26. INDEX 2026: The Meeting Hub for MENA’s Interiors Industry

Established in 1987, INDEX has served as the Middle East and North Africa’s premier platform for the interior design and fit-out industry for nearly four decades. The 2026 edition, scheduled for June 2-4, 2026, at Dubai World Trade Centre, continues this established tradition as the essential marketplace connecting international manufacturers with the region’s most influential buyers, including interior designers, architects, retailers, and hospitality developers across the rapidly developing MENA markets.

Exhibition Overview

INDEX 2026 will feature 500+ global exhibitors from 50 countries presenting comprehensive interior design products, materials, and solutions across furniture, lighting, surfaces, textiles, kitchen and bathroom fixtures, outdoor living, and home automation. The exhibition is expected to attract over 20,000 professional visitors, with 100+ industry speakers delivering content through INDEX Design Talks conference program. The fair operates as strictly B2B trade platform, ensuring exhibitors engage exclusively with qualified buyers, specifiers, and decision-makers rather than general consumers. Co-located with complementary events including The Hotel Show Dubai and Workspace, INDEX creates comprehensive ecosystem addressing residential, commercial, and hospitality interior sectors simultaneously.

Major Participants and Visitors

INDEX attracts prestigious international exhibitors alongside regional manufacturers, creating comprehensive marketplace spanning quality tiers and design aesthetics. Notable participants include Ligne Roset (French contemporary furniture), EuroArt (European decorative products), Presto (interior solutions), and hundreds of manufacturers from Europe, Asia, Middle East, and North America. The exhibitor profile balances established international brands seeking MENA market presence, European manufacturers presenting design-forward solutions, Asian producers offering competitive pricing, and regional manufacturers serving local markets with understanding of cultural preferences and climate requirements.

The visitor profile encompasses serious buyers from across the entire interiors landscape, including leading architecture and design firms such as Gensler, Omrania, AECOM, DWP, Chapman Taylor, and Killa Design; major hospitality groups including Four Seasons Hotels, Accor, Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), and The First Group Hospitality; prominent developers like DAMAC Properties, Sobha Realty, and Omniyat; retail chains including IKEA, Home Centre, Danube Home, Pan Home, and Al Futtaim; and contract and fit-out specialists such as Bond Interiors, Artizan, and KART Group. This concentrated buyer quality ensures exhibitors engage with decision-makers having substantial project pipelines and purchasing authority across residential, hospitality, commercial, and retail sectors.

Product Spectrum

INDEX presents comprehensive interior design categories addressing all project types and specifications:

Furniture: Residential furniture for living, dining, and bedroom spaces; office and workspace furniture systems; hospitality furniture for hotels, restaurants, and lounges; contract furniture for commercial projects; outdoor furniture and patio collections; custom and bespoke furniture capabilities.

Furnishing Fabrics: Upholstery textiles and performance fabrics; curtains and window treatments; decorative textiles; contract-grade fabrics meeting fire safety and durability requirements; innovative textile technologies and sustainable materials.

Outdoor Living: Outdoor furniture and dining sets; pergolas, gazebos, and shade structures; outdoor kitchens and BBQ equipment; fire features and heating; landscape lighting; poolside furniture; garden accessories and planters.

Design & Fit-Out: Interior fit-out services and contractors; joinery and millwork; wall paneling and ceiling systems; partition systems; decorative finishes; custom furniture manufacturing; turnkey interior solutions.

Lighting: Decorative lighting fixtures and chandeliers; architectural lighting systems; LED technologies and energy-efficient solutions; smart lighting and controls; outdoor and landscape lighting; hospitality and commercial lighting; luxury lighting brands.

Décor & Homeware: Decorative accessories and objects; artwork and wall décor; mirrors and frames; tabletop and entertaining accessories; vases and ceramics; rugs and carpets; cushions and soft furnishings; luxury home décor brands.

Kitchen & Bathroom: Kitchen cabinetry and storage systems; kitchen appliances and fixtures; bathroom sanitaryware and fixtures; bathroom furniture and vanities; faucets and fittings; tiles and surface materials; smart kitchen and bathroom technologies.

