New Dubai-based Joint Venture Set to Yield Exponential Growth Opportunities
Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Informa Group have announced a strategic venture to create a truly global powerhouse in Exhibitions and Event Management, operating out of the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa regions. This partnership between two commercial equals with highly complementary assets and capabilities will culminate in the formation of a new company, Informa International, which is set to be fully operational by Q4 2025. Headquartered in Dubai, this entity will cater to super-regional MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) markets, leveraging its scale to export home-grown megabrands worldwide.
This move underlines DWTC’s commitment to tripling Dubai’s MICE sector GDP contribution to AED 54 billion annually by 2033, aligning with targets outlined in the D33 Dubai Economic Agenda. This effort aims to attract investments and enable cross-border trade through reputable B2B event platforms, reinforcing Dubai’s status as a global epicenter for business and enterprise.
Key Highlights of Informa International
- Market Leadership: Informa International will encompass exhibitions, conferences, professional training, and accreditation from both DWTC and Informa across Dubai and partner markets, targeting revenues exceeding $700 million.
- Double-Digit Growth Potential: The partnership is positioned to achieve substantial growth as it expands into high-growth markets beyond Dubai and the wider Middle East.
Strategic Objectives
- Global MICE Powerhouse: The new venture will own and operate over 40 market-leading brands in high-growth categories, including:
- Food (Gulfood)
- ICT (GITEX)
- Information Security (GISEC)
- Healthcare (WHX)
- Energy (Middle East Energy)
- Aviation (Dubai Airshow)
- Accelerated Global Expansion: The partnership will create additional scale and opportunities to export DWTC’s brands to dynamic global markets, including the Indian Subcontinent, Asia, Europe, and Africa.
- Dubai as a Global Business Hub: The initiative aims to attract marquee events from over 100 specialist Informa global brands, benefiting from significant venue infrastructure expected to be operational from 2026 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC).
Leadership Quotes
His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, stated: “DWTC has anchored and enabled Dubai’s leadership as a preferred global hub for the MICE Sector. This strategic partnership is set to be a transformation engine for cross-border trade and enterprise, co-creating sustainable value for the industries and economies served through the convening power of B2B Events.”
Stephen A. Carter, Group Chief Executive, Informa PLC, commented: “We already have a great partnership in Dubai with DWTC, and today’s announcement will further expand our relationship, allowing us to create something unique in a highly vibrant and fast-growing market.”
Informa Group, a FTSE-100 company and international market leader in Live B2B Events, has operated in the UAE for over 25 years, while DWTC has been a leader in B2B Events for more than four decades, owning and operating major venues like the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) and the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC).
