Announcements
APLF returns to Dubai to exhibit leather industry’s finest and best
The world’s leading leather trade fair APLF is returning to the UAE for a successive year when it will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from March 13-15. Considered as the industry’s most important trade fair, the APLF will cover a gross exhibition area of 16,000 square meters and host 14 national pavilions from countries globally including Brazil, China, Egypt, France, India, Italy, Pakistan and more in the Sheikh Saeed Halls.
Commenting on the announcement of the trade fair, David Bondi, Senior Vice President, Informa Markets Asia, said: “Dubai is a melting pot of cultures and nationalities. Following the success of last year’s exhibition, it was a natural gravitas to hold the fair in UAE. Being the hub for businesses, Dubai is easily accessible from the American, European as well as the Asian subcontinents and will be a contributing factor to the international nature of the trade show.
“APLF has continually dedicated years to organising leather and fashion trade shows, attracting 60,000 participants annually and providing suitable venues for top-notch businesses, manufacturers, tanners, buyers, designers & suppliers. We look forward to a successful edition again this year.” he said.
The APLF will be held along with concurrent sister events at the Sheikh Saeed Halls in DWTC from March 13-15. Supplied
The three-day exhibition will bring to the emirate over 300 plus exhibitors as well as the participation of regional associations from China along with others from Brazil, Egypt, France, India, Italy, Pakistan and Türkiye. For a second time in a row, the prime leather fair will take place in Dubai, with this year adding on the long-awaited Chinese suppliers and buyers. and be able to take full advantage of the business platform traditionally offered to the leather and fashion sectors by APLF since its inception in 1984. The APLF Leather fair covers the whole supply chain of the leather making industry and offers hundreds of finished leathers for all applications possible, from footwear and leather goods to garments and upholstery, making APLF Leather a unique sourcing event in the Middle East and North African region (MENA).
APLF’s sister fair, Fashion Access, will be held concurrently at the DWTC and is also supported by national and regional associations from Botswana, China, India, Pakistan, South Africa and Vietnam, A wide selection of footwear and leather goods will be on display highlighting the future trends and colors that will populate the fashion scene in upcoming seasons.
While APLF is a trade fair for businesses to come together and form partnerships, running simultaneously during the fair are several other activities integrating color, fashion and material trends which are of great interest to designers and artists alike. Notably this year sees the third edition of the Global Footwear Executive Summit (GFES) and seminars organised by Leather Naturally. A total of four workshops will take place at this year’s edition of APLF, which include two on leather foundation and two on footwear design.
| Dates: | 13 -15 March 2023 |
| Opening Hours: | 10:00am-6:00pm on Day 1 & 2, 10:00am-5:00pm on Day 3 |
| Venue: | Sheikh Saeed Halls 1-3, Dubai World Trade Centre |
| Concurrent Events: | APLF Leather, Materials+, Fashion Access |
Announcements
Inside The Plaza at Uptown Dubai: An open-air venue set to transform the city’s business and events scene
In a city that thrives on bold ambition and global connection, a new landmark has quietly taken its place at the heart of Dubai’s business future.
DMCC has officially opened The Plaza at Uptown Dubai, a 21,000 square metre open-air destination designed to host everything from high-level corporate summits to large-scale concerts and community gatherings.
For UAE residents and business leaders alike, this isn’t just another development announcement. It’s a signal that Uptown Dubai is stepping into a new era.
A new gathering space in town
Strategically positioned at the centre of Uptown Dubai, The Plaza physically connects the iconic Uptown Tower with the district’s wider commercial and residential community.
Designed to accommodate up to 4,000 guests, the venue features advanced staging, lighting and digital display infrastructure, enabling year-round programming and rapid event turnover.
For Dubai’s fast-moving corporate ecosystem, that means seamless hosting of:
- Global trade conferences
- Finance and technology forums
- Industry expos
- Cultural performances
- Community celebrations
In a city known for world-class event venues, The Plaza adds something different: scale, accessibility and integration within a thriving business district.
For UAE residents, the venue offers more opportunities for networking, collaboration and global visibility without leaving the city.
Next business hub taking shape
The Plaza’s launch comes as Uptown Dubai moves into its next development phase.
Currently under construction:
- Two commercial towers (23 and 17 storeys)
- 62,000 square metres of additional Grade A commercial and retail space
Once complete, the full district will deliver:
- 538,000 square metres total gross floor area
- 232,000 square metres dedicated to Grade A commercial office space
What’s in it for residents
For professionals, it means:
- More international events are hosted locally
- Increased networking and industry exposure
- Expanded commercial opportunities
For residents, it offers:
- Open-air concerts and cultural events
- Community experiences within a premium urban setting
- A new social hub integrated into Dubai’s skyline
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