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“ We brought together ecosystems from advanced and rising tech economies – bridging connections where innovation is created in one country, funded by another and scaled across borders,” she explains.
It was a strategy that led to GITEX’ s expansion into 13 cities and countries in just three years to become the largest global tech event brand.
“ Beyond scale, our focus has always been on delivering valuable outcomes for each country: drive momentum and impact on FDI, accelerate import / export trade ties and create value that contributes to the GDP of the countries we serve,” LohMirmand adds. DWTC’ s powerful network of collaborators has helped position it as one of the fastest growing international events organisers. No wonder LohMirmand has called GITEX a‘ geopolitical tool’ and‘ instrument of soft power’, pointing to AI becoming the new language of diplomacy and GITEX one of its most influential stages.
She adds that it is the unique convening power of GITEX that has also given emerging nations in various stages of their digital journeys a seat at the global table, enabling them to be part of co-creating strategies.
So how has GITEX North Star helped reshape the regional startup and investment landscape, especially in previously underdeveloped ecosystems?
“ When we launched the show in 2016, the region’ s venture capital and startup ecosystem was nascent. Today, North Star has grown into the world’ s largest startup event network, convening more than 8,300 startups and 4,000 global investors with over $ 1 trillion assets under management( AUM),” LohMirmand reveals.
The DWTC executive VP is clearly a champion, in the age of AI, of integrating underrepresented ecosystems, something she is adamant is“ vital for startups to thrive, scale and contribute meaningfully to the collective mission
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Dubai Expo City |
DWTC Stand at Ru ' ya
of advancing technologies that shape future industries”.
Indeed, GITEX now spans continents – from Berlin to Singapore to Lagos.
LohMirmand explains that their market selection is shaped foremost by the governments, talent, national strategies and tech ambitions of each host country.“ We expand where governments prioritise technology as a pillar of growth, and where our platforms can act as accelerators of those agendas.”
It is a strategy that has enabled DWTC to give local startups, investors, and industries access to a much larger global network.
LohMirmand is confident the relocation of GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star to Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City will unlock new opportunities for exhibitors, attendees, and Dubai’ s tech agenda.
“ For exhibitors and attendees, the move unlocks unprecedented scale and synergy; and marks the transition to a new tech decade of collaborations.”
The scale is clear: Dubai Exhibition Center( DEC) – Expo City Dubai, offers a gigantic 2.2 million sq. ft of purpose-built exhibition space, and
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“ We brought together ecosystems from advanced and rising tech economies – bridging connections where innovation is created in one country, funded by another and scaled across borders” |
is strategically located beside the US $ 35bn Al Maktoum International Airport – the world’ s largest airport project. It is also just a matter of minutes from Dubai’ s vibrant tourism hubs. DEC marks the rise of a mega new city hub under the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and it plays a big part in advancing Dubai’ s D33 agenda – expanding capacity for future-critical sectors, catalysing AI, R & D and high-value investment, and strengthening the city’ s role as a global convening capital.
GITEX 2026 will run a little later in the year than usual, in December( Summit on 7 December; Expo 8 – 11 December), during Dubai’ s peak tourism season.
Think big in Dubai So, what single piece of advice would LohMirmand give organisers or exhibitors considering Dubai and the region for the first time?
“ Lead with ambition. Dubai is a city that thrives on openness of ideas and rewards those who think big. With world-class infrastructure, a pro-business regulatory environment, and unparalleled global connectivity, it is designed to help organisers and exhibitors succeed,” she says.
Dubai is, of course, a gateway to fast-growing markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia and, says LohMirmand:“ If you want to test, scale, and grow, no other city gives you the momentum that Dubai does.” LohMirmand is not complacent, however, and warns of the need to stay resilient and future-proofing at a time when technologies, economies and even geopolitical scenarios are shifting faster than ever.
“ The winds of change are constant, and they don’ t always move in the same direction,” she says.“ The key is to learn to adapt early, to sense those shifts before they fully unfold, and remain agile and relevant. At DWTC, I constantly remind us we don’ t build to remain. We build to rise.” EW
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www. exhibitionworld. co. uk |
Issue 5 2025 19 |