Dubai: Dubai Business Events (DBE), the official convention bureau of the city and a division of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), spearheaded Dubai’s participation at IMEX Frankfurt, which took place from 19th to 21st May.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Dubai delegation featured 20 co-exhibiting stakeholders and partners from the city’s business events sector, including prominent names like Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Coca-Cola Arena, the Museum of the Future, and JW Marriott Marquis. Dubai’s reputation as a premier business events destination was further solidified by earning the top rank from the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) for the highest number of attendees globally per association conference in 2025. The city also ranked first in the Middle East for the total number of association conferences hosted and secured the top spot among the Top 25 Meeting Destinations in the Middle East and Africa by Cvent.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), emphasized the significance of business events in supporting Dubai’s long-term economic growth. He stated that these events not only attract visitors but also facilitate knowledge exchange, sector engagement, and global connections. He highlighted IMEX Frankfurt as a crucial platform for engaging directly with international decision-makers and partners.
Al Khaja further noted that Dubai’s participation at IMEX Frankfurt aligns with the ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. The collective efforts of stakeholders and partners aim to attract events that provide enduring value for industries, institutions, talent, and the wider economy, driven by in-market expertise and innovation.
Dubai’s top rankings and active participation in global events underscore its growth strategy in the tourism and MICE sectors. In 2025, Dubai Business Events submitted 747 bids and secured 504 successful event wins scheduled through 2029, marking a 15 percent increase in bid wins compared to 2024. These events are expected to draw 272,262 delegates to Dubai, representing a 29 percent year-on-year increase in delegate numbers.
In addition, Dubai hosted 481 DBE-supported business events during the year, up from 429 in 2024. Major wins included the SWIFT Annual Conference and Exhibition SIBOS 2029, expected to welcome 12,000 delegates; the SPE ATCE Annual Congress 2028 with 8,000 delegates; Apimondia 2027 with 5,000 delegates; and the World Engineers Congress 2027 with 3,000 delegates.