The Dubai of 2025 is unrecognisable to the one I last visited in 2010. Back then, the population was around 1.86 million; now it’s more than double that at 3.9 million and counting. The city has developed at an unprecedented pace. It’s as though Dubai ages in dog years, packing a decade’s worth of progress into just one.
Over the past decade Dubai’s excellent connectivity, vast choice of accommodation and extensive venue options has solidified its position as a top-tier global events destination making it a go-to location for conferences and congress. In January DBE reported a 20% year-on-year increase in successful bids for major events in 2024. But it’s not just Dubai’s infrastructure that has driven its success in the MICE sector.
One of the defining moments in Dubai’s rise as a global events hub, was its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While much of the world was grappling with restrictions and uncertainty, the UAE’s swift response meant it was able to open its doors to international visitors much quicker than other destinations, making it the natural choice for events that couldn’t be hosted elsewhere. This was particularly true for events from Southeast Asia, where many destinations were still under heavy restrictions.
Diego Cortese, Vice President of Venue Commercial at Dubai World Trade Centre, explains:
“Dubai’s impressive recovery in the events industry after the challenges of the pandemic is a testament to its resilience. The successful hosting of Expo 2020 Dubai reinforced its position as a world-leading events destination. In the aftermath of COVID-19, Dubai captured a significant share of the market, attracting events from Southeast Asia that couldn’t be hosted there. As one of the few destinations open for business at the time, it became a natural choice. From there, the momentum continued, strengthening Dubai’s reputation and expanding its share of the global events market.”
Dubai’s future growth & the D33 Agenda
Dubai’s vision for future growth is embodied in the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. Announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in January 2023, the D33 Agenda aims to double the UAE’s economy over the next decade by focusing on enhancing the city’s competitiveness through innovation, sustainability, and diversification.
Business events play a pivotal role in this vision. As Karina Lance, Associate Vice President of Dubai Business Events, part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and Executive Board Member at DAC, explains: “Business events don’t just bring an economic impact in the moment. They help develop a more knowledge-based economy, creating collaborations, joint ventures, and research opportunities.”
By actively attracting international conferences and association congress, Dubai not only boosts tourism but also strengthens key industries such as finance, healthcare, technology, and logistics – sectors central to the D33 strategy. But Dubai’s approach goes beyond simply hosting events. It recognises that attracting international organisations and associations is about creating an environment where they can grow, network and thrive.
This is where the Dubai Associations Centre (DAC) comes in. Established in 2014, DAC supports non-profit, professional, and trade bodies in setting up operations in the region. The centre offers licensing support, office space, and networking opportunities through partnerships with Dubai Chambers, the Dubai World Trade Centre, and Dubai Business Events. To date, it has attracted over 75 international associations spanning diverse sectors such as healthcare, trade, and professional services.
Infrastructure update
For association leaders, perhaps the most exciting developments are unfolding at Expo City Dubai, the former site of Expo 2020. The Dubai Exhibition Centre’s extension will be delivered in three phases. By 2031, it will become the largest purpose-built indoor event venue in the Middle East and North Africa, spanning over 1.2 million sqm and with the capacity to welcome over 65,000 visitors at a single event.
Expo City itself offers a variety of event spaces, from the Al Wasl Plaza with its stunning trellis framework canopy (capacity 3,000 standing, 820 seated) to the net-zero Terra with its 130-seater auditorium and a 275-capacity terrace.
The nearby Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) is well on its way to becoming the world’s largest airport. Initially opened in 2010 for cargo and expanding to accommodate passenger flights in 2013, it’s set to be five times the size of Dubai International Airport (DXB). Once fully operational, it will serve as Dubai’s main airport, welcoming an estimated 260 million passengers annually.
Etihad Rail has unveiled plans to strengthen Dubai’s connectivity even further, with a high-speed rail link between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Once completed, the journey between the two cities will take just 30 minutes.
