ME by Meliá Dubai Supports Local is the initiative that every UAE entrepreneur should have on their radar — 40 free showcase spaces inside the Zaha Hadid-designed Opus building, backed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, running May 7–10, 2026. If you are a local brand owner who missed the April 29 registration deadline, keep this one on file for next time.
What Is ME Dubai Supports Local?
ME by Meliá Dubai Supports Local runs from May 7 to 10 and is dedicated to spotlighting local brands and entrepreneurs. The venue is the hotel's signature atrium inside the Opus building — the only structure in the world designed both externally and internally by the late Zaha Hadid. For four days, that space becomes a live marketplace where UAE-made products take the spotlight in front of a high-footfall, internationally minded crowd.
The showcase features locally made abayas, jalabiyas, and artisanal perfumes, with both emerging and established concepts getting a shot at reaching new audiences. This is not a pop-up tucked into a corridor. It is the architectural centrepiece of a MICHELIN-recognised hotel, and local brands get to own it for four days straight.
The Perks Attached to ME by Meliá Dubai Supports Local
A total of 40 complimentary showcase spaces are being offered to local businesses, giving participating brands the opportunity to present their products inside the hotel's central atrium. No booth rental. No hidden fees.
Selected participants also receive a 30% discount on hotel stays and food and beverage offerings throughout the full duration of the event. A free showcase space and a discount at one of Dubai's most design-forward properties for the same four days you are selling — that pairing is hard to find anywhere else on the local events circuit.
The event brings together both emerging and established concepts, giving brands the opportunity to connect with new audiences. Whether you have an early-stage label or a brand that has already made some noise locally, this is an open door.
Why This Matters for UAE Homegrown Brands
Getting your product inside a five-star hotel is usually a long game. ME by Meliá Dubai holds a MICHELIN Guide 2025 One Key distinction, and its guest base is international, design-aware, and actively spending. Four days inside that atrium, with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism officially attached to the initiative, gives participating brands a credibility and visibility lift that most local labels spend months trying to achieve on their own.
The Zaha Hadid-designed Opus building is not a conference room. It is the architectural centrepiece of a hotel that draws an internationally minded crowd. Having your products on display there for four days — with institutional backing from the Dubai DET — is a solid positioning move for any homegrown label.
Event Details
- Event: ME Dubai Supports Local - Dates: May 7–10, 2026 - Venue: ME by Meliá Dubai, Opus Building, Burj Khalifa District - Showcase Spaces: 40 complimentary spots for UAE-based businesses - Perk: 30% discount on hotel stays and F&B for participating brands - Register: sales.me.dubai@melia.com - Deadline: April 29, 2026
