Dubai World Trade Center, Informa Group Launch Live Events Firm

Dubai World Trade Center and Informa — the international B2B live events, digital services and academic markets group — have signed a partnership agreement to create a new firm, InD. 

The new company will manage Informa’s B2B Live Events operations in the United Arab Emirates and the broader IMEA region, along with DWTC’s B2B Live Events business, bringing together a portfolio of more than 40 major B2B show brands. These are in several categories, including health care (WHX), energy (Middle East Energy), aviation (Dubai Airshow), food and beverage (Gulfood), information and communications technology (GITEX Global), and information security (GISEC). The new portfolio is expected to earn more than US$650 million in revenues in 2026. 

The first InD event this year is Gulfood, which will be hosted at DWTC’s two flagship venues, the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Center and the Dubai Exhibition Center. The show, which takes place Jan. 26-30, will welcome more than 8,500 exhibitors, showcasing 1.5 million products from 195 countries. Next up is WHX Dubai (Feb. 9-12) and WHX Labs Dubai (Feb. 10-13). More than 4,800 exhibitors and 270,000 health-care professionals from more than 180 countries are expected to attend the events.

In announcing the launch of InD, Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Center, said, "Dubai has long been the world’s leading destination for global business events. This partnership now elevates that position further by transforming Dubai into an [intellectual property] and knowledge hub that not only accelerates international growth opportunities for DWTC’s flagship brands but also strengthens Dubai’s long-term GDP impact, further cementing its role as a leading global player in B2B events. Together with Informa, we are building a platform for sustained growth, innovation and global reach."

Stephen A. Carter, CEO of the Informa Group, said, "The creation of InD deepens our partnership with DWTC at a time of structural growth for our industry, strong economic growth across the region, and dynamic market growth in the UAE in particular, as the supply of high quality venue space increases to meet growing demand for B2B Live Events."