Author: India, Middle East and Africa Team, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
Expo 2020 Dubai (1 Oct 2021-31 Mar 2022) will not only provide a platform for New Zealand as a country, but also for New Zealand businesses to elevate their brand in front of a global audience.
New Zealand plans to promote its values, innovation and creativity to the world over six months at Expo 2020 Dubai, under the theme of ‘Care for People and Place’.
Here are 10 ways your business can participate virtually and in-person at the Expo.
1. Learn how to succeed in the Gulf region with the NZTE Expo Business Leverage Programme (without even leaving New Zealand)
The NZTE Expo Business Leverage Programme is a series of activities planned in the lead up to and during the Expo.
It has different streams, suitable for both businesses new to the Middle East and those already in market. Overall, it will help you connect with important global networks who will have a presence at Expo 2020 Dubai, while also working to improve your understanding of the Middle East’s key markets.
Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the programme has both in-market and virtual elements. There will be online learning and networking opportunities, so if you think the programme will have value for you but are unsure if you will be able to travel in 2021-2022, it's worth registering your interest so we can talk you through the options.
Register your interest now:
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Discover Middle East: United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia – for businesses new to the region
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Accelerate Middle East: for businesses with experience in the Middle East
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Food and Beverage: for F&B exporters with a presence in or understanding of the Middle East.
2. Gain global attention for your brand by sponsoring New Zealand at Expo 2020
Join the Care Collective and become a sponsor to support New Zealand’s theme of ‘Care for People and Place’ and share our belief that New Zealand is good for the world.
Expo 2020 Dubai will give Care Collective members the opportunity to build their corporate profiles in emerging and fast-growing markets and a chance to make international connections and take advantage of key diplomatic and trade initiatives.
3. Wow your stakeholders by hosting an event at the New Zealand pavilion
As a business, you’ll be able to impress stakeholders and potential clients by hosting them at the New Zealand pavilion. The pavilion will include a licensed restaurant and flexible event spaces for New Zealand businesses to use throughout the Expo.
You can use it to organise product launches or demonstrations, create a food and beverage sampling experience in the test kitchen, host stakeholders for lunch, dinner or cocktail receptions, hold meetings, multimedia presentations or seminars and organise marketing activations and events.
Find out more about the Pavilion hosting venues and how to book them here
4. Profile your food and beverage products by hosting an event during Taste New Zealand month
From mid-December 2021 to mid-January 2022 at the Expo, it will be Taste New Zealand month where the spotlight will be on New Zealand’s premium, quality, safe and nutritious food and beverage.
This will be a chance to showcase your exceptional food and beverage to buyers and consumers in the UAE and the wider region, with additional exposure to visitors from South Asia, China and Europe.
Companies that already have a presence in the UAE market can make the most of the opportunity to showcase their products, working with famous New Zealand chefs at the pavilion's restaurant and using its demonstration kitchen for events.
5. Collaborate and compete for global business opportunities via the Expo 2020 Online Marketplace
With more than 20,000 companies from more than 140 countries registered to do business at the Expo, the aim of the Expo 2020 Dubai Online Marketplace is to drive collaboration and growth by enabling businesses of all sizes to advertise their capabilities, market for business globally and connect with others within the supply chain.
The best part? It’s completely free.
After registering, your business will be able to connect with hundreds of international participants, partners, licensees and major contractors. Depending on your business, you’ll be able to showcase your expertise and products, compete for contracts, advertise tender opportunities, and gain access to a range of local and international suppliers.
6. Connect, meet or pitch to other international business attendees via the Expo 2020 B2B App
Connect, meet or pitch to other international business attendees through the soon-to-be-released Expo 2020 B2B App.
The scope and size of the Expo means not all connections will be able to be made on the ground, so the app will help you meet the right people at the right time and boost connections among the business community before and during the Expo.
You will need to register and create a ‘Cyber booth’ on the app to showcase your products and services: include information, videos, live demos and anything else you’d like to share. You can then match with other relevant businesses that align with your goals and you’ll have options to chat, connect through video calls, schedule meetings and much more.
Follow us on our social media and sign up to NZ at Expo 2020 Dubai’s newsletter to find out when the app is available to download.
7. New Zealand’s National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai
This is an opportunity for your business to take advantage of the increased profile of New Zealand during our National Day celebration at the Expo on January 31, 2022.
Each participating country at the Expo will take to the iconic Al Wasl Plaza for their National Day. There, visitors will experience music, dance, drama and food that reflects each country’s culture and history.
8. Celebrate New Zealand’s creative talent with your key contacts while hosting them at Entertainment and Cultural Programme events
Award-winning choreographer, artist and director Parris Goebel is curating a unique cultural experience for New Zealand's Entertainment and Cultural Programme at the Expo.
This programme will present key opportunities for your business to celebrate New Zealand’s creative talent with your key contacts by hosting them at one of the many planned events and activations.
9. Explore the latest global trends and innovations at the Expo 2020 Theme Weeks
Attend a theme week during the Expo that aligns with your business to network and connect with other businesses in attendance, or host your own event at the New Zealand pavilion to capitalise on those attending the activations of a particular theme week.
The theme weeks will cover Space, Water, Climate and Biodiversity, Urban and Rural Development, Tolerance and Inclusivity, the Golden Jubilee (humanitarianism, environment, sustainability), Knowledge and Learning, Travel and Connectivity, Health and Wellness, Global Goals and Food, Agriculture and Livelihoods.
Find out more about Expo 2020 Dubai’s Themes here.
10. Attend trade shows held at the Expo 2020 Dubai Exhibition Centre
Trade shows provide an exciting and lively platform for your business to gain exposure, network and connect, as well as to engage in constructive dialogues between stakeholders, individuals and other businesses.
The UAE has a busy trade show calendar, which attracts global visitors every year. During the Expo, these events will have an even wider reach, and will be tied into the NZTE Expo Business Leverage Programme experiences.
Highlights include Gitex Technology Week (October 2021), Gulfood Manufacturing (November 2021), the Dubai Airshow (November 2021), Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (January 2022), Arab Health (January 2022), Gulfood (February 2022) and Agra Middle East (March 2022).
Visit the NZ at Expo website for more information on how you can participate in Expo 2020 Dubai.
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