DWTC and Informa Group Partner to Establish a Groundbreaking Global MICE Industry Powerhouse

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Informa Group have announced a major new partnership to create a global leader in exhibitions and event management. This joint venture, named Informa International, will be fully operational by the last quarter of 2025 and will be based in Dubai. It aims to serve the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry across the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa while expanding the reach of Dubai’s top trade show brands to international markets.

This partnership aligns with DWTC’s goal of significantly boosting Dubai’s economy. It supports the city’s efforts to triple the MICE sector’s contribution to the economy, reaching AED 54 billion annually by 2033. It also strengthens Dubai’s position as a top global business hub, drawing more investments and trade opportunities through world-class business events.

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Informa International will manage exhibitions, conferences, professional training, and accreditation businesses from both DWTC and Informa across Dubai and other key markets. With expected annual revenues exceeding $700 million, the partnership aims for rapid growth beyond Dubai, tapping into high-potential markets worldwide.

Key objectives of this partnership include:

Creating a Global MICE Leader: The new company will combine DWTC’s established events with Informa’s expertise, bringing together more than 40 leading trade show brands. These include major exhibitions such as Gulfood (food industry), GITEX (technology), GISEC (cybersecurity), WHX (healthcare), Middle East Energy (energy), and Dubai Airshow (aviation).

Expanding to International Markets: The partnership will focus on expanding Dubai’s successful trade shows to key global markets such as India, Asia, Europe, and Africa, enhancing their influence and participation worldwide.

Strengthening Dubai as a Global Business Hub: The venture aims to attract more international events from Informa’s extensive portfolio of 100+ global brands. This aligns with Dubai’s economic strategy and its growing infrastructure, including the new Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), which will expand in 2026.

His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, emphasized Dubai’s leadership in the MICE sector. He stated, “DWTC has helped position Dubai as a global business hub, and with this partnership, we will create new opportunities for cross-border trade and enterprise. By combining our strong B2B event brands with Informa’s global expertise, we will drive the next stage of growth in this vital sector.”

Stephen A. Carter, Group Chief Executive of Informa PLC, highlighted the company’s strong presence in Dubai. He said, “We already have a great relationship with DWTC, and this new venture will allow us to create something truly unique in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.”

Informa Group, a leading FTSE-100 company, specializes in B2B events, digital services, and academic markets. With over 25 years of experience in the UAE, Informa has played a key role in shaping Dubai’s trade show industry. Meanwhile, DWTC has been a major player in the UAE’s business events sector for more than 40 years, operating key venues like the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) and the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC).

This strategic partnership will further boost Dubai’s reputation as a global business destination, ensuring that its exhibitions and trade events continue to set new benchmarks in the international MICE industry.