Dubai tops global association meeting attendance amid strong presence at IMEX 2025
Over 400 major international event bids secured for coming years
DUBAI has secured its position as a world leader in hosting international association meetings, topping global attendance figures for 2024.
The city continues to cement its role as a premier business events destination, as highlighted by its prominent participation at IMEX Frankfurt 2025, one of the world’s leading trade shows for the meetings industry.
Dubai’s vibrant MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) sector was showcased by a robust delegation, underscoring the emirate’s outstanding event infrastructure and strategic global partnerships.
Global recognition
The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has named Dubai the number one city worldwide for the highest number of attendees per association meeting in 2024.
In addition, Dubai retained its top spot across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region for the total number of association meetings hosted.
In parallel, Cvent’s latest rankings affirm Dubai as the leading meetings destination in the Middle East and Africa, highlighting the city’s comprehensive capabilities in delivering successful international gatherings. This dual acclaim from ICCA and Cvent reflects Dubai’s capacity not only to host prolific events but also to support growth and expansion for associations on the global stage.
Dubai at IMEX 2025
At IMEX Frankfurt (20–22 May), Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau, spearheaded Dubai’s representation with a delegation of 30 key stakeholders. These included prominent hotels, venues, destination management companies (DMCs), airlines such as Emirates, Expo City Dubai, and Dubai World Trade Centre. The group collectively promotes Dubai’s world-class facilities, innovation-driven event experiences, and commitment to sustainable growth.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), emphasised the city’s strategic position: “Our consistent top rankings and growing portfolio of major events result from a collaborative approach with stakeholders. Business events are integral to Dubai’s tourism and economic agenda, driving progress and supporting the vision to become a future-ready global city.”
Record-breaking growth
Dubai’s momentum is underpinned by a record 437 successful bids won in 2024 to host international conferences, congresses, and incentive programmes – a 20% increase year-on-year. These events are projected to attract more than 210,000 delegates in the upcoming years, significantly benefiting the city’s tourism and business ecosystems.
High-profile upcoming events secured by Dubai include:
- Amway ESAN 2025
- 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums 2025
- Global Symposium on Health Systems Research 2026
- World Congress on Medical Informatics 2027
- ISAPS Olympiad World Congress 2027
- Forever Living Products Global Rally 2026
- Scientific Assembly and Associated Events of the Committee on Space Research 2028
- The International Conference on Computer Vision 2029
These bids reflect Dubai’s ability to attract and facilitate a diverse range of prestigious international gatherings.
Tourism and infrastructure
The emirate’s success is supported by strong tourism growth. In 2024, Dubai welcomed a record 18.72 million international overnight visitors, marking a 9% year-on-year increase. This upward trend continued into 2025, with 5.31 million visitors arriving in the first quarter, up 3% compared to Q1 2024. Business events contribute significantly to this influx, stimulating economic activity across multiple sectors and bolstering Dubai’s global profile.
To meet rising demand, Dubai is expanding the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai. This development, alongside the ongoing expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport, forms part of a broader strategic investment to enhance the city’s capacity for hosting larger, more complex events. These infrastructure upgrades reinforce Dubai’s status as a world-class destination for business tourism, ensuring long-term value and increased attendance.