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Post by : Badri Ariffin
Dubai Business Events, representing the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, led the city's presence at IMEX Frankfurt 2026 from May 19 to 21, alongside 20 partners from the local business events scene.
Key participants in Dubai's delegation included prominent entities such as the Dubai World Trade Centre, Coca-Cola Arena, Museum of the Future, and JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, along with various destination management firms, hotels, and venues.
Reinforcing its stature as a premier global business events hub, Dubai received top rankings from the International Congress and Convention Association. The city ranked first globally for the highest attendee numbers per association conference in 2025 and led the Middle East in the number of association conferences held.
Additionally, Dubai earned the distinction of being the top choice among the Top 25 Meeting Destinations in the Middle East and Africa as reported by Cvent.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, remarked that business events are crucial for the emirate’s long-term economic growth, fostering tourism, knowledge sharing, industry collaboration, and global partnerships.
He noted that the emirate’s engagement at IMEX Frankfurt demonstrates Dubai’s dedication to luring international conferences and exhibitions that provide enduring benefits for various sectors, aligning with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision.
The theme of this year's IMEX Frankfurt, “Design Matters,” resonated with Dubai’s strategy of creating impactful business events that not only cater to attendees but also promote innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth.
The city’s strategy aims to bolster venue infrastructure, enhance accessibility, elevate service standards, and forge partnerships across sectors. IMEX Frankfurt continues to serve as a vital international platform for Dubai to connect with global industry leaders and organizations such as the International Association of Professional Congress Organizers and Best Cities Global Alliance.
In 2025, Dubai Business Events experienced significant growth with 747 bids submitted and 504 events successfully secured through 2029, reflecting a 15 percent surge compared to 2024. The confirmed events are set to draw over 272,000 delegates, marking a 29 percent year-on-year increase in visitor numbers.
The city also supported 481 business events in 2025, an increase from 429 events in 2024.
Notable international achievements for Dubai include the SIBOS 2029, expected to attract 12,000 delegates, SPE ATCE Annual Congress 2028 with 8,000 delegates, Apimondia 2027 bringing 5,000 delegates, and the World Engineers Congress 2027 with an expected attendance of 3,000 delegates.
Overall, Dubai’s involvement at IMEX Frankfurt underscores its ongoing efforts to draw major global conferences and affirm its place as a top destination for business events and MICE tourism.
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