What INDEX does

INDEX is a trade exhibition brand focused on interior design, furnishing, and fit-out products, owned and operated by dmg events, a global events management company. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Dubai, UAE, INDEX is the MENA region's longest-running interior design trade exhibition, connecting 500+ global exhibiting brands from 40+ countries with 33,000+ trade visitors including interior designers, architects, hospitality operators, property developers, and fit-out contractors. The event is co-located with The Hotel Show Dubai and WORKSPACE, creating a multi-vertical ecosystem covering interior design, hospitality procurement, and workplace design at a single venue.

INDEX's core offering is the annual flagship exhibition, supplemented by INDEX Design Talks (a conference program featuring 100+ industry speakers), the Beyond These Spaces podcast, and sister events in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The event does not operate a proprietary technology platform; its value proposition is the density and curation of in-person commercial matchmaking it provides. INDEX generates revenue primarily through exhibition stand bookings (transaction fees paid by manufacturers and suppliers), sponsorship and brand activation packages, and ancillary content partnerships. Exhibitor pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, while trade visitor attendance is free with online pre-registration required.

The business model is event-driven, with dmg events managing all aspects of venue relations, sales, marketing, and operations across 115+ events in 25 countries. INDEX serves as a flagship within dmg events' Design & Hospitality portfolio, with the 2026 edition postponed to 28-30 September 2026 at Dubai Exhibition Centre (Expo City Dubai) and the 2027 edition scheduled for 1-3 June 2027 at Dubai World Trade Centre. The exhibition functions as a two-sided marketplace, monetizing exhibitor demand for MENA market access while subsidizing free buyer attendance to maximize footfall and exhibitor ROI.

Name

INDEX

Legal name

INDEX (exhibition brand owned and operated by dmg events)

Website

https://www.indexexhibition.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

INDEX is a MENA-focused B2B trade exhibition organized by dmg events, connecting 500+ global interior design and furnishing brands with 33,000+ trade visitors across designers, architects, hotel developers, and retailers in Dubai.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Exhibition Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Industry-Specific B2B Trade Show Organizers (THAHABAB)

Keywords

• Trade exhibition services
• Interior design events
• Fit-out trade shows
• Exhibition stand booking
• B2B trade fairs

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Exhibition Stand Bookings: INDEX generates revenue primarily through renting exhibition stand space to manufacturers, suppliers, and brands seeking to showcase interior design, furniture, and fit-out products to MENA buyers. Exhibitors pay for stand space, sponsorship packages, and branded activations within the show.
2. Sponsorship & Brand Activations: Branded sponsorship of the event, INDEX Design Talks sessions, conference programmes, digital content, and co-located events (The Hotel Show, WORKSPACE) creates additional revenue streams from brand partners seeking visibility among trade audiences.
3. Visitor Registration & Content: Free attendance for trade visitors generates footfall for exhibitors. Content assets including the Beyond These Spaces podcast, Design Talks, and post-show reports create ancillary value for sponsors and media partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

INDEX is a B2B trade exhibition organizer that hosts an annual interior design and fit-out showcase at Dubai World Trade Centre, connecting global manufacturers and brands with MENA buyers, architects, designers, hospitality operators and property developers. Revenue is generated by renting exhibition stand space and selling sponsorship packages to exhibitors, while trade visitor attendance is free. The platform is operated by dmg events and co-located with The Hotel Show Dubai and WORKSPACE to form a multi-vertical design and hospitality trade event ecosystem.

Product overview

INDEX is a trade exhibition platform for the interior design and furniture industry in the MENA region. The core offering is the INDEX Dubai Exhibition, held at Dubai World Trade Centre (with postponed dates to 1-3 June 2027), which serves as the region's definitive interiors and fit-out showcase. The platform includes INDEX Design Talks (a thought leadership conference segment), the Beyond These Spaces podcast series, and co-located events including The Hotel Show Dubai and WORKSPACE. Regional editions include INDEX Saudi Arabia and INDEX Design Qatar. INDEX connects global brands with MENA buyers, architects, designers and retailers across 11 product sectors including furniture, lighting, kitchen & bathroom, and home automation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• INDEX Dubai Exhibition The MENA region's definitive interiors and fit-out trade showcase held at Dubai World Trade Centre, uniting global design, products and technology under one roof. Connects 500+ leading brands with influential buyers, architects, designers and retailers across 11 product sectors including furniture, lighting, kitchen & bathroom, surfaces, décor, home automation and architectural hardware. Operated by dmg events.
• INDEX Saudi Arabia A leading exhibition for local and international suppliers of interior design and fit-out products serving Saudi Arabia's interiors market. Held at Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center, it unites thousands of interior designers and connects suppliers with regional buyers as part of dmg events' global INDEX portfolio.
• INDEX Design Qatar An interiors and fit-out industry exhibition held at the Doha Exhibition & Convention Center, offering suppliers and manufacturers access to Qatar's interiors market as part of dmg events' INDEX portfolio.
• The Hotel Show Dubai The original and largest trade event for the hotel and hospitality sector in the Middle East, co-located with INDEX. Connects regional hotel buyers with global suppliers of FF&E and hospitality products across the MENA region.
• WORKSPACE Exhibition A trade exhibition co-located with INDEX where buyers from across the GCC source the latest in interiors, furniture, services and technologies for the workplace.

