CABSAT 2026 and SATExpo 2026 Open in Dubai with Global Media and Space Leaders

His Excellency Buti Saeed Al Ghandi, Vice Chairman of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), has inaugurated CABSAT 2026 and SATExpo 2026 at Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), Expo City Dubai, bringing together global companies and experts from the media, broadcast, satellite and space technology sectors.

The two events will run until October 7, providing platforms for technology showcases, industry discussions, business networking and cross-sector collaboration.

CABSAT, now in its 33rd edition, is being held in strategic partnership with Dubai Studio City, while SATExpo, now in its second edition, has the UAE Space Agency as its strategic partner.

CABSAT to attract 18,800 visitors

CABSAT 2026 is expected to attract more than 18,800 visitors, with around 450 exhibiting companies and 700 brands from more than 120 countries.

More than 150 speakers are scheduled to contribute to over 50 hours of industry content, covering developments across content creation, post-production, broadcasting, media technology and professional audiovisual solutions.

SATExpo will feature more than 150 exhibitors from over 70 countries and more than 80 expert speakers, focusing on satellite and space technologies.

Rajendra Salgaonkar, Head of Sales, Exhibitions at inD, said bringing the two events together reflects the increasing convergence of media, broadcasting, satellite and space technology.

AI and new technologies take centre stage

CABSAT 2026 is featuring ContentVerse Director’s Cut, a dedicated conference programme covering content strategy, monetisation, artificial intelligence and emerging storytelling formats.

The one-day programme on October 5 brings together industry leaders to discuss how technology is changing the way content is created, distributed and monetised.

The event also features Off The Record, a broadcast-grade podcast studio on the exhibition floor, where industry professionals are participating in discussions on developments across the sector.

AI-powered content creation is another key theme. Moon Baz from Meta highlighted the potential of AI-enabled wearables to support more immersive and authentic content creation while making aspects of production faster and more cost-efficient.

Dubai Studio City highlights production ecosystem

As CABSAT's strategic partner, Dubai Studio City is showcasing Dubai's production capabilities through a Sound Stage Tour, giving visitors an inside look at professional production infrastructure.

Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President of Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, Dubai Production City and in5 at TECOM Group, said Dubai's media ecosystem was being strengthened by investment in advanced infrastructure, international talent and emerging technologies.

He highlighted the development of new studios, LED production capabilities and a growing pool of international creative talent as factors supporting the emirate's expanding content-production sector.

Content creators and investors to explore partnerships

The Co-Production Salon, held in partnership with H-consult, is connecting content creators, producers and investors to explore production partnerships, financing opportunities and international collaborations.

The programme is designed to connect creative projects with potential commercial partners and support new content development across the media industry.

Other CABSAT sessions are covering next-generation broadcast ecosystems, AI-powered immersive experiences, cloud-based media infrastructure and multi-platform content strategies.

SATExpo focuses on space technology

SATExpo 2026 is providing a dedicated platform for satellite and space technology companies, with exhibitors including APSTAR, Eutelsat, INTEGRASYS, ST Engineering iDirect, RSCC, Hughes and Space Communication Technologies.

The event features space technology demonstrations, an innovation showcase, matchmaking sessions and startup zones aimed at connecting technology companies, investors and industry stakeholders.

SATExpo Summit to examine new space economy

The SATExpo Summit, taking place on October 6 and 7 under the theme “Connectivity, Intelligence and the New Space Economy,” will bring together experts from the space, robotics, telecommunications, technology and regulatory sectors.

Speakers include Professor Sami Haddadin of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Rajeeshwaran Moorthy of Space City Asia, Dr Sara Ahmad of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, Christelle Astorg-Lepine of the French Embassy in the UAE, Franck Mouriaux of FADA and Mac Malkawi of BLINC Space.

Together, CABSAT and SATExpo are positioning Dubai Exhibition Centre as a meeting point for the global media, broadcast, professional audiovisual, satellite and space technology communities.

The events are expected to facilitate technology discovery, business partnerships and cross-sector collaboration while supporting Dubai's growing role in the creative, digital and space economies.