GITEX Global 2025 runs 13–17 Oct at Dubai World Trade Centre, while Expand North Star (the startup show) runs 12–15 Oct at Dubai Harbour. You’ll find 40+ halls across two venues, covering AI, chips, cybersecurity, data centers, 5G, health tech, fintech, and more. Visitor passes start free; paid options unlock conference access and lounges.
GITEX Global Dubai When and where
GITEX Global happens inside DWTC’s main complex. Expand North Star is at Dubai Harbour (a separate waterfront venue). If you’re doing both, plan commute time and cluster meetings by venue day. Typical show timings run roughly 10am–5pm; confirm your day’s agenda the night before in the app.
Table of Contents
What’s new in GITEX Global 2025
This year expands to 40+ halls across two mega venues and bundles the broader “GITEX Universe” under one festival week—AI Everything, GITEX Impact (sustainability), Global DevSlam (developers), Future Blockchain Summit, Fintech Surge, Future Urbanism, and Marketing Mania. Expect bigger stages for AI and semiconductors, more physical-AI demos, and deeper enterprise sessions.
Tickets & Registration
Pass types at a glance
Here’s the short version so you don’t get lost:
- Visitor Pass (from Free): Exhibition floors across DWTC and Dubai Harbour. Good if you want to walk booths, scout products, or meet informally.
- Delegate Pass (from 500): Adds main stage, conference tracks, paid workshops, lounges, and e-certificates. Buy this if you’re attending talks, booking meeting pods, or need quiet areas to work between sessions.
- Student Visitor (AED 50): For ages 16+ (with student ID). Access is limited to specific days/venues; check the student rules and go as a group with a faculty member.
- Certified Training (AED 4,000+): Two-day deep-dive training with workshops and full conference access. Suits professionals who need formal learning and proof of completion.
Tip: If talks/workshops are central to your goals, the Delegate/Training tiers often pay for themselves by day two assuming you pre-book meetings and sessions.
How to register for GITEX Event (step by step)
- Go to the official registration portal.
- Pick your pass (Visitor, Delegate, Student, Training).
- Create an account and complete your profile.
- Add company details and VAT info (if needed).
- Pay (for paid passes) and save the QR code.
- Download the mobile app and link your badge to manage meetings.
Who should buy what
- Founders & sales leads: Delegate (lounges + sessions) if you’re fundraising, pitching, or running back-to-back demos.
- Product/engineering managers: Delegate or Training if you need structured content and hands-on workshops.
- Students & first-timers: Visitor/Student to get a feel for the ecosystem.
- Press/analysts: Check media registration flows; plan two DWTC days + one Harbour day.
Agenda Highlights & Co-Located Shows
The big tracks
GITEX traditionally centers on AI, semiconductors, cybersecurity, data centers, 5G, and industry AI. Expect “AI for Developers,” “AI Semicon,” and “Physical AI” modules to be crowded. Health tech and climate/impact sessions also draw decision-makers.
Expand North Star (startups + investors)
At Dubai Harbour, Expand North Star concentrates the startup universe: pitch stages, investor lounges, and curated matchmaking. If you’re a startup, schedule all investor meetings at Harbour and keep DWTC for partner/exhibitor discussions to avoid zig-zagging across the city.
Other shows you’ll see during the week
- Future Blockchain Summit (Web3, tokenization, infra)
- Fintech Surge (payments, banking, compliance)
- Global DevSlam (developer ecosystem)
- AI Everything (broad AI showcase)
- GITEX Impact (sustainability + green tech)
- Future Urbanism (smart cities, mobility)
- Marketing Mania (MarTech, creator economy)
Exhibitors & Networking
Find, filter, book
Use the Exhibitor Directory to shortlist targets by country, segment, and hall. Book meetings directly from the app or email BD teams ahead of time with your 3-line agenda (problem statement, what you want to see, next step). Thirty focused meetings over three days beats 300 booth walk-bys.
Where deals actually happen
- Booth demo pods (10–15 minutes): quick discovery.
- Meeting suites / lounges: pricing, roadmaps, NDAs.
- After-hours: many teams host private demos/dinners near DWTC or at Dubai Marina—bring extra business cards and a simple one-pager.
Plan Your Visit (DWTC & Dubai Harbour)
Getting around
- Metro (DWTC): Red Line “World Trade Centre” station lands you at the venue.
- Taxi/Rideshare: Peak hours get busy around Sheikh Zayed Road and Marina; buffer 30–45 minutes.
- Harbour shuttles: Often available between venues—check the event app.
