Dubai won a record 349 bids to host international conferences, congresses, meetings, and incentive travel programmes in 2023, the destination has announced. Driven by Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau, the wins reflected a robust 49% increase in successful bids compared to 2022. These events captured in 2023 are set to attract over 191,000 international delegates. On the news Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai festivals and retail establishment, says: “Business events have consistently proved to be an important catalyst for the city’s development, driving knowledge growth and contributing to the evolution of key sectors and industries. “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.” Among the bids were association events such as:
- Critical Communications World 2024 with 3,800 delegates.
- The WCA Worldwide Annual Conference 2024, with 4,500 delegates.
- The International Trademark Association’s Annual Meeting 2026, with 10,000 delegates.
- The Million Dollar Round Table Global Conference 2024, with 10,000 delegates.
Going into 2024, DBE has announced that their year kicked off with a series of sales missions in target markets and upcoming participation in major trade shows, including IMEX Frankfurt, IMEX America and IBTM World. DBE is also working with industry stakeholders to host meeting planners in Dubai for a series of study missions that will allow them to experience Dubai’s business events and tourism infrastructure.
