Pass WHX 2026: Medical Demo Mock-up Playbook

Pass WHX 2026: Medical Demo Mock-up Playbook

January 5, 2026

World Health Expo Dubai stand compliance is non-negotiable at WHX 2026: the show runs 9–12 February 2026 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), co-timed with DWTC events and WHX Labs. With ~4,800+ exhibitors and a conservative 60,000+ trade visits, every medical demo carries amplified regulatory and logistical risk. This playbook explains why and gives a Burdak-tested, step-by-step mock-up and pre-assembly solution to protect your demo, schedule and ROI.

Why WHX 2026 is different — scale, venues and the demo stakes (World Health Expo Dubai stand compliance)

WHX 2026 is not a standard medical trade fair. Key differences that affect World Health Expo Dubai stand compliance include:

  • Dates & co-timing: 9–12 February 2026 at the DEC with DWTC co-timed events and WHX Labs, creating peak demand for services and traffic at marshalling areas.
  • Scale: Organisers list ~4,800+ exhibitors and 60,000+ trade visits; aggregated audiences from co-timed events are larger, straining logistics and service suppliers.
  • Heavy equipment prevalence: Large imaging and diagnostic devices require three-phase/24-hour power, certified structural support and specialised rigging.

Consequently, medical demos are high-risk: customs & MOHAP bottlenecks, venue technical deadlines and on-site resource shortages mean cancellations or curtailed demos translate directly to lost ROI.

The single exhibitor pain point that ruins ROI — temporary import, MOHAP classification and customs holds (World Health Expo Dubai stand compliance)

How the hold happens

Most cancelled demos stem from a single category of failure: temporary-import documentation and regulatory mismatch. Common failure modes include:

  • Using an ATA Carnet or temporary-import paperwork that does not match device serial numbers.
  • Incomplete or delayed MOHAP classification where required — MOHAP may require device documentation and local registration references.
  • Packaging or crate labels with different model/serial numbers than the accompanying paperwork.

Consequences

Customs holds can range from same-day delays to multi-day seizures. Regional service providers often charge a 10–30% premium for urgent customs remediation. For a single demo, these charges plus lost show time can erase projected ROI.

Venue technical traps to avoid — RAMS/structural drawings, DCD fire certificates, 24‑hour power orders, and AD/DEC deadlines (World Health Expo Dubai stand compliance)

Required submissions & deadlines

  • RAMS and structural/shop drawings: Certified, English-language documents typically due 3–6 weeks pre-build. Incomplete RAMS or missing method statements trigger build holds.
  • Dubai Civil Defence (DCD) fire reports: Required for any enclosed or flammable fitting; DCD certificates must match shop drawings to be accepted.
  • Power and rigging: Three-phase and 24-hour power orders for heavy imaging must be placed during AD/DEC ordering windows. Late orders incur surcharges and may not be fulfilled.
  • Internet & AV: AD/DEC ordering windows for dedicated internet and rigging slots are finite; on-site procurement is expensive and unreliable.

Typical surcharge ranges and failure modes

  • Late technical orders: 10–30% surcharge (industry standard in the region).
  • On-site failures: incorrect power capacity causing tripped circuits, insufficient rigging points for device mass, or AV latency from ad-hoc network feeds.
  • Strict “no in-booth crate” rules at DEC increase last-mile friction for heavy devices.

Burdak’s pre‑assembly & mock‑up solution — step‑by‑step (World Health Expo Dubai stand compliance)

We specialise in securing complex medical demos with a factory-first methodology. Our approach reduces on-site risk and compresses build time by 40–60% based on Burdak project records.

Step 1 — Documentation & customs pre-check

  • Verify ATA Carnet or temporary‑import paperwork against the device serial numbers and MOHAP classification before shipment.
  • Produce a detailed BOM / material passport to accompany customs submissions.

Step 2 — Factory pre-fit & CNC precision joinery

  • In-house fabrication of device mounts, enclosures and cabinetry with CNC tolerances to ensure bolt-on fit at the DEC.
  • Pre-fit device mounts to the actual unit where possible to remove fitment risk.

Step 3 — Full‑scale 3D Mockups & off‑site testing

  • Produce full-scale 3D Mockups to validate ergonomics, sightlines and DCD requirements before shipment.
  • Perform off-site power and inrush testing, and AV throughput trials to confirm power draws and network load profiles.

Step 4 — DWTC/DEC-ready paperwork and DCD reports

  • Deliver RAMS and shop drawings in English, certified for DEC acceptance 3–6 weeks pre-build.
  • Supply DCD-acceptable fire-rating certificates and method statements to prevent on-site rejections.

Step 5 — Staged delivery & marshalling sequencing

  • Produce a phased delivery plan that aligns with DEC marshalling windows and avoids last-minute crate holds.
  • We can manage local customs clearance and MOHAP liaising to remove surprise holds while keeping costs predictable.

8‑week timeline & exhibitor checklist — what to do at T‑8, T‑6, T‑4, T‑2 weeks (World Health Expo Dubai stand compliance)

Follow this condensed eight‑week plan to protect your demo.

  • T‑8 weeks:
    • Submit ATA Carnet or temporary‑import paperwork; start MOHAP classification queries.
    • Issue BOM/material passport and serial number list to customs agent and Burdak.
    • Place early-bird power and internet orders with AD/DEC.
  • T‑6 weeks:
    • Finalize RAMS and structural/shop drawings; engage Burdak for CNC and in-house fabrication planning.
    • Arrange DCD fire-rating documentation if required.
  • T‑4 weeks:
    • Complete full-scale 3D Mockups and off-site power/AV testing; sign-off mock-up with client.
    • Confirm staged delivery windows and marshalling sequencing with DEC.
  • T‑2 weeks:
    • Send final RAMS/shop drawings to DEC; confirm customs arrival windows and produce backup paperwork for serial numbers.
    • Lock-in onsite installation team and equipment list; confirm three-phase/24-hour power allocations.

FAQ

Q: Do I need an ATA Carnet for medical devices at WHX 2026?

A: Yes — if you plan temporary importation. Ensure the ATA Carnet or formal temporary-import paperwork lists exact serial numbers. Missing or mismatched numbers are a leading cause of customs holds.

Q: When must RAMS and shop drawings be submitted?

A: Typically 3–6 weeks before build. DEC/DWTC enforce English-language, certified documents. Burdak produces DEC/DWTC-ready RAMS and shop drawings as part of our pre‑assembly service.

Q: What happens if power or rigging orders are late?

A: Late orders often incur 10–30% surcharges and may not be delivered on time. Heavy imaging equipment requires three-phase and 24‑hour power ordered inside AD/DEC windows to avoid circuit failures on-site.

Q: How much time does factory pre-assembly save?

A: Our records show full-scale pre-assembly and mock-ups cut on-site build time by approximately 40–60%, and materially reduce remediation events and show interruptions.

For complex demos at WHX 2026, we recommend early engagement. We provide in‑house fabrication, CNC precision joinery, 3D Mockups and end-to-end customs/MOHAP liaison to deliver compliant, show-ready medical demonstrations. Contact Burdak to convert your demo risk into a predictable delivery.

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