Dubai World Trade Centre and Informa Group have announced a strategic partnership to create a global powerhouse in Exhibitions and Event Management, operating across the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa regions. The partnership aims to achieve double-digit growth expanding beyond Dubai and the wider Middle East into high-growth markets worldwide.
The key strategic objectives of establishing this partnership include combining DWTC's global events with Informa Group's events business in the UAE and connected partner markets. This collaboration will see the two entities owning and operating over 40 market-leading brands in categories like Food (Gulfood), ICT (GITEX), Information Security (GISEC), Healthcare (WHX), Energy (Middle East Energy), and Aviation (Dubai Airshow). It will also facilitate accelerated global expansion by exporting DWTC's brands to fast-growing markets for B2B Events.
Stephen A. Carter, Group Chief Executive of Informa PLC, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We already have a great partnership in Dubai with DWTC and today’s announcement will further expand our relationship, allowing us to create something quite unique and special together in what is a highly vibrant and fast-growing market."
Informa International, the new entity headquartered in Dubai, will merge exhibitions, conferences, professional training, and accreditation businesses of both DWTC and Informa in Dubai and partner markets. This collaboration is aimed at solidifying Dubai's position as a global business hub and the preferred MICE industry hub, attracting marquee events from Informa's global brands into the city.
The strategic venture between DWTC and Informa Group is expected to create a new DWTC-Informa company called Informa International, fully operational by Q4 2025. With flagship events like GITEX and Gulfood expanding internationally and Informa's leading shows across the super-region, this partnership is poised to drive cross-border trade and enterprise, generating sustainable value for the industries and economies served through the convening power of B2B Events.