Surfaces & Flooring: Floor coverings including hardwood, tile, carpet, vinyl, and stone; wall surfaces and cladding; countertop materials; decorative panels; innovative surface technologies; sustainable and eco-friendly materials.

Home Automation: Smart home systems and integration; lighting controls and automation; security systems; climate control; audio-visual systems; energy management; building management systems for residential and commercial applications.

Architectural Hardware: Door hardware and accessories; window fittings; locks and security hardware; bathroom accessories; handrails and balustrades; specialty hardware for commercial projects; decorative hardware and finishes.

Modular Structures: Prefabricated building systems; modular construction solutions; temporary and permanent structures; innovative construction technologies; off-site manufacturing systems.

INDEX Design Talks

The INDEX Design Talks conference program, sponsored by industry leaders like Geberit, delivers comprehensive educational content addressing industry challenges, emerging trends, and professional development. The program features panel discussions on hospitality design trends and sustainability, workplace design evolution and wellness integration, residential luxury trends, material innovations, smart building technologies, and project management best practices. Keynote presentations by renowned designers, developers, and hospitality executives provide thought leadership, while intimate conversations enable detailed discussion of complex topics. The educational programming positions INDEX as knowledge platform beyond commercial marketplace, attracting serious industry professionals seeking continuing education alongside product sourcing.

Sustainability Focus: Green is the New Gold

INDEX 2026 emphasizes sustainability as core theme reflecting MENA’s increasing environmental consciousness, particularly in mega-projects like Red Sea Development establishing new standards for renewable energy, conservation, and green certifications. The exhibition showcases environmentally responsible interior solutions including sustainable materials and certified products, energy-efficient lighting and appliances, water-saving fixtures and systems, renewable and recycled materials, low-VOC finishes and healthy interiors, circular economy approaches to furniture lifecycle, and certifications including LEED, WELL, and regional standards. This sustainability focus aligns with MENA developers’ requirements while positioning INDEX as forward-thinking platform addressing global environmental imperatives.

Why Visit INDEX 2026?

• MENA Market Gateway: Essential platform for accessing Middle East and North Africa’s thriving interior design markets and project pipelines.
• Mega-Project Access: Direct connection to decision-makers specifying for GCC’s USD 188B tourism developments and residential mega-projects.
• Qualified Buyer Concentration: 20,000+ architects, designers, developers, hospitality groups, and retailers with substantial purchasing authority.
• Comprehensive Product Coverage: 500+ exhibitors spanning complete interior categories from furniture through technology.
• Industry Leadership Engagement: Advisory board and speakers from Four Seasons, Accor, DAMAC, Sobha, Omniyat, and other major developers and operators.
• Educational Programming: 100+ speakers deliver insights on MENA market trends, sustainability, hospitality design, and project management.
• Dubai Convenience: Central location with exceptional air connectivity, business infrastructure, and cultural attractions.
• Co-Located Events: Simultaneous access to Hotel Show and Workspace expanding sourcing scope.

Conclusion

INDEX 2026 represents the essential platform for the MENA interior design industry, combining 38 years of established market position with contemporary relevance addressing the region’s unprecedented development momentum. The exhibition serves as commercial gateway connecting international manufacturers with architects, designers, developers, and hospitality groups specifying for GCC mega-projects, residential developments, and commercial expansions creating sustained interior product demand. For exhibitors, INDEX delivers concentrated access to MENA’s serious buyers, major project pipelines, regional distribution opportunities, and market intelligence informing strategic MENA expansion. For visitors, the exhibition provides comprehensive product discovery, direct manufacturer access, sustainability-focused innovations, and educational programming within Dubai’s convenient, business-friendly environment. Whether you’re establishing MENA market presence, sourcing hospitality mega-projects, developing regional distribution networks, or engaging with Middle East’s design community, June 2-4, 2026, at Dubai World Trade Centre delivers access to 500+ global exhibitors, 20,000+ qualified professionals, and the Middle East’s most established and comprehensive interior design exhibition.

For registration details and additional information, visit the official INDEX website: www.indexexhibition.com