With its diverse portfolio of world-leading infrastructure, iconic hotels, state-of-the-art event venues and unrivalled cultural offerings, Abu Dhabi is a thriving and dynamic business and events hub. The UAE capital has become a destination of choice for high-profile organisations looking to not only achieve their event objectives but provide their delegates with truly unique and unforgettable experiences, both during and out of business hours. So it comes as no surprise that Abu Dhabi was recently named the top Middle East City for Association Meetings in 2022 by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), a testament to both Abu Dhabi’s unmatched offering and collective efforts from the Abu Dhabi MICE sector in attracting business events and growing the emirate’s appeal as a destination of distinction for meetings, events and incentive travel.
A destination of choice
Abu Dhabi’s innovative and knowledge-based economy, supported by a robust digital-first infrastructure, has seen the emirate swiftly grow its pipeline of world-renowned international meetings and business events. 
With strength in financial services, aerospace, healthcare and academia, Abu Dhabi is at the forefront of research and development across a broad spectrum of sectors. Its growing knowledge economy and forward-focused ecosystem across both public and private sectors add value for international associations and event organisers seeking to align themselves with local innovators and global leaders in a variety of industries. Abu Dhabi’s broad range of experiences and attractions mean there is something for everyone to discover at their own pace, from its world-class business venues and meeting facilities, renowned hospitality concepts and diverse F&B offerings, to attractions such as serene Al Ain, the inspiring Saadiyat Cultural District and the exhilarating Yas Island – all within close proximity to one another. This is a city conducive to mixing business with pleasure, making it an ideal choice for those looking to host memorable meetings, conferences and incentive trips. Getting your delegates to this highly accessible city couldn’t be easier, with Abu Dhabi International Airport acting as a base for more than 30 airlines flying to over 120 destinations. Add to this the fact that Numbeo has named Abu Dhabi the safest city in the world for the sixth year running, and the city’s appeal as a destination where people from all over the world can peacefully gather for both business and leisure is clear.
A range of unique event spaces
Abu Dhabi provides a range of venues, from high-end luxury to more modest spaces for those on a budget. The fit-for-purpose Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) offers an impressive 153,000sqm of event space. ADNEC also has six on-site hotels, with standards ranging from three to five stars, offering a total of 1,800 hotel rooms. Beyond ADNEC, visitors are spoilt for choice with meeting and accommodation options across a range of price points. For the ultimate memorable event experience, hold your event amid swaying palms in an ancient oasis, at a Formula One racetrack, or under Louvre Abu Dhabi’s iconic dome. 
A supportive and enriching environment
To attract international business events, ADCEB signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ADNEC Group earlier this year to launch a new fund to provide financial incentives and support to corporate meeting planners and incentive houses hosting events with over 500 pax in the destination. ADCEB’s existing MICE initiatives include Advantage Abu Dhabi Meetings & Incentives 2.0, an upgraded programme that stimulates MICE activities in Abu Dhabi, as well as the MICE Agencies Reward Scheme, targeting intermediaries such as agencies, planners and travel management companies with training, industry updates and the latest products. With support and incentives for organisers at every step of the planning stage, there’s never been a better time to convene business events in Abu Dhabi. 
A focus on sustainability
Sustainability is the topic of the day, and in line with the emirate’s vision to become a leading sustainable destination, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism is implementing innovative new initiatives to promote sustainability within the tourism industry and enable partners to apply sustainable practices. These include new sector-specific sustainability guidelines, a carbon calculator to estimate the carbon footprint of hotels in Abu Dhabi, and a sustainability audit for all hotels in the emirate – meaning organisers can be assured their event is making the right kind of impact.
A pipeline of significant wins
With all this going for it, Abu Dhabi is now the location of choice for an elite roster of business events and MICE groups, and further expansion of the city’s hosting capabilities is underway as the sector continually grows and more entities choose to invest there. A key event to be hosted in Abu Dhabi in October 2023 is the United Nations Conference on Trade and Investment – the 8th World Investment Forum. This forum aims to address key investment challenges caused by today’s multiple global crises, including the need to invest in food security, energy, health, supply chain resilience and productive capacity growth in the poorest countries. The following month, Abu Dhabi will host The Fortune Global Forum, an event hosted by the editors of Fortune magazine since 1995 in cities on the dynamic frontiers of global business. The forum’s first foray into the MENA region is set to create a valuable opportunity for CEOs of the world’s biggest multinational companies to engage in discussions that not only identify best practices but also offer a common roadmap that addresses complex global issues. 
Parallel to its growth in hosting high-profile international meetings, Abu Dhabi is also increasingly attracting the incentive travel reward market. This year-end, the emirate will welcome 3,000 Chinese participants from a world-renowned company for a high-end incentive programme. The dynamic roster of events continues next year when Abu Dhabi will welcome delegates to the 13th World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC13) and the inaugural edition of Abu Dhabi Healthcare Week. Looking further ahead, significant wins include IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025. The world’s largest conservation event is held every four years and convenes leaders from government, civil society, Indigenous peoples’ organisations, business and academia to determine and address the world’s most pressing environmental and development challenges. To learn more and to discover why you should join the ranks of these esteemed organisations and hold your next event in Abu Dhabi, head over the ADCEB website for more information.
