Dubai named top destination for international meetings

Dubai has been named the top destination globally for meetings organised by international associations.

That's according to a new report published by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).

It ranked Dubai the top city in 2021 - both for the number of association meetings and estimated participants at these events.

Dubai was among the first destinations to resume in-person business events after the COVID-19 pandemic, opening itself to hosting international meetings and attendees as early as October 2020.

The city is showcasing its excellence in hosting business events at the 2022 edition of IMEX Frankfurt, the world’s leading meetings industry exhibition, with its largest ever delegation at the trade show.

The participation underlines Dubai’s position at the forefront of the global business event sector’s recovery and the strong interest from meeting planners across the world to explore the city’s offerings.

"We continue to work closely with international associations to ensure that Dubai can provide a platform for their business events and add momentum to the recoveries of the respective professions and industries they serve," said Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.

#Dubai named the number one destination globally for association meetings in 2021 by a report of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) published during the 2022 edition of IMEX Frankfurt. pic.twitter.com/pdW4EgOaqT

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 31, 2022

Helal Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism: #Dubai has rapidly emerged in the post-pandemic period as a host destination of choice for international associations and their major meetings, as well as the wider business events ecosystem. pic.twitter.com/M7Gnu5ADSB

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 31, 2022

A total of 32 co-exhibitors have joined Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau, at IMEX Frankfurt 2022, which runs from 31 May to 2 June.

Partners joining DBE at the event include Emirates, Jumeirah Group, Dubai World Trade Centre and Emaar Hospitality, as well as a wide range of other hotels, attractions and destination management companies (DMCs).

The combined teams from DBE and the co-exhibitors are expected to have over 500 client meetings at the newly-designed Dubai stand during the three-day show.

The global marketplace for the business events community, IMEX Frankfurt is taking place in person after a two-year hiatus amid the global pandemic, and is welcoming over 2,800 buyers from around the world – spanning agencies, corporates, independents and associations.