- Walking inside DWTC: Some hall-to-hall walks take 10–15 minutes. Wear comfortable shoes and plan for security checks.
Where to stay
- DWTC area: Fastest to halls; business hotels first to sell out.
- Downtown/DIFC: 5–15 minutes by car; good for meetings.
- Dubai Marina/JBR: Ideal if you’ll spend a day at Harbour; expect traffic at peak times.
If you want show-partner rates, book within the official travel window and compare with public OTA deals.
Time-saving tips
- Badge pickup: Do it early (day-minus-1 or morning-1).
- Lines: Hit must-see booths before lunch; crowds spike after 11:30am.
- Food & breaks: Book a timeslot near your next hall; queues can be long.
- Bag policy: Travel light (laptop, charger, 1-pager). Security is thorough and halls are crowded.
GITEX Global Dubai AGENDA 2025
Oct 12, 2025 – Expand North Star (Dubai Harbour)
| Time | Stage / Hall | Session / Format | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00–12:05 | Spotlight Stage, Hall 2 | MC Remarks | Dubai Harbour |
| 12:05–12:30 | Spotlight Stage, Hall 2 | Chile Spotlight: Global Solutions for Key Industries | Dubai Harbour |
Oct 13, 2025 – GITEX Global (DWTC)
| Time | Stage / Hall | Session / Format | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:55–11:00 | Main Stage, Hall 25 | MC Remarks | DWTC |
| 13:50–14:05 | Main Stage, Hall 25 | Quantum sovereignty: The new frontier in economic power? | DWTC |
| 17:15–17:30 | Main Stage, Hall 25 | AI, Defence & Cybersecurity – The Intelligence Equation | DWTC |
Oct 14, 2025 – GITEX Global (DWTC) + Expand North Star (Dubai Harbour)
GITEX Global (DWTC)
| Time | Stage / Hall | Session / Format | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15:05–15:25 | AI Stage, Hall 10 | Case Study: Pervasive adoption of AI at Sanofi | DWTC |
| 14:45–15:45 | Workshop, Hall 26 | Ingesting, Transforming, Delivering Data in Snowflake | DWTC |
Expand North Star (Dubai Harbour)
| Time | Stage / Hall | Session / Format | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14:30–15:00 | 10X Main Stage, Hall 8 | Report Launch: Dubai Startup Guide 2025 | Dubai Harbour |
| 15:00–15:10 | 10X Main Stage, Hall 8 | Keynote by Limitless Innovation | Dubai Harbour |
| 15:10–15:30 | 10X Main Stage, Hall 8 | Industry Keynote: Retailtainment in the Attention Economy | Dubai Harbour |
Oct 15, 2025 – GITEX Global (DWTC)
Power Summit, Main Stage
| Time | Stage / Hall | Session / Format |
|---|---|---|
| 12:40–13:00 | Hall 25 | AI, Data, and DNA: TechBio’s Disruption of Drug Discovery |
| 13:00–13:20 | Hall 25 | Quantum Drug Discovery: From Decades and Billions to Months and Millions |
| 13:20–13:40 | Hall 25 | Genomics Beyond Humans: Unlocking Evolution’s Drug Library |
Workshops, Hall 26
| Time | Session / Format |
|---|---|
| 11:00–12:00 | Running LLM workloads on Kubernetes |
| 12:15–13:15 | The Service Mesh Wars: A New Hope for Kubernetes |
| 13:30–14:30 | From Chaos to Clarity: Intelligent Graphs → Business Strategy |
| 14:45–15:45 | Ingesting, Transforming, and Delivering Data in Snowflake |
Oct 16, 2025 – GITEX Global (DWTC)
| Time | Stage / Hall | Session / Format |
|---|---|---|
| 10:55–11:00 | Main Stage, Hall 25 | MC Remarks |
| 13:20–13:40 | Main Stage, Hall 25 | Quantum Pressure: Getting Cryptography Transition-Ready by 2026 |
| 15:20–16:00 | Main Stage, Hall 25 | Geopolitics & Critical Infrastructure |
Oct 17, 2025 – GITEX Global (DWTC)
AI Everything, Hall 10
| Time | Session / Format |
|---|---|
| 13:30–14:15 | Panel: Quantum & Wireless Information Research Driving Space Industry |
| 14:20–15:20 | Pitch Final: IEEE Region 8 Pitch Competition Finals |
Workshops, Hall 26
| Time | Session / Format |
|---|---|
| 12:15–13:15 | Compose Your Agent: Building AI-Powered Apps with Docker |
Quick tips
- Split DWTC and Dubai Harbour on separate days to avoid mid-day travel.
