UAE’s Exhibitions Industry Boosts Economy And Global Influence
The UAE’s exhibitions and conferences industry continues to serve as a vital engine for economic growth. In recent years, the sector has rapidly evolved to align with the country’s strategic vision of building a diversified, sustainable, and knowledge-based economy. By attracting global participation and leveraging world-class infrastructure, the UAE has successfully positioned itself as a regional and international hub for major exhibitions and conferences.
Driving Economic Diversification and Global Competitiveness
In 2025, the UAE’s exhibitions and conferences sector sustained its upward trajectory, playing a pivotal role in economic diversification and supporting national ambitions for long-term development. The nation’s ability to organize and host high-level international events not only stimulates direct economic gains but also fosters cross-sector collaboration, tourism growth, innovation exchange, and international business partnerships.
This progress reflects a broader strategy to reduce reliance on traditional sectors such as oil and gas, with events and business tourism becoming an increasingly significant component of non-oil GDP. Supported by cutting-edge facilities, robust logistics, and strategic geographic positioning, the UAE has become one of the most attractive destinations for global event organizers.
ADNEC Group’s Record Contribution to National GDP
The Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC Group) made a remarkable impact on the national economy in 2024. According to official data, ADNEC contributed AED 8.5 billion directly to the UAE’s GDP — a notable increase from AED 7.4 billion in 2023. This growth underscores the expanding economic significance of the events industry across the country.
The group’s portfolio of venues, which includes the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Ain Convention Centre, and even Excel London in the UK, hosted more than 1,000 events in 2024. These events collectively welcomed a record-breaking 5.4 million visitors — the highest in ADNEC’s history. These numbers not only reflect the popularity of the venues but also the effectiveness of ADNEC’s business model and outreach.
Capital Events and Capital Hospitality Achieve Major Milestones
Capital Events, the event management division of ADNEC, reported strong outcomes in 2024, generating AED 10 billion in business deals through various exhibitions. Simultaneously, the group’s hospitality arm hosted over 1.5 million hotel guests and managed approximately 2,200 events, ranging from private meetings to large public gatherings.
Among its achievements, Capital Hospitality served over 40 million meals across 45 locations in the UAE. One of the most significant highlights was organizing one of the region’s largest public iftars during Ramadan, catering to nearly 8,000 guests. These initiatives demonstrate the group’s capacity not only to manage large volumes but also to contribute to the UAE’s social and cultural landscape.
Dubai World Trade Centre’s Economic Impact and Expansion
The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) also reported exceptional performance during 2024. With a 32% year-on-year increase in events, DWTC hosted 100 major international exhibitions, conferences, and global association meetings. These events attracted more than 2 million attendees, including 936,000 international visitors — a strong indicator of Dubai’s growing reputation as a global business tourism hotspot.
According to DWTC’s economic impact report, the total economic output generated reached AED 22.35 billion, with AED 13.04 billion retained within Dubai’s local GDP. These figures reflect the dynamic nature of Dubai’s events ecosystem, which benefits sectors ranging from hospitality and transportation to technology and creative services.
DWTC’s achievements coincide with the initiation of its expansion project, set to be completed in 2026. This development aims to further increase the capacity of the venue, enabling Dubai to host even larger global events and reinforce its innovation-driven economy.
Employment Generation and Broader Economic Multiplier Effect
The growing events sector also provides a strong boost to employment and local service industries. In 2024, DWTC’s events are estimated to have supported more than 85,000 jobs across the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) ecosystem and related sectors. The increase in international participation not only amplified Dubai’s international profile but also helped to drive a significant multiplier effect across the economy.
Data from DWTC shows that the 100 large-scale events held in 2024 contributed AED 2.9 billion in direct sales value. This spending was largely driven by expenditures on venue rentals, stand services, logistics, and various support services. Each dirham spent at these events is estimated to have generated AED 7.7 in economic output across other sectors — from hotels and restaurants to transportation and retail.
International Visitors Drive Spending and Global Exposure
Another major factor contributing to the sector’s impact is the spending behavior of international attendees. In 2024, overseas participants spent an average of AED 9,833 per event, significantly higher than the AED 1,673 spent by domestic attendees. This discrepancy highlights the value of attracting global audiences and reinforces the need to continue investing in business tourism.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region accounted for 32% of international attendees at DWTC events, followed by Europe (27%), Asia Pacific (10%), East Europe and Central Asia (10%), the Indian subcontinent (10%), Africa (6%), the Americas (5%), and Oceania (1%). These figures illustrate the broad global appeal of Dubai’s event offerings and its ability to bring together diverse international communities.
Expo Centre Sharjah Strengthens National Industry Contribution
The Expo Centre Sharjah (ECS) has also played a key role in advancing the UAE’s exhibitions sector. In line with national goals for economic diversification and sustainable development, ECS continues to expand its event calendar and reach.
In 2025, ECS is set to host a diverse lineup of specialized exhibitions, focusing on sectors like smart transportation, industrial innovation, healthcare, perfumery, and jewelry. These events support not only commercial objectives but also cultural and educational development, further embedding the exhibitions industry within the broader framework of national progress.
By emphasizing niche industries and fostering knowledge exchange, ECS helps support SMEs, promote innovation, and connect local businesses with international stakeholders — all essential components of a future-ready economy.
Supporting National Vision Through Strategic Event Hosting
The consistent achievements of ADNEC, DWTC, and ECS reflect the UAE’s holistic approach to using the exhibitions and conferences industry as a tool for growth. These institutions serve as platforms for international collaboration, trade, and cultural dialogue, contributing to both the economic and soft power dimensions of the UAE’s global presence.
The strong infrastructure, advanced logistics, and robust hospitality sector further enhance the country’s ability to accommodate large numbers of international visitors and deliver high-quality experiences. This synergy supports the UAE’s broader vision of becoming a regional leader in sustainable economic growth and global cooperation.
A Resilient and Expanding Sector
The exhibitions and conferences industry in the UAE continues to demonstrate resilience, innovation, and strategic growth. With billions contributed to national GDP, tens of thousands of jobs supported, and millions of global attendees welcomed, the sector represents a cornerstone of the UAE’s non-oil economy.
As the country pushes forward with large-scale projects, infrastructure upgrades, and global outreach strategies, the exhibitions industry will remain central to its ambitions. Whether through fostering innovation, enhancing tourism, or facilitating international dialogue, the UAE’s role as a global hub for exhibitions and conferences is only expected to grow in significance.
With continued investment, strong leadership, and a vision rooted in sustainability and global relevance, the UAE’s exhibitions industry is set to remain a powerful force for national growth and international influence.