Quantifiable outcome

• 33,000+ visitors across INDEX, The Hotel Show and WORKSPACE co-located events
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• dmg eventscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINDEX is organised and operated by dmg events, a global leader in face-to-face events with 115+ events in 25 countries, welcoming 650,000+ attendees. dmg events manages all aspects of INDEX including venue relations, commercial sales, marketing, and event operations. INDEX is one of dmg events' flagship Design & Hospitality portfolio events.
• The Hotel Show DubaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Hotel Show Dubai is co-located with INDEX at the same venue (Dubai Exhibition Centre for 2026; Dubai World Trade Centre for 2027), creating a combined hospitality-focused trade event. Both events share audiences of hotel developers, operators, and procurement professionals.
• WORKSPACEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWORKSPACE is co-located with INDEX, serving as the workplace design complement to INDEX's broader interiors focus. Both events attract interior designers, specifiers and procurement professionals to the same venue.
• Design Middle EastminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDesign Middle East is listed as a Media Partner for INDEX, providing editorial coverage and promotional content to its audience of regional design professionals.
• Love That DesignminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLove That Design is a Media Partner for INDEX, providing editorial content and audience promotion for the exhibition.
• 101domusminorGTM or Marketing Partner101domus is a Media Partner for INDEX, contributing editorial and promotional support.
• CompassesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompasses is a Media Partner for INDEX, providing promotional coverage to its audience of architecture and design professionals.
• UAE Contractors AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUAE Contractors Association is listed as an Association Partner for INDEX, promoting the event to its member base of construction and fit-out contractors.
• Geberit International Sales AGminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGeberit is the INDEX Design Talks Sponsor for 2026, providing financial sponsorship for the conference programme in exchange for brand visibility among the design professional audience.
• ClayArkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerClayArk is listed as a Sponsor for INDEX 2026, supporting the event in exchange for brand exposure.
• INDEX Saudi ArabiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINDEX Saudi Arabia is a sister exhibition held at Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center (15-17 September 2026), targeting the Saudi $3.5 billion interiors market. Both are part of dmg events' global INDEX portfolio, sharing branding and cross-promoting audiences.
• INDEX Design QatarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINDEX Design Qatar (6-8 October 2026 at Doha Exhibition & Convention Center) is a sister event in dmg events' INDEX portfolio, serving Qatar's interiors market and cross-promoting with INDEX Dubai.
• Dubai World Trade CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is the venue for INDEX 2027 (1-3 June). DWTC provides the physical infrastructure and hosts major trade events, making it a key venue partner.
• Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), located within Expo City Dubai, serves as the venue for INDEX 2026 (28-30 September). It is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art venue for large-scale trade events.
• INDEX 2026 Advisory BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 2026 Advisory Board comprises 22 distinguished architects, interior designers, developers, procurement leaders and design innovators (including representatives from dwp, Four Seasons, Accor, IHG, AECOM, DAMAC Properties, and others) who shape the event's content, themes and strategic direction.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair): ICFF is North America's leading trade show for contemporary furniture, bringing together designers, manufacturers, and retailers. It mirrors INDEX's positioning as a curated B2B platform for premium interior design brands targeting professional buyers.
• Heimtextil: Heimtextil is the world's largest trade fair for home and contract textiles, held annually in Frankfurt. It is comparable to INDEX as a B2B interiors trade event covering one of INDEX's 11 product sectors (furnishing fabrics) with a similar global brand and buyer audience.
• Ambiente: Ambiente is one of the world's most important consumer goods trade fairs, held in Frankfurt, covering tableware, kitchen, and home décor. It overlaps with INDEX's kitchen & bathroom, décor & homeware, and lighting sectors as a B2B trade show connecting global brands with retail buyers.
• Salone del Mobile.Milano: Salone del Mobile is the world's premier furniture and design trade fair held annually in Milan. It is the global benchmark B2B interior design and furniture exhibition, sharing INDEX's model of connecting international brands with high-value trade buyers.
• Maison&Objet: Maison&Objet is the leading European trade show for interior design, decoration, and lifestyle, held biannually in Paris. It is directly comparable to INDEX as a curated B2B platform connecting global interior design brands with trade buyers across multiple product sectors.
• Decorex: Decorex is a long-running UK trade exhibition for interior design, held annually in London. It shares INDEX's positioning as a multi-sector B2B interiors trade show connecting international brands with designers, architects, and developers.
• High Point Market: High Point Market is the largest home furnishings industry trade show in North America, held biannually in High Point, North Carolina. It is directly comparable to INDEX as a B2B interior furnishings trade event targeting designers, retailers, and specifiers.
• IMM Cologne: IMM Cologne is a leading international furniture and interior design trade fair held annually in Cologne, Germany. It shares INDEX's format and audience of furniture manufacturers, retailers, and interior designers sourcing across product categories.

Regional players

• Cityscape Global: Cityscape Global is the largest real estate investment and development event in the MENA region, held annually in Dubai. It is comparable as a Dubai-based B2B trade show targeting property developers and investors who overlap with INDEX's developer and fit-out buyer segments.
• The Big 5: The Big 5 is the largest construction industry trade show in the Middle East, held annually in Dubai. It is comparable as a MENA-focused B2B trade exhibition targeting construction and fit-out professionals who overlap with INDEX's specifier and fit-out contractor audience.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/indexdubai
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@INDEXExhibition
• Facebookfacebook.com/INDEXDubai
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/indexdubai
• Instagraminstagram.com/indexdubai
• TikToktiktok.com/@indexexhibition

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about INDEX