Credit By: DUBAI MESIA
Dubai’s reputation as a top meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) destination grew significantly year over year by 44% in the first half of 2023, further enhancing the city’s status. According to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 objectives, the city’s economy is growing even more due to the remarkable increase in the number of international events it hosts.
In the first half of 2023, Dubai Business Events (DBE), the official convention bureau for the city and a division of the Department of Economy and Tourism, collaborated with partners and stakeholders to secure 143 conferences, congresses, meetings, and incentives. 94,000 additional visitors are anticipated to the city due to these events, including world authorities and pioneers in their respective professions. These events will take place in the upcoming years.
The increase in event victories is proof of the recent dynamic expansion seen in Dubai’s commercial events industry and the country’s overall economy. Twenty-four association conferences, congresses, and meetings were recorded, and they are expected to help Dubai’s knowledge economy advance. The city received 84 incentives due to continued momentum in India and renewed expansion in China.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, stated: “Our focus on capturing business events that add value to the city continues to deliver strong results. We are guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. Global meeting professionals and decision-makers are responding favorably to Dubai’s strong pitch based on world-class business events infrastructure and facilities, expertise across all critical sectors, and an expanding knowledge economy.
“Every successful bid is a monument to the culture of cooperation that has seen DBE collaborate with critical public and private sector organizations across the city to discover, bid for, and capture significant commercial events. Our partners demonstrate a solid commitment to working with DBE on bid activity because they recognize the impact that hosting business events can have by bringing significant associations and organizations to the city and positioning it at the center of global advancements in their particular fields of expertise.
The Dubai Economic Agenda D33, unveiled earlier this year, has set forth several audacious goals to increase trade, expand essential industries, and foster innovation and sustainability throughout the economy. Business events are expected to play a significant role at the junction of business and knowledge development, as well as contribute to an incremental increase in visitor numbers, to secure Dubai’s position as one of the top three cities in the world. In addition, making Dubai a global hub for higher education and expanding FDI inflows are important D33 goals.
Ahmed Al Khaja added, “We expect Dubai’s business events sector to drive and contribute to economic growth, bringing additional focus and expertise to the city and generating new business and knowledge development opportunities. D33 has set lofty goals for the next ten years. The corporate events industry in Dubai will benefit as essential sectors and industries improve, and more foreign associations and organizations are anticipated to seize the chance to participate in this growth story.
IATA AGM 2024, World Library and Information Congress 2024, Critical Communication World 2024, Million Dollar Round Table Global Conference 2024, and International Trademark Association’s Annual Meeting 2026 are among the association events that will take place in Dubai in the years to come as a result of successful bids in H1 2023. Cardano Summit 2023, Perfect China Incentive 2023, WCAworld Annual Conference 2024, Brand Experience World 2024, and Nu Skin Global Team Elite Incentive 2024 are important business gatherings and incentives coming to Dubai.
DBE’s teamwork has been essential in securing bids for these renowned events. DBE developed a compelling offer for event organizers by collaborating with its network of business events stakeholders throughout the city, including hotels, airlines, venues, expert congress organizers, and destination management firms. The Al Safeer Congress Ambassador Programme, a unique initiative that taps the knowledge and initiative of professionals and business leaders in critical sectors and industries, further exemplifies DBE’s dedication to cooperation. This program identifies, bids for, and seizes significant international business events.
In the first half of the year, DBE’s year-round engagement initiatives in the emirate and worldwide significantly increased Dubai’s appeal among conference organizers, association executives, and essential decision-makers. The DBE team conducted sales missions throughout Europe, North America, and China in collaboration with its offices in crucial source regions and with assistance from business events stakeholders. Additionally, DBE organized international research tours for conference organizers to explore Dubai’s unique capabilities firsthand.
