Dubai’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry is set for a major transformation as the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Informa Group announce a strategic joint venture. This collaboration aims to create a global leader in exhibitions and event management, headquartered in Dubai.
A Strategic Partnership for Global Expansion
The new entity, Informa International, will be fully operational by Q4 this year and will focus on the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa regions, with further global expansion in sight.
• DWTC owns and operates Dubai’s two major event venues:
• Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC)
• Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC)
• Informa Group, an FTSE-100 company, has been in the UAE for over 25 years, specializing in B2B events, digital services, and academic markets.
The joint venture will bring together the strengths of both organizations, creating a powerhouse with over $700 million in revenue.
Informa International’s Portfolio of Mega Events
With a portfolio of over 40 market-leading brands, Informa International will oversee some of the world’s most prominent business and trade events, including:
• Gulfood (World’s largest annual food & beverage trade exhibition)
• GITEX (Leading tech event in the Middle East)
• GISEC (Cybersecurity event)
• Middle East Energy (Power & energy sector trade show)
• Dubai Airshow (One of the largest aviation trade shows globally)
Strengthening Dubai’s Position as a Global MICE Hub
The partnership between DWTC and Informa Group is a game-changer for Dubai’s event industry, with key objectives including:
• Combining DWTC and Informa’s event businesses in Dubai and beyond to create a market leader with unmatched scale and growth potential.
• Expanding homegrown events into high-growth international markets across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.
• Attracting world-class exhibitions from Informa’s 100+ specialist brands to Dubai, supporting the city’s economy.
• Utilizing new venue infrastructure launching in 2026 to host bigger and better events.
A Milestone for Dubai’s Economic Growth
This partnership aligns with Dubai’s D33 Economic Agenda, which aims to triple the MICE sector’s GDP contribution to Dhs54 billion annually by 2033.
Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, emphasized:
“This strategic partnership is set to be a transformation engine for cross-border trade and enterprise, co-creating sustainable value for the industries and economies served through the convening power of B2B events.”
Stephen A. Carter, Group CEO of Informa, added:
“We already have a great partnership with DWTC. This announcement will further expand our relationship, allowing us to create something unique in a highly vibrant and fast-growing market.”
Conclusion
With DWTC and Informa joining forces, Dubai is poised to strengthen its reputation as a global exhibition and events hub. This joint venture will enhance trade, attract world-class events, and drive economic growth, solidifying the emirate’s role as a leader in the MICE industry.
