For more information visit the official Gulfood website here
Arab Health Becomes WHX Dubai
From 2026, Arab Health will rebrand as WHX Dubai and relocate to Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City. Instead of January, the show will shift to a February edition instead.
New Dates: 9–12 February 2026
New Name: WHX Dubai (World Health Expo)
New Location: Expo City Dubai
The rebrand is part of a broader alignment with the WHX global series of healthcare expos and reflects a modernisation of the event’s branding, infrastructure, and scope.
For more information visit the official WHX Dubai website here
Benefits of the Changes
Gulfood
Key Benefits
Space for sector-specific growth
Dedicated focus areas
Better segmentation and navigation for visitors
WHX Dubai
Key Benefits
Modern venue with improved infrastructure
Enhanced capacity and layout
Stronger global brand alignment
Both events will now benefit from the state-of-the-art facilities at Expo City, offering more space, better visitor flow, and enhanced connectivity between sectors.
Potential Drawbacks
Dual venues at Gulfood may split footfall and increase planning complexity
Exhibitors and visitors will need to adjust logistics (transport, hotels, scheduling)
Rebranding Arab Health may create short-term confusion during the transition
Additional costs may be incurred for multisite activations at Gulfood
It will be essential for exhibitors to prepare early, communicate any venue-specific plans with their buyers, and consider stand positioning and marketing strategy based on the new layout.
Our Take on the Changes
At Bolst Global, we see these changes as a positive step forward in the evolution of two of the Middle East’s most important trade shows.
While the split-site model for Gulfood may create added logistical challenges, it also presents a valuable opportunity to reach more targeted audiences, especially in emerging areas like smart food tech and logistics. For exhibitors with innovative or niche offerings, the new setup could offer more focused engagement.
As for WHX Dubai, the move to Expo City and integration into a global healthcare event network reflects the UAE’s continued investment in healthcare and medical innovation. The refreshed format should provide a stronger platform for international collaboration and industry leadership.
For our clients and network, the key will be early planning, from stand design and staffing to booking accommodation and organising meetings across venues. We’ll continue to support our partners through this transition and ensure you’re positioned for success in 2026.
If you would like to find out more about these trade shows for 2026 and how Bolst Global can support you with our presence at these shows then do get in touch!