The emirate of Dubai cemented its role as a major international hub for business events in 2023: A record 349 Dubai Business Events (DBE) bids were received, a 49 percent increase on 2022. These contracts will attract more than 191,000 international delegates to the Gulf.
DBE’s strategy has recently focused on increasingly tailoring Dubai’s offering to the needs of the events industry. This has involved working with public and private stakeholders to convert interest into confirmed events. Bidding success has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with event planning extending into 2029.
Many high-level conferences in the coming years
The most notable events this year and in the coming years include Critical Communications World 2024, the WCA Worldwide Annual Conference 2024, the International Trademark Association’s Annual Meeting 2026 and the Million Dollar Round Table Global Conference 2024.
Partners from the hotel, venue and services sectors were also involved in all processes. They all aim to strengthen the emirate’s role as a top meetings and MICE destination in the Middle East. DBE’s role in the Dubai Association Centre and the Al Safeer Congress Ambassador Program further strengthened international associations’ relationships with Dubai.
The city’s accolades include being named the Middle East’s Leading Meetings and Conference Destination 2023 by the World Travel Awards.
“The events will bring business leaders, innovators and changemakers together in Dubai”
“Business events have consistently proved to be an important catalyst for the city’s development, driving knowledge growth and contributing the evolution of key sectors and industries. Dubai’s success in securing major international conferences, congresses, meetings and incentives in 2023 was a reward for the robust efforts of all stakeholders across the public and private sectors. The events captured and taking place over the coming years will bring business leaders, innovators and changemakers together in Dubai, with the whole city and emirate benefitting from our fast-growing knowledge economy, further contributing to our collective momentum”, said Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment.