Cultural attractions also double up as venues. The Museum of the Future – a striking torus-shaped building that opened in 2022 – features windows inscribed with a poem about the future, written by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The top-floor event space can accommodate up to 400 guests in a theatre-style setup.
No trip to Dubai would be complete without a visit to Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. The Lounge on levels 152-154 provides a luxury viewing and dining experience for guests.
The opening of Atlantis The Royal on Palm Jumeirah in 2023 brought a new luxury venue, with a ballroom that can host up to 1,000 guests.
Beyond business, Dubai’s Emirati culture remains a major draw. From Platinum Heritage’s Arabian desert safaris to the immersive La Perle show, the city offers unique cultural experiences. The Al Shindagha Museum celebrates the region’s heritage, while the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding provides visitors with a deeper understanding of the UAE’s culture and customs.
Beyond events: the value for associations
The benefits of Dubai’s association-friendly environment are clear when you hear the success stories of organisations like the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), which has had a regional office in Dubai since 2003. Dureshewar Zaeem, UITP’s Middle East and North Africa (MENA) office manager, credits DAC with simplifying the process of operating in the region: “As a DAC member, we have an official license, which allows us to open a bank account, hire staff, and issue visas. Before, we had to rely on the authority hosting us, which made even basic administrative tasks complex. Now, we can operate independently, giving us much more flexibility,” she says.
Beyond operational ease, Dureshewar emphasises the value of DAC’s networking opportunities, particularly the association roundtables, where industry connections have translated into real-world collaborations. “We met the MENA Gas Association at a roundtable, which led to a joint training session on hydrogen as a transport fuel for RTA [Road and Transport Authority],” she shares.
Similarly, the Arab Resuscitation Council (ArRC) has benefited from DAC’s support in formalising its operations in Dubai. Its President, Zehra’ Al-Hilali, highlights that registration with DAC brings numerous advantages, including the ability to “run, open a bank account, and rent an office” in the region. She emphasises the efficiency of the system, noting that once the council was registered, they were able to quickly organise their first conference in 2023.
Zehra’ praises Dubai’s conference infrastructure, stating that “the system, the policies and support to run a conference in Dubai is one of the best”. Additionally, being a DAC member opens up avenues for collaboration and widespread promotion, as Zehra’ mentions, “DAC, the tourism board, and all the events websites shared our conferences”.
Dubai’s knowledge sectors
While Dubai is best known for its expertise in sectors like logistics, construction, and finance, there are other lesser-known knowledge clusters quietly making a name for themselves. One of these is space exploration, a field in which the UAE has made remarkable progress over the past few decades.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) is positioning itself as a global hub for aerospace innovation. Since its establishment in 2006, MBRSC has made significant strides in space exploration. The centre developed the UAE’s first Earth observation satellite in 2009 and, in 2019, made history by sending the first Emirati astronaut into space.
MBRSC’s vision extends beyond its own space programmes; it aims to contribute to the global space community and build a thriving space ecosystem. A notable step in this direction was the agreement signed in January to participate in the Lunar Gateway project – humanity’s first space station orbiting the moon.
The UAE’s commitment to space exploration is not only advancing scientific research, but also attracting international associations and events to the city. Adnan Al-Rais, Assistant Director General of Space Operations and Exploration at MBRSC, highlights the significance of these partnerships: “Bringing these events to the UAE is key for us to strengthen existing collaborations and establish new ones. Almost every year we have international conferences and events. This April, for example, we are hosting Geospatial Week 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. And in 2028, Dubai will welcome COSPAR, the world’s largest space research event, for the first time in the region.”
By cultivating an environment where industries can grow and thrive, Dubai offers association leaders not just a place to hold an event, but a chance to be part of something bigger. This blend of infrastructure, strategy, and vision is what has propelled Dubai into becoming a global events powerhouse and what will continue to drive its popularity in the years to come.
More on unlocking opportunities in Dubai: askdbe@dubaidet.ae / www.dubaibusinessevents.com