Dubai secures record number of business events in 2024

Dubai has reaffirmed its status as one of the world’s leading destinations for business events, securing a record 437 international conferences, congresses, corporate meetings, and incentive events in 2024.

This achievement reflects a 20% year-on-year (YoY) increase in successful bids, reinforcing Dubai’s status as the region’s top MICE destination and one of the fastest-growing event hubs worldwide.

Rapid increase in delegate numbers

According to Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau, these events are expected to attract over 210,000 delegates in the coming years, delivering a significant boost to Dubai’s tourism and hospitality sectors.

Discussing the achievement, Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, said Dubai’s success was a testament to its “world-class business events infrastructure and capabilities” that deliver “unrivalled, memorable experiences for organisers and delegates”.

“Furthermore, it highlights Dubai’s status as a knowledge hub, with associations and businesses benefitting from expertise and innovation in the city and also contributing to its continued development. To build on this momentum, we are engaging with all stakeholders, trusted partners and service providers, to elevate Dubai’s position as a leader in the competitive business events landscape – aiming for sustainable economic growth, in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.”

New international events

Key wins for Dubai in 2024 include the 2025 WFNS World Congress of Neurosurgery (4,000 delegates), the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit & Mayor Summit (1,200 delegates), the 2026 Global Symposium on Health System Research (3,000 delegates), and the 2028 Scientific Assembly and Associated Events of the Committee on Space Research (3,000 delegates). In addition, Dubai has secured major corporate and incentive events, such as the 2026 Forever Living Global Rally (12,000 delegates) and the 2026 Emerson Exchange (2,500 delegates).

In another milestone, Dubai recently topped the International Congress and Convention Association’s (ICCA) rankings for the Middle East, with the emirate being recognised as the ‘Top Meeting Destination in the Middle East and Africa’.