DWTC–INFORMA PARTNERSHIP POSITIONS DUBAI AS GLOBAL B2B EVENTS POWERHOUSE

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Informa have formalised a strategic partnership to launch inD, a new joint business that aims to scale Dubai’s global B2B live events ecosystem and accelerate international growth.

First announced in March 2025, inD combines DWTC’s portfolio of globally recognised B2B event intellectual property with Informa’s international reach, operational expertise and digital capabilities. The partnership is designed to expand across the UAE, the wider super-region and international markets, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leading global hub for B2B live events, knowledge exchange and innovation.

The inD portfolio brings together more than 40 flagship B2B brands across high-growth sectors including healthcare (WHX), energy (Middle East Energy), aviation (Dubai Airshow), food and beverage (Gulfood), information and communications technology (GITEX Global), and information security (GISEC).

Together, these brands are projected to generate more than $650m in revenues in 2026, supported by a strong pipeline of forward growth as global demand for large-scale, high-impact B2B live experiences continues to rise.

B2B live events play a central role in convening industries, policymakers and decision-makers, enabling innovation, market access and long-term investment. The formation of inD comes at a strategically important time as Dubai significantly expands its world-class event infrastructure. The Dubai Exhibition Centre expansion, scheduled for completion in 2026, will add 140,000 square metres of exhibition space, further strengthening the emirate’s position as one of the world’s most dynamic markets for B2B live events.

Read: Dubai World Trade Centre to host 71 events in H1 2026

The first inD-branded event to take place in 2026 will be Gulfood, scheduled from 26–30 January. For the first time, the event will be hosted at unprecedented scale across DWTC’s two flagship venues — the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre (DICEC) and Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC). Gulfood 2026 is expected to welcome more than 8,500 exhibitors, showcasing over 1.5 million products from 195 countries.

This will be followed by WHX Dubai (9–12 February) and WHX Labs Dubai (10–13 February), which will run concurrently across both venues for the first time. Together, the events are expected to host more than 4,800 exhibitors and attract over 270,000 healthcare professionals from more than 180 countries.

Commenting on the partnership, Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre, said: “Dubai has long been the world’s leading destination for global business events. This partnership now elevates that position further by transforming Dubai into an IP and knowledge hub that not only accelerates international growth opportunities for DWTC’s flagship brands but also strengthens Dubai’s long-term GDP impact, further cementing its role as a leading global player in B2B events. Together with Informa, we are building a platform for sustained growth, innovation and global reach.”

Stephen A. Carter, CEO of Informa Group

Stephen A. Carter, CEO of Informa Group, added: “The creation of inD deepens our partnership with DWTC at a time of structural growth for our industry, strong economic growth across the region, and dynamic market growth in the UAE in particular, as the supply of high quality venue space increases to meet growing demand for B2B Live Events.”

2026-01-20T11:39:40Z