IDF Oman 2027: interiors, furniture and fit-out exhibition at OCEC Muscat, 12-14 January. Meet 200+ exhibitors from 17+ countries.
Dates
12–14 Jan 2027
City / country
Muscat, Oman
Venue
Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC)
Event overview
IDF Oman is the Sultanate's dedicated interiors, design and furnishing trade exhibition, returning to the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre in Muscat from 12 to 14 January 2027.
The 13th edition brings furniture, kitchen and bath, tiles and stone, lighting, art and outdoor design together with commercial fit-out suppliers under one roof.
Buyers from hotels, retail, offices and residential projects meet distributors and manufacturers from more than 17 countries, while a free Design Talks programme and B2B matchmaking lounge give the visit a working agenda rather than a browsing one.
TL;DR
Walk the floor to compare finishes, furniture and lighting side by side, sit in on free Design Talks, and use the matchmaking lounge to meet suppliers you would otherwise chase for weeks. For hotel, retail and residential project teams, three days in Muscat can replace a season of sample requests.
Oman's project pipeline is active but the supplier base is thin, so a stand at IDF Oman puts your products in front of specifiers, contractors and distributors who are already buying. The show runs alongside kitchen and bath, tile and stone, lighting and smart-living events, which widens the visitor pool without adding another trip.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sultan Qaboos Street, Al Athaiba, Muscat, Oman
Entrances & gates
Exhibition hall main entrance
Main visitor entrance from the OCEC precinct.
OCEC precinct drop-off
Taxi and ride-hailing drop-off.
Large on-site car park in the OCEC precinct; no published daily rate, so allow for free or event-controlled parking.
Step-free access and lifts serve the exhibition halls; ask at the main desk for wheelchair assistance.
Prayer rooms are provided within the OCEC complex; signs point to the men's and women's rooms.
Cloakroom and bag check at the main entrance during show hours.
Food options
OCEC food court and cafes
On-site diningParking: On-site parking is available across the OCEC precinct; follow signs for the exhibition halls rather than the convention centre auditorium.
Gate: Use the exhibition hall entrances facing the OCEC precinct; the venue is about 10 minutes from Muscat International Airport.
Attend
Ticket info
Ticket notes
Visitor registration page currently shows "Coming soon"; no ticket price is printed, and the Design Talks programme is free.
Who runs the show
Al Nimr International Exhibition Organizers
Organiser
What's on
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Edition #: 12
This edition
2027
Visitors: 15,000
Exhibitors: 200
Floor area: 13,000 sqm
Next edition
Not announced yet
Impact
A three-day concentration of specifiers, distributors and project buyers in Muscat, where the number of credible local suppliers is small relative to the construction and hospitality pipeline. Exhibitors get repeated exposure to the same decision-makers across the run.
Audience quality
The audience is trade-weighted: interior practices, fit-out contractors, hotel and retail project teams, and importers. Walk-in public traffic is limited, so conversations tend to start with a project or a range plan rather than a price question.
Exhibitor outcomes
Returns depend on distributor recruitment rather than unit sales. Exhibitors who arrive with GCC pricing, lead times and a named in-market contact leave with qualified partners; those treating it as a pop-up shop usually do not.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Oman's construction, tourism and retail spend is creating demand for interiors that the local manufacturing base cannot fully supply. Muscat sits within a short flight of Dubai, Doha and Riyadh, so IDF Oman works as a compact, lower-cost alternative to the big Gulf design weeks for buyers who want a focused Oman conversation.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Hospitality and tourism fit-outs
New hotels, resorts and airport-adjacent projects are specifying durable, locally serviceable furniture and finishes.
What it changes: Hospitality buyers arrive with live schedules and budgets, which shortens the path from sample to order.
Home-grown design and craft
Omani artisanship and regional design studios are being folded into commercial interiors rather than kept as decorative add-ons.
What it changes: Brands that can pair imported product with local craft stories win specification points.
Smart and flexible workspaces
Office and mixed-use projects are buying lighting, acoustic and space-planning products that adapt to hybrid use.
What it changes: The co-located Smart Living & Workspaces Expo puts these buyers in the same hall.
IDF Oman sits between the large Dubai design weeks and the Saudi build calendar; buyers often combine two shows in one Gulf trip.
INDEX Dubai
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Interiors and fit-out focus with a strong design audience.
websiteSaudi Build
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Construction-led; useful if Saudi projects are also on your list.
websiteThe Big 5 Global
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Broad construction and build materials; best for contractors and heavy materials.
websiteNovember build season
Two construction-led shows in the same month; pick by project geography.
January Oman window
A focused three-day Oman show with a design rather than construction bias.
Circuit dates are planning estimates, not organiser-confirmed calendars.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Main gateway; taxis and ride-hailing at the arrivals forecourt.
about 12 km
to venue
10-15 minutes
by car
Salalah Airport
Domestic alternative only; fly to Muscat for the show.
about 1,000 km
to venue
10-11 hours by road
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 70–110 / night
Simple business hotels 15-25 minutes from OCEC; book early in January.
USD 130–200 / night
Closest cluster to the venue; the Crowne Plaza sits in the OCEC precinct.
USD 240–400 / night
JW Marriott is linked to the convention centre; Shatti Al Qurum is a 25-minute drive.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Taxi / ride-hailing
Ride-hailing apps are widely used; agree the fare or use the meter.
