Dubai secures three elite global congresses through 2029 to cement its event dominance
Dubai has secured its position as a leading global hub for major business events. The city will host three high-profile international congresses between 2027 and 2029. Recent rankings also confirm its dominance in the Middle East for large-scale conferences and exhibitions.
In 2025, Dubai topped the list of meeting destinations in the Middle East and Africa, according to Cvent. The city also ranked first in the region for the total number of association conferences held that year. Additionally, it led globally for average attendees per conference, as reported by the International Congress and Convention Association.
Dubai Business Events, under the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, played a key role in these achievements. The organisation led a delegation of 20 partners to bid for future events. Their efforts resulted in 504 successful bids for conferences and exhibitions scheduled through 2029. These events are expected to draw over 272,000 delegates to the city. Among the major wins, Dubai will host the World Engineers Congress in 2027. The following year, it will welcome the SPE ATCE Annual Congress. In 2029, the city will stage the SWIFT Annual Conference and Exhibition SIBOS. Ahmad Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, highlighted the importance of business events. He noted that they align with Dubai’s long-term economic goals and strengthen its global standing.
The upcoming congresses and exhibitions will bring thousands of professionals to Dubai over the next five years. The city’s strong performance in rankings and successful bids reinforces its reputation as a top destination for large-scale events. These developments are set to boost Dubai’s economy and international influence further.