- Use the official agenda tool to generate your personal schedule and to catch last-minute updates.
Use-Case Playbooks (mini case studies)
Startup: 20 investor touches → 5 term-sheet conversations
Day 1–2 at Harbour: 8 investor intros + 4 follow-ups; Day 3 at DWTC: 6 partner meetings to cover integration and pilots. Prep a 7-slide deck, a 60-second live demo, and a 90-second “failed attempt → fixed outcome” story. Ask for clear next steps (pilot scope, due diligence list, timeline).
CIO: Building an AI vendor shortlist in 48 hours
Pre-show: write a one-page RFP sketch (use cases, data sensitivity, success metrics).
Day 1 DWTC: 10 vendor demos, focus on deployment models and TCO.
Day 2 DWTC: 5 deep-dives with security & procurement.
Post-show: 3-vendor bake-off in two weeks using your real data.
Vendor: Product launch with repeatable pipeline
Pre-show: embargoed press briefings + customer proof point.
On-site: three 12-minute live demos per hour, each with a single CTA (trial, pilot, PO).
Post-show: 24-hour follow-ups with a “demo recording + 2-page ROI explainer.”
Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
- Over-booking across venues: Split DWTC days and Harbour days.
- Vague meeting asks: Always propose a next action in writing.
- Skipping lounges (Delegate): You’ll need quiet tables to convert interest into pipeline.
- No post-show workflow: Build a 7-day email/call cadence before you fly.
Comparison Table – Passes (features & typical pricing)
| Pass | Access | Best for | Indicative price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor | Exhibition floors at DWTC & Harbour; free sessions at Harbour | First-timers, casual scouting | From Free |
| Delegate | Main stage, all conference tracks, lounges, workshops, e-cert | Founders, buyers, media/analysts | From 500 |
| Student (Visitor) | Venue/day-limited access; student ID required | Students 16+ with faculty | AED 50 |
| Certified Training | Two-day training + all conference tracks | Upskilling with certificates | AED 4,000+ |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is GITEX Global free?
Visitor passes can be free (tiers vary). Paid passes add conferences, lounges, and trainings.
What’s the difference between GITEX Global and Expand North Star?
GITEX = the main multi-industry tech exhibition (DWTC). Expand North Star = the startup + investor show (Dubai Harbour).
Which days are best?
Mid-week for business meetings; last day for deals clean-up and quick booth walk-throughs.
Can I do both venues in one day?
You can, but it’s tiring. Prioritize by meetings and keep buffer time for traffic.
How early should I book hotels?
Six–eight weeks out is safe for DWTC-area properties; Harbour and Marina fill fast too.
Do I need a delegate pass?
If you’re serious about talks, workshops, and quiet networking spaces, yes.
The Bottom Line and Checklist
One week, two venues, 40+ halls. Book your pass early, split DWTC/Harbour days, pre-book meetings, and use lounges if you’re deal-hunting. Keep your calendar tight, your shoes comfortable, and your follow-ups faster than everyone else’s.
Printable Checklist
- Choose DWTC vs Harbour days and lock meetings
- Pick pass type (Visitor/Delegate/Student/Training)
- Book flights + hotel near your main venue
- Install app; link badge; star sessions
- Shortlist exhibitors; write 3-line meeting brief
- Pack light; carry battery, cards, one-pager
- Daily: 3 must-see talks, 10 focused meetings
- Post-show: 7-day follow-up sequence ready to go
Featured Snippet Boxes
When is GITEX Global 2025?
GITEX Global 2025 runs 13–17 October at Dubai World Trade Centre. The Expand North Star startup show runs 12–15 October at Dubai Harbour. Plan venue-specific days to avoid commuting mid-day and recheck timings in the official app a day before you go.
How much are GITEX tickets?
Visitor passes can start Free, with paid upgrades. Delegate passes start around 500 (incl. VAT) for conference/lounges; Student passes are AED 50 (rules apply); Certified Training starts at AED 4,000 for two days of training.
What’s new at GITEX 2025?
Expect 40+ halls across DWTC and Dubai Harbour, deeper AI/semiconductor tracks, and a bigger startup-investor program at Expand North Star, alongside co-located shows like AI Everything, Fintech Surge, Future Blockchain Summit, Global DevSlam, and more.
Is GITEX Global worth it for startups?
Yes if you pre-book investor meetings, pitch on stage, and spend a full day at Dubai Harbour. Add one DWTC day to meet integrators and enterprise buyers. Aim for 15–25 targeted conversations, not random booth hops.
Source: GITEX GLOBAL
