Dubai Secures 249 Business Events, Boosting Economy And Tourism

Photo: Dubai Government Media Office 

Dubai Business Events (DBE), the official convention bureau of the city, is making big achievements this year. In the first six months of 2025, DBE successfully won bids to host 249 business events. These events will be held between 2025 and 2029. This shows that Dubai is becoming an even stronger global destination for business meetings, international conferences, and incentive events.

Dubai's Big Growth Compared To Last Year

In the first half of 2025, Dubai saw a 29% increase in bid submissions compared to the same time last year. This means DBE submitted 391 bids this year, and out of these, 249 bids were won. The conversion rate has also improved from 58% last year to 64% this year. This is a big success for Dubai because it shows that more organisations around the world trust Dubai to host their important events.

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What Do These Events Bring To Dubai?

These confirmed events are expected to bring around 127,087 delegates to Dubai. This is a 35% increase in the number of delegates compared to last year. When so many delegates come to Dubai, they spend on hotels, food, transport, shopping, and sightseeing. This helps the economy grow and also creates more jobs for people living in Dubai.

Supporting The Dubai Economic Agenda D33

The Dubai Economic Agenda D33 is a plan to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033 and make it one of the top three cities in the world to visit, live, and work in. These business events will help in achieving this goal. The events include international conferences, congresses, and incentive meetings, and some events are even planned till 2029.

Who Helped In Winning These Bids?

DBE works closely with many stakeholders, partners, and local associations. One important group is the Al Safeer Congress Ambassadors. This group includes UAE-based key opinion leaders, government representatives, and industry professionals who help bring international business events to Dubai. Their efforts are making Dubai famous as the best place to hold meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions.

What Did The Leaders Say?

Ahmed Al Khaja, who is the CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said that Dubai's achievement shows its commitment to excellence, innovation, and collaboration. He said that Dubai has world-class infrastructure, is easily accessible, and understands market needs very well. He also said that Dubai will keep working to provide exceptional value to event organisers and delegates in the future.

Dubai’s International Promotion Efforts

To win these bids, DBE did many activities internationally. They conducted five sales missions across Asia in countries like China, Japan, South Korea, and India. They also visited Europe, including France and Belgium, and North America. They engaged over 50 stakeholders and partners during these missions. DBE also represented Dubai in important international trade shows such as IMEX Frankfurt in the first half of 2025. These efforts helped keep Dubai in the minds of global event organisers.

Global Rankings And Recognition

Dubai’s global status was also recognised by important international organisations this year. The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) ranked Dubai number one globally for the highest attendee number per association meeting. Dubai also kept its number one spot in the Middle East and Africa for hosting the most association meetings.

Cvent, a well-known meetings technology company, confirmed Dubai’s top position among the Top 25 Meeting Destinations in the region. These awards show that Dubai is trusted by event organisers worldwide and has the capacity to host big events smoothly.

Major Events Secured By Dubai

Some of the notable events that Dubai will host are:

• Sibos 2029: This event will bring around 12,000 delegates.

• 1st Conjoint Meeting of the Cervical Spine Research Society – Asia Pacific and Europe in 2027: Around 800 delegates are expected.

• World Congress on Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ISUOG) 2026: Around 2,000 delegates will attend.

• Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat International Conference 2026: Around 1,500 delegates will participate.

• International Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA) 2026: Around 1,000 delegates will attend.

Corporate And Incentive Events

In the corporate and incentive category, Dubai has won:

• Africa Energy Forum 2026: Expected 2,000 delegates.

• Herbalife Multiple Market Incentive: Will bring 2,400 delegates.

• Planisware Incentive: Will bring 1,300 delegates.

• Token2049 in 2026: This is a returning event with 15,000 delegates.

• Google Conferences: Google will host its flagship conferences in Dubai in 2026 and 2028, with 4,000 delegates each year.

Al Safeer Ambassador Programme’s Role

The Al Safeer Programme also played a big role in winning these events. During this period, they contributed to 51 ambassador-led bids, and out of these, 32 bids have been won till now.

How Is Dubai Preparing For These Events?

DBE continues to work closely with hotels, venues, Professional Congress Organisers (PCOs), Destination Management Companies (DMCs), and other service providers to prepare for these events. They also organise study missions and invite international meeting planners to visit Dubai. This way, organisers can see Dubai’s excellent infrastructure for business events and get confidence to host their meetings here.

Upcoming Participation In International Shows

In the coming months, DBE will take part in major international trade shows and events like Epex, IMEX Las Vegas, IBTM Barcelona, ICCA Middle East Summit in Bahrain, and the ICCA Global Congress in Porto. During these events, DBE and its partners will continue to promote Dubai as the best place for international business events.

Why Is This Important For Dubai?

Hosting international business events is not only about getting more tourists or making money from hotels and restaurants. These events also bring knowledge and innovation to the city. Delegates share their expertise, and students and professionals in Dubai get to learn from global leaders. This helps in building a stronger knowledge economy, which is a key part of Dubai’s future vision.

Dubai’s achievement of securing 249 business events in just six months of 2025 is a strong example of what can happen with planning, teamwork, and vision. With the support of its leadership, stakeholders, and programmes like Al Safeer, Dubai is moving closer to becoming one of the world’s top three cities to visit, live, and work in by 2033.