Rental car
Useful for hotel-venue commuting; parking is available at OCEC.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oman e-visa (tourist/business) | Most non-GCC visitors, including many European and Asian passport holders | $52.00 | 3-5 working days |
GCC nationals and some visa-exempt nationalities do not need a visa; check the Royal Oman Police list.
No carnet arrangement is printed for this show; confirm with the organiser before shipping exhibits.
Official visa pageWeather
January is mild and dry: daytime around 24-27 C, nights around 16-19 C, very little rain.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Omani SIM cards are sold at Muscat airport; hotel and venue wi-fi is common.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Dress for a business audience
Smart casual is fine; modest dress is expected in public buildings and prayer rooms.
Ramadan and prayer times
The show falls outside Ramadan, but prayer rooms and short prayer breaks are part of the working day.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: MCT (Muscat International)
Book 6-8 weeks ahead; January is high season in Muscat.
Most visitors need an e-visa before travel; GCC nationals are exempt.
Estimated cost: USD 20-60
Processing: 3-5 working days
Apply on the Royal Oman Police e-visa portal; carry a printed approval.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: About 10-15 minutes by taxi from Muscat International; expect OMR 5-8.
Hotel → venue: Use ride-hailing or the hotel shuttle where offered; the OCEC precinct is walkable from Al Athaiba hotels.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps operate in Muscat and are the easiest option.
Public transit: Public bus coverage to OCEC is limited; plan on taxis.
Parking: Free on-site parking across the OCEC precinct.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: January
Temperature: 16-27 C
Seasonality: Dry, mild winter month with cool evenings.
Packing: Light layers for the hall, a jacket for evenings, and comfortable shoes for the floor.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Day 2 (13 January)
Day one is the busiest for exhibitor setup and press traffic; day two has the fullest programme and calmer meeting slots.
Register interest and book flights — Watch the registration page; January flights to Muscat fill early.
Book hotel near OCEC — Al Athaiba or the OCEC precinct keeps transfers under 15 minutes.
Shortlist exhibitors and request meetings — Use the exhibitor list when it opens and book matchmaking slots.
Apply for or confirm Oman e-visa — Carry a printed approval and passport valid for six months.
Plan the hall route and download the floor plan — Block two-hour slots per hall and leave time for Design Talks.
Registration and badge collection
OCEC exhibition entranceSupplier meetings in halls 3-5
IDF Oman exhibition hallsLunch and informal networking
OCEC food courtDesign Talks session
Design Talks stageMatchmaking lounge appointments
B2B networking loungeSultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Culture
20 minutes from OCEC
Landmark architecture and one of the region's largest prayer halls.
Muttrah Souq and corniche
Market
30-35 minutes from OCEC
Traditional trade atmosphere and a sense of Muscat's mercantile history.
B2B networking lounge
show floor
Hosted matchmaking and coffee meetings inside the hall.
OCEC precinct cafes
venue
Quieter tables for follow-up conversations after the floor closes.
Omani buyers often decide after a second conversation and a site or factory reference; a slow first follow-up loses the specification.
Budget
Shell scheme
OMR 85–110 / m²
Raw space
OMR 55–75 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
No tariff is printed on the site; bands are market estimates for a Muscat design show.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
hotel
visitor · mid
USD 130–200 / per night
per_diem
both · mid
USD 40–70 / per day
visa
visitor · standard
USD 20–60 / per entry
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| hotel | visitor | mid | USD 130–200 / per night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| per_diem | both | mid | USD 40–70 / per day | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| visa | visitor | standard | USD 20–60 / per entry | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Six questions to decide whether to visit, exhibit or skip IDF Oman 2027.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
Which best describes your role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You have two or more supplier categories to compare and can commit a full day.
Best for
Designers, specifiers and project buyers with a live or near-term requirement
Min. budget
$1,200.00
Timeline
4-6 weeks before the show
Risks
January hotel rates
Limited public transport to OCEC
exhibit
You have an in-market contact or distributor plan and a stand budget above USD 12,000.
Best for
Brands and distributors targeting Oman and the wider GCC
Min. budget
$12,000.00
Timeline
3-4 months before the show
Risks
Freight and customs delays
Stand costs above the headline rate
skip
You are outside the region with no 2027 specification pipeline.
Best for
General public and teams with no active project
Timeline
Not applicable
Risks
Missing a useful market signal
Book with
Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre
Purpose-built convention and exhibition centre in Al Athaiba, Muscat, about 10 minutes from the airport.
Official venue site.
Oman Airports
Operator of Muscat International Airport, the main gateway for visitors.
Official airport operator.
Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry
National chamber supporting trade and business visitors.
Public body, not a confirmed show partner.
Al Nimr International Exhibition Organizers
Muscat-based organiser of IDF Oman and the co-located shows.
Named as organiser on the show site.
Recommended providers
Apply before travel; fees vary by nationality.
Compare Al Athaiba and OCEC precinct hotels; January books early.
Direct services to Muscat from major Gulf and Asian cities.
Appointed show freight forwarder
Confirm in the exhibitor manual; no handler is printed on the site.
Your travel insurer
Confirm exhibition and business-travel cover; stand insurance is separate.
Local guide or hotel concierge
Grand Mosque and Muttrah Souq are easy half-day trips.
Bring your own scanner or QR form
No official scanner is provided; export leads daily.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
5 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
4
References
2
Publishers
4
Date checked
Al Nimr International Exhibition Organizers
Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
