Business events continue to strengthen Dubai’s knowledge economy and contribute to tourism growth, with the city winning an impressive 175 bids in the first six months of 2024 to host events through 2024 and beyond. This marks a 24 percent increase compared to the same period last year, and these bid wins are expected to bring more than 92,000 delegates, enhancing the pipeline of attendees for business events over the coming years.
Prestigious international events secured in Dubai
The successful bids position the city to host several prestigious international conferences, congresses, and incentive meetings over the coming years, with an event win pipeline stretching into 2028. This achievement underscores the importance of business events to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy over the decade leading up to 2033 and reinforce its position among the world’s top three cities to visit, live and work in.
Dubai’s reputation as a leading business events hub
Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau, worked with stakeholders and industry experts to bid for and capture these marquee business events. Recent months have also seen further global recognition for Dubai’s status as a leading business events hub, with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) ranking Dubai the top city in the Middle East for the number of association meetings hosted in 2023, and Cvent ranking it number one in its ‘Top Meeting Destinations in the Middle East and Africa’.
Aligning with Dubai Economic Agenda D33
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, highlighted the critical role of business events in driving tourism and economic prosperity, as well as Dubai’s burgeoning status as a knowledge hub and center of expertise across key sectors. This is aligned with the ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which envisions Dubai as a leading destination for business and leisure, and the best city to visit, live and work in.
Dubai’s popularity as a destination for corporate and incentive events
The city’s popularity as a destination for corporate and incentive events continues to surge, thanks to its range of destination offerings, international hotels, world-class infrastructure and meetings facilities, and incredible accessibility. Events captured in the first half of the year include Modicare Advisors Incentive 2024, Vkusno i Tochka Convention 2024, World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit 2024, and OPPO Guangdong Mobile Communication Incentive 2025.
Dubai’s growing stature as a global association hub
Dubai’s growing stature as a global association hub and the rapid evolution of its knowledge economy and focus on innovation have also resulted in decision-makers choosing the city for their major gatherings. Moreover, conferences and congresses captured in the first half of the year include The International Cotton Association Conference 2025, IFHNOS Summit 2025, WC A World Annual Conference 2025, and Rhinology World Congress 2028.
Read more: Dubai retains position as leading destination for global business events
Continuous efforts to attract, support global business events
Additionally, through ongoing engagement, collaborations, and partnerships with industry stakeholders, DBE continues to attract the world’s most prestigious events and solidify Dubai’s position as a year-round global business events hub. In the first half of 2024, DBE successfully concluded several sales missions, participated in major trade shows, and hosted meeting planners in Dubai for study missions to showcase the city’s business events and tourism infrastructure, as well as its rapidly growing knowledge economy.
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