Frequently Asked Questions

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Your Resource for Everything You Need to Know About Shoptalk Luxe 2026

Welcome to our frequently asked questions (FAQ's) page, where you'll find answers to all your questions about Shoptalk Luxe 2026. Whether you're curious about tickets, event features, or general information, this section is designed to help you prepare for an unforgettable event experience.

Scroll down to see all the frequently asked questions (FAQ's) and answers below to get started - enjoy!

General

Shoptalk Luxe will be taking place from 27 - 29 January 2026 at the Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi - West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirate 
Shoptalk Luxe will take place mainly outdoors, offering the perfect opportunity to experience Abu Dhabi’s stunning surroundings in a relaxed yet inspiring setting. Every element has been thoughtfully designed for your comfort, with shaded areas throughout and all content sessions and key experiences hosted in elegant, covered spaces.
We recommend arriving in Abu Dhabi on Monday afternoon for early badge pick-up and leaving no earlier than early evening on Thursday, 29th January. Please be mindful of any after-show activities that you may have planned when booking your stay. Please see our hotel webpage for nearby hotels here.
The Shoptalk Luxe experience includes conference days and party nights. Prepare for smart-casual attire. Abu Dhabi is relatively mild in January, with average temperatures of 18°C and highs of 24°C during the peak of the day. At night, the temperature dips to a low of 12°C, so you’ll need to pack a few layers to stay warm on evenings out.
Yes, Wi-Fi will be available throughout Shoptalk Luxe. 
Prepare yourself for a culinary delight! On arrival, you can expect a selection of continental breakfast items with a middle eastern twist. Lunch is served daily from 12pm across Emirates Palace restaurants and our show floor so that you can refuel at a time and place that is convenient to you. You can choose from a range of cuisines which can be picked up on the way to meetings or to see world-class content or enjoyed with views of the ocean. Between meals, you will also have a range of snacks from our lounges and tea, coffee, & water served throughout the day.
Shoptalk Luxe does not share or sell attendee contact information. We have not authorised any company to contact you. We recommend that you do not reply to or speak with any organisation claiming to sell the Shoptalk Luxe attendee list and do not share your credit card information. 
There is a complimentary cloakroom available during show days. It is located on Level 1 next to Badge Pick Up.
Shoptalk Luxe offers complimentary use of the Kids Palace for all pre-registered children. There is a family room located at the Kids Palace. We also have a mother's room available at the show. Please reach out to the Shoptalk team for guidance on location here.

Travel & Accommodation

The closest airport to Abu Dhabi is Zayed International Airport.
We have a range of hotels with preferred rates reserved for a limited time, which are close to the venue – a short taxi journey away. Please see these available here.
Visa requirements will vary depending on nationality. We advise checking the official website of the UAE government for accurate and up-to-date information.
Taxis are readily available and an effective way to travel in Abu Dhabi.
Shoptalk Luxe do not have a transfer service booked for the event from the airport due to arrival and departure times varying. Please be advised to either pre-book your airport transfer or taxi’s are an easy option on arrival in Abu Dhabi.

Health & Safety

We advise to check the official website of the UAE government for accurate and up-to-date information.
Medical and First Aid are located by the Palace Terrace and within the Emirates Palace for the show. This location can be viewed on all floor plans. Please get in touch with a member of the Shoptalk Luxe team if you need assistance. Security is in operation across the venue and show spaces.

Local Information & Customs

Make sure your travel documents are in order and check the latest entry requirements and government issued travel advice before your trip.

