DWTC, Informa Group partner to create global MICE entity

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Informa Group have joined forces to create a global leader in exhibitions and event management, headquartered in Dubai.

Informa Group, an FTSE-100 company, has been operating in the UAE for over 25 years, specialising in B2B events, digital services, and academic markets.

DWTC owns and operates two major venues in Dubai: the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) and the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC).

The new joint venture, Informa International, will be fully operational by Q4 this year and focus on the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa regions, with ambitions to expand globally.

This strategic partnership brings together two industry giants with complementary assets and capabilities, creating a powerhouse with over $700m in revenue.

Informa International will encompass a portfolio of more than 40 market-leading brands, including Gulfood, GITEX, GISEC, WHX, Middle East Energy, and the Dubai Airshow.

“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,” said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai World Trade Centre Authority.

DWTC-Informa entity to strengthen Dubai’s position as a MICE hub

The venture aims to:

•  Combine DWTC and Informa’s events businesses in Dubai and connected markets, creating a market leader with significant scale and growth potential.
• Leverage the combined strengths of both entities to export homegrown megabrands to high-growth markets across the Indian Subcontinent, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.
• Attract marquee events from Informa’s 100+ specialist brands to Dubai, supporting the city’s economic agenda and leveraging new venue infrastructure coming online in 2026.

“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 and special together in what is a highly vibrant and fast-growing market,” said Stephen A Carter, group CEO of Informa.

This partnership aligns with DWTC‘s commitment to tripling Dubai’s MICE sector GDP contribution to Dhs54bn annually by 2033, as outlined in the D33 Dubai Economic Agenda.

Read: DWTC execs reveal ambitious plans for Dubai Exhibition Centre