Dubai is strengthening its position as one of the world’s leading destinations for international business events after securing the opportunity to host 504 global business events across key economic sectors and professional fields over the coming four years.
Driven by Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau and part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the performance represents a 15 per cent year-on-year increase in successful bids, reinforcing Dubai’s competitiveness as a global business events hub aligned with long-term economic priorities.
The events secured during 2025 are expected to attract an estimated 272,262 delegates to Dubai through 2029, marking a 29 per cent increase compared to the 209,545 delegates secured in 2024.
Beyond delegate volumes, the pipeline is expected to generate direct economic impact across Dubai’s meetings, incentives and conferences segments, while bringing global expertise, talent and investment opportunities to the city.
Alongside future pipeline growth, Dubai hosted 481 DBE-supported business events in 2025, up from 429 in 2024, representing a 9 per cent year-on-year increase. These events were delivered as a direct result of DBE-led bids and further strengthened Dubai’s international and domestic business events calendar.
Business events in Dubai
Bid activity also accelerated, with 747 bids submitted in 2025 compared to 669 in 2024, an 11 per cent increase, reflecting sustained global demand for Dubai as a host destination.
Dubai’s continued success highlights the strength of its destination proposition and the coordinated efforts of public and private sector stakeholders. It also underscores the growing contribution of business events to the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, supporting the city’s ambition to consolidate its position as a leading global city for business and leisure.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, said: “Guided by the vision of our leadership, business events continue to play a pivotal role in supporting Dubai’s economic growth, knowledge economy, and global positioning.
“The strong performance delivered in 2025 reflects the confidence international associations, corporates and incentive planners place in Dubai as a destination that consistently delivers excellence, scale and impact.
“As we look ahead to 2026, we remain focused on deepening collaboration with our partners and stakeholders alike, elevate Dubai’s standing in the global business events landscape, in line with the ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, and to create long-term value for the city, organisers and delegates alike.”
Dubai secured a number of future-facing global congresses across high-value knowledge sectors, including World Engineers Congress 2027 (3,000 delegates), Apimondia 2027 (5,000 delegates), SICOT World Congress 2027 (2,700 delegates), World Congress of Intensive and Critical Care 2028 (4,500 delegates), SPE ATCE Annual Congress 2028 (8,000 delegates), and World Ophthalmology Congress 2028 (12,000 delegates).
A significant industry win was the Annual SWIFT Conference and Exhibition – SIBOS 2029, one of the world’s leading financial services events, expected to welcome 12,000 delegates to Dubai.
Global engagement
The city also strengthened its position across corporate and incentive segments, securing major global programmes such as The Africa Energy Forum 2026 (2,000 delegates), UNLEASH Middle East 2026 (2,000 delegates), and the Herbalife India President Retreat 2026 (2,500 delegates).
To sustain momentum, DBE maintained an active international engagement programme throughout 2025, participating in major industry platforms including IMEX Frankfurt and America, IBTM Barcelona and IBTM World, alongside a year-round programme of sales and study missions across priority markets.
Strategic initiatives such as the Al Safeer Congress Ambassador Programme continued to mobilise UAE-based subject-matter experts to attract international congresses, supported by partnerships with global industry bodies including BestCities Global Alliance, IAPCO, ASAE and ICCA.
Dubai’s performance builds on continued global recognition, including being ranked number one globally for average attendance per association meeting and number one in the Middle East and Africa for meetings hosted by ICCA and Cvent.
The city also ranked fourth in the IMD Smart City Index 2025, while record air connectivity at Dubai International Airport, which recorded its busiest half-year on record in H1 2025, further reinforced Dubai’s appeal for international business events.
As Dubai enters 2026 with a robust forward pipeline already secured, the city remains positioned to drive sustained economic impact, global visibility and long-term knowledge-led growth through its business events strategy.
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