Dubai World Trade Centre and global Informa, a specialist in business events, digital services, and academic research, announced the signing of a partnership agreement to establish a new company in the direct business events sector named 'inD'. According to a statement released yesterday, this partnership was first announced in March 2025. Company 'inD' combines the leadership of Dubai World Trade Centre in global business events with the global reach and specialized expertise of Informa, contributing to accelerating growth rates nationally, regionally, and globally, thereby enhancing Dubai's position as a leading global hub for direct business events and innovation. Company 'inD' holds a portfolio of over 40 brands representing major events serving a number of high-growth sectors, including healthcare (Global Health Exhibition), energy (Middle East Energy), aviation (Dubai Airshow), food and beverage (Gulfood), information and communication technology (GITEX Global), and information security (Gulf Information Security Exhibition & Conference - GISEC). These brands are expected to generate revenues exceeding $650 million in 2026, supported by a strong portfolio for future growth, amidst a continuing high demand for high-impact direct business event experiences. The establishment of 'inD' comes at a pivotal time coinciding with a significant increase in the capacity of world-class event hosting facilities in Dubai. The expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Centre this year will provide 140,000 square metres of event space, further cementing Dubai's status as one of the world's most dynamic and innovative markets for direct business events. Gulfood, held from 26 to 30 January this year, will be the first 'inD' brand event to be organized in 2026. It will be held for the first time on an unprecedented scale across Dubai World Trade Centre's two main venues, the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre and the Dubai Exhibition Centre, with the participation of over 8,500 exhibitors showcasing 1.5 million products from 195 countries. Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre, said: 'Dubai has always been the world's number one destination for global business events, and this partnership today elevates this standing to new horizons by transforming Dubai into a global hub for intellectual property and knowledge, which accelerates global growth opportunities for the leading brands of Dubai World Trade Centre and also enhances the long-term impact on Dubai's GDP and cements its role as a major global engine in the business events sector'. In turn, Stephen A. Carter, CEO of Informa, said: 'The launch of 'inD' deepens our partnership with Dubai World Trade Centre at a time of structural growth in our sector, strong economic growth in the region, and dynamic growth in the UAE market in particular. This coincides with an increase in high-quality facilities for hosting events that meets the growing demand for direct business events'. 40 brands representing major events are included in the 'inD' portfolio.
