Dubai, UAE – November 10, 2026 – Global Educational Supplies and Solutions (GESS) Dubai 2026, officially opened today at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Saeed Halls, running through 12 November, inaugurated by Her Excellency Aisha Miran, Director General of Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), whose tour of the show floor marked the start of this year’s exhibition. She was joined by Her Excellency Aisha Sultan Majid Al Shamsi, Executive Director of the Ajman Private Education Affairs (APEA) Office.
Billed as “the future of education starts here,” this year’s show is expected to bring together more than 7,500 educators, EdTech leaders and suppliers over the three days, running alongside the co-located Education Investment MENA conference. The exhibition floor is open from 10:00 to 18:00 on 10 and 11 November, and 10:00 to 17:00 on 12 November.
The show opens against a backdrop of continued growth across the region’s education sector. Dubai’s private education sector alone is set to welcome 26 new institutions in the 2026–27 academic year — seven schools, 17 early childhood centers and two international higher education institutions (KHDA) — while the wider GCC education sector is projected to see student numbers rise from 14 million in 2024 to 15.5 million by 2029, requiring more than 2,800 additional schools over that period (Alpen Capital, GCC Education Industry Report 2025). The GCC’s international-schools market alone now comprises 1,854 schools serving almost 1.9 million students, with the UAE remaining in the region’s largest international-school market at 935 schools serving more than 934,000 students.
Her Excellency Aisha Miran, Director General of KHDA, noted the important role that education exhibitions and industry platforms play in bringing together educators, policymakers, innovators and industry partners, saying that they provide valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge, explore emerging trends and technologies, showcase innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and strengthen collaboration across the education ecosystem. They also support the sector’s ongoing development by connecting educational needs with new ideas, expertise and solutions that can help shape the future of learning.
Sarah Palmer, Brand Director at GESS, Informa, said: “The education community has really pulled out all the stops this year, and you can feel the buzz across the show floor! GESS Dubai is definitely not your typical exhibition. We’ve got everything from Limitless Learning’s 360° immersive dome and Smart Garden showing how students can grow their own produce, to Terra at Expo City Dubai bringing a little bit of nature indoors with beekeeping and honey-making experiences. Throw in our new Design & Build feature, the Early Years Interactive Discovery Zone, live classroom setups, Startup Spotlight and Leaders in Education, and there’s something happening around every corner. It’s brilliant to see so many creative ideas coming to life, and that’s exactly the kind of energy we love bringing to GESS Dubai!”
The conference programme runs across nine stages and streams this year – GESS Talks Live Stage, Leaders in Education, Inclusion, Wellbeing and Sustainability, Product Showcase, EdTech in Action, Design & Build, Early Years, Education Investment MENA, and Startup Spotlight – with CPD-accredited sessions available throughout.
Key Focus Areas
EdTech in Action: AI and Immersive Technology
Exhibitors confirmed on this year’s floor include NeuroBoost AI, Albie AI, PowerSchool, Microsoft Gulf, McGraw-Hill Education, Mangahigh.com, Mozaik Education and myday by Collabco. On day one, the conversation moves to the conference stage with Dr Steffen Sommer (Misk Schools) on AI and assessment, Mohammad Al Natour (Collège De La Salle, Amman, with Tyrone Ruth, MBZUAI) on AI use among students, and Richard Churches on embodied intelligence.
Inclusion, Wellbeing and Sustainability
On day one, Dr Bharati Kawale (Woodlem’s Education / Dewvales School) speaks on vocational training and transition planning for students of determination, May Zalat (Kids First Group) on creating inclusive environments for children of determination, and Stuart Hardy (Terra, Expo City Dubai) on embedding sustainability through real-world learning.
Design & Build
This stream brings classroom design and furniture exhibitors to the floor, including Marti Okulmobilyalari, Mike Miller Associates and Meerqat Polymers.
Early Years
Early years specialists on the floor this year include Modern Teaching Aids International, alongside day-one sessions on family and early-childhood themes from the speaker’s pitch note.
Notable Speakers from Day One
Day one’s conference programme includes:[GU1]
- Mohamed Abdulhalim – Director of Supply Development, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) – Beyond Growth: Shaping the Next Chapter of Education Investment in Dubai
- Mohammad Al Natour – Academic Director, Collège De La Salle, Amman (with Tyrone Ruth, MBZUAI) – “95% of Your Students Are Using AI. 5% Lie.”
- Richard Churches – Managing Director, Richard Churches Ltd – “Beyond Agentic AI: Embodied Intelligence and the Future of Learning”
- Dr Bharati Kawale – Cluster Head of Inclusion, Woodlem’s Education / Dewvales School – vocational training and transition planning for students of determination
- Stuart Hardy – Assistant Manager, Terra, Expo City Dubai – embedding sustainability through real-world learning
- May Zalat – Director of Inclusion, Kids First Group – creating inclusive environments for children of determination
Exhibitors and Global Participation
The show floor brings together exhibitors from across AI and EdTech, classroom design, and early years, including NeuroBoost AI, Albie AI, PowerSchool, Microsoft Gulf, McGraw-Hill Education, Marti Okulmobilyalari, Mike Miller Associates, Modern Teaching Aids International, VedAtma and Robert Student Travel, confirmed on the current 2026 exhibitor list. This year GESS is showcasing 150+ exhibitors and 119 countries.
Looking Ahead
The GESS Education Awards, held on 11 November at The Conrad Hotel Dubai, mark a highlight of this year’s show, with a record 1,200+ entries from 70 countries across 30 categories GESS Dubai runs through 12 November 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Saeed Halls. Registration is free for education professionals.
Register for free today: www.gessdubai.com