Please note that WhatsApp calls and Wi-Fi calling are not available while in Abu Dhabi, so plan accordingly.
While enjoying your time in Abu Dhabi, please remember to respect local customs and laws:
• Public displays of affection are discouraged.
• Use respectful language at all times.
• Drunken or disorderly behaviour in public is taken seriously and may result in arrest.
Credit cards are widely accepted in Abu Dhabi, with Visa and Mastercard being the most common. For smaller purchases and some taxis, it's advisable to carry some cash in the local currency of UAE Dirhams.
Please be mindful that some attendees may choose not to consume alcohol and pork. We kindly ask all guests to remain respectful of others’ preferences and to observe local customs regarding alcohol service and consumption. The venue has available prayer rooms for both men and women. Please note that the prayer rooms are located on the 1st floor - the female prayer room is next to the Lebanese Terrace restaurant, and the male prayer room is next to Broadway restaurant.
Since the event is mainly outside and in public, please respect local customs and dress appropriately. We recommend dressing in conservative business attire and to have your shoulders and knees covered. Headscarves are only required in religious places. Shoptalk Luxe involves lots of walking so make sure to wear comfy shoes!
In public or professional settings, when meeting with a woman it is courteous to wait for them to initiate a handshake rather than extending your hand first, as some women may prefer not to engage in physical contact for cultural or religious reasons. If you are participating in our Meetup programme, please arrive on time and keep meetings within the 15-minute limit to ensure a smooth experience for everyone. Greet your meeting partners warmly and maintain a courteous, professional manner throughout the interaction. During Meetup, to respect privacy and ensure personal space is valued, only approach attendees you have confirmed meetings with, and access the Meetup area only during your scheduled times.

Registration

The current registration price is posted on our website here.   
No, we do not offer one day tickets. Tickets provide access to all aspects of Shoptalk Luxe, including sessions, networking events, breakfasts, lunches, receptions, exhibits, etc. that are not private. We do not offer any exhibit area only or partial attendance rates.  
As stated in our Terms of Attendance and Participation, tickets to Shoptalk Luxe 2026 are nonrefundable. If you can no longer attend Shoptalk Luxe 2026, please contact us for assistance at E: [email protected].

Meetup

Meetup meetings will take place onsite during Shoptalk Luxe 2026 on a dedicated terraced area. All meetings will be scheduled based on everyone’s individual availability during the following times (note that all meetings are pre-scheduled):
  • Tuesday, 27th January, 2026, at 2:00 pm – 3.10 pm
  • Wednesday, 28th January, 2026, at 10:00 am -11:10 am and 2:10 pm- 3:20 pm
  • Thursday, 29th January, 2026, at 11:25 am - 12:35 pm
There are a few steps to complete before your meetings start onsite:

  • Step 1: Complete your profile and share details about yourself and why you are participating. Tell us your availability, you will only be scheduled for meetings when you are available.
  • Step 2: Select who you want to meet by reviewing the profiles of everyone participating and indicating if they are ‘Relevant’ or ‘Super Relevant‘.
  • Step 3: Opt-in to the new requests you've received from participants who you originally did not select. Every meeting you are scheduled for is double opt-in, ensuring that each meeting is valuable!
  • Step 4: Accept your meetings that have been scheduled for you! You only are scheduled for meetings with people you selected who also selected you
  • Step 5: Accept any backfilled meetings that have been scheduled for you!
  • Step 6: We will give you full access to your confirmed Meetup schedule. All confirmed Meetup sessions will be able to be viewed in the My Schedule section of the platform.

Then, simply join your meetings onsite. And remember, all meetings are double opt-in, guaranteeing you'll only meet people you want to meet who also want to meet you.

Meetup scheduling opened on 8th December. You can now login and review your profile on our platform, you will have recently received a link to access this from [email protected].

If you need assistance please email [email protected].

Through the Meetup programme, you’ll participate in up to 16 meetings - limited only by your availability and mutual interest.
Every Shoptalk Luxe attendee is welcome to participate in Meetup! If you register after 13th January, you will no longer be able to participate in the Meetup Programme. 
Yes, absolutely. Once you have downloaded the app, you will have full access to your meeting schedule. All confirmed meetings will appear with details such as company name, representative name, time, date and table number.

Content

You can see all of our content sessions on our agenda here.
All sessions are included with your event admission ticket. We recommend arriving early to secure your seat