• Strategically located in Dubai and featuring exhibitors from 40 countries, Paperworld Middle East is a lucrative destination to reach new markets
  • Paperworld Middle East is the largest international show for paper, stationery, arts and crafts, office supplies and school products while Gifts and Lifestyle Middle East offers a prime opportunity for businesses to discover a diverse range of gifting products
  • In keeping with the UAE’s ‘Year of Sustainability’, 80% of the products exhibited at Paperworld Middle East are sustainable

Dubai, UAE: The largest global sourcing platform for the paper, stationery, office supplies and art & craft industry, Paperworld Middle East and its co-located show Gifts and Lifestyle Middle East, will return to the Dubai World Trade Centre from 21-23 November 2023. Building on record attendance numbers in 2022, both events are larger than ever for 2023, growing 50% from last year and featuring more than 450 exhibitors from over 40 countries - the highest number of participating countries showcased at the event to date.

Paperworld Middle East is now in its 12th year and has become firmly established as the pinnacle international destination for distributors, retailers, wholesalers and franchise owners in the paper and stationery sector. Combined with Gifts and Lifestyle Middle East, last year’s edition of Paperworld Middle East welcomed over 9,000 visitors, with 42% of attendees travelling from international markets.

“Paperworld ME is the fastest-growing show of its kind in the world and this year we expect to welcome more than 10,000 industry professionals as they seek to take advantage of Dubai’s central strategic location,” said Syed Ali Akbar, Show Director for Paperworld Middle East and Gifts and Lifestyle Middle East.

He added: “The event showcases thousands of brands and caters to the wide-ranging needs of buyers. Perfectly timed during the prime buying cycle, Paperworld Middle East sets the ecosystem for the international paper trade in the region.”  

Now in its third edition, Gifts and Lifestyle Middle East focuses on corporate gifting and complements the profile of Paperworld Middle East with four product segments including: lifestyle, gift giving, leather finished goods and baby and kids. Exhibitors from 20 countries will be showcased at the event, providing ample opportunity for businesses to diversify their product offerings and stock their inventory for the season of giving and sharing ahead.   

According to MarketWatch, the corporate gift market in 2022 was valued at $261,408.0 million internationally and is forecast to reach $425,763.0 million by 2028. Looking more closely at the UAE, the online gifting market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.7% by 2028.

Commenting on the factors driving demand for corporate gifting, Akbar said: “Companies often use corporate gifting as a gesture to show their appreciation to employees. This can help to motivate and retain their workforce. It can also be an effective strategy for helping businesses to reach new customers. Interestingly, social media has also offered a new opportunity for corporate gifting as recipients are often keen to post online about the gifts they have received.”

The Paperworld Middle East Awards will take place for the first time ever this year, celebrating excellence and innovation in the stationery, office supplies and paper product industry. Outstanding products that deliver creativity, functionality and sustainability will be selected by an expert panel of judges, with winners announced at a special event during the three-day exhibition.

Fascinating discussions from renowned speakers and thought leaders will be on the agenda at The Hub Forum, where attendees can learn how E-commerce, digital and sustainable trends are shaping the future of the paper, stationery, office supply and gift sectors. In addition, key decision makers can take advantage of The Premium Club, an exclusive networking programme designed to foster meaningful connections and enhance the purchasing process.

Sustainability will be a common thread throughout Paperworld Middle East and a dedicated Project Sustainability zone will return this year displaying sustainable items from across the show. While promoting the importance of adopting eco-conscious practices, Project Sustainability also enables attendees to explore products that align with their sustainability strategies.  

More information is available at: www.paperworldme.com

About Paperworld Middle East

Paperworld Middle East brings together world-renowned brands, regional players, and promising innovators for an exciting three-day showcase featuring products ranging from office and school supplies to festive decorations and brandable merchandise. The next edition of the show takes place from 21 - 23 November 2023 at Dubai World Trade Centre, co-located with Gifts & Lifestyle Middle East.

To learn more please visit our website.

About Messe Frankfurt

The Messe Frankfurt Group is one of the world’s leading trade fair, congress and event organisers with their own exhibition grounds. With a workforce of some 2,160 people at its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and in 28 subsidiaries, it organises events around the world. Group sales in financial year 2022 were around €454 million. We serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of Messe Frankfurt’s key strengths is its powerful and closely knit global sales network, which covers around 180 countries in all regions of the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. We are using our digital expertise to develop new business models. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services. Sustainability is a central pillar of our corporate strategy. Here, we strike a healthy balance between ecological and economic interests, social responsibility and diversity.

For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com/sustainability
With its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).
Further information: www.messefrankfurt.com

About Messe Frankfurt Middle East

Messe Frankfurt Middle East’s portfolio of exhibitions includes: Automechanika Dubai, Automechanika Riyadh, Beautyworld Middle East, Beautyworld Saudi Arabia, Intersec, Intersec Saudi Arabia, Gifts & Lifestyle Middle East, Light + Intelligent Building Middle East and Paperworld Middle East. In the 2022/23 event season, Messe Frankfurt Middle East exhibitions combined featured 3,939 exhibitors from 66 countries and attracted 151,990 visitors from 116 countries.

For more information, please visit our website.

Catherine AlltoftT
catherine.alltoft@shamalcomms.com
Kate McGinley
kate.mcginley@uae.messefrankfurt.com
www.messefrankfurtme.com
​​​​​​​www.paperworldme.com