Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has signed a landmark partnership agreement with international B2B Live Events, Digital Services and Academic Markets Group Informa to create a new global events business, inD, strengthening Dubai’s position as a leading hub for international business events.
First announced in March 2025, the new partnership combines DWTC’s portfolio of globally recognised B2B event brands with Informa’s international scale, operational expertise and market reach. The move is designed to accelerate growth across the UAE, the wider region and global markets, as demand for high-impact, in-person B2B experiences continues to rise.
Timed With Major Expansion in Dubai’s Event Infrastructure
The formation of inD coincides with a significant expansion of Dubai’s world-class event infrastructure. The Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) is set to deliver 140,000 square metres of event capacity in 2026, substantially increasing the city’s ability to host large-scale international exhibitions and conferences.
This expanded capacity will allow DWTC and Informa to scale flagship events further, attract new international audiences and introduce new event formats across multiple sectors.
Gulfood to Lead inD’s 2026 Event Calendar
The first inD brand to be delivered under the new partnership in 2026 will be Gulfood, taking place from 26 to 30 January 2026. For the first time, the event will be hosted across DWTC’s two flagship venues — the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre (DICEC) and the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) — at an expanded scale.
Gulfood 2026 is expected to welcome over 8,500 exhibitors, showcasing 1.5 million products from 195 countries, reinforcing its status as the world’s largest and most influential food and beverage sourcing event.
WHX Dubai and WHX Labs to Run Concurrently
Following Gulfood, WHX Dubai (9–12 February 2026) and WHX Labs Dubai (10–13 February 2026) will also be delivered under the inD umbrella. For the first time, both events will run concurrently across DICEC and DEC.
Together, the healthcare events are expected to host more than 4,800 exhibitors and attract over 270,000 healthcare professionals from 180+ countries, reflecting the rapid global expansion of the healthcare and life sciences sector.
Leadership Commentary Highlights Long-Term Vision
Commenting on the partnership, His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre, said the creation of inD marks a strategic evolution for Dubai’s business events ecosystem. Dubai has long been the world’s leading destination for global business events. This partnership elevates that position further by transforming Dubai into an IP and knowledge hub that accelerates international growth opportunities for DWTC’s flagship brands, while strengthening Dubai’s long-term GDP impact, Almarri said. “Together with Informa, we are building a platform for sustained growth, innovation and global reach.”
Strengthening Dubai’s Global B2B Leadership With inD, DWTC and Informa aim to position Dubai not only as a premier host destination, but as a global IP and knowledge creation hub for B2B industries. The partnership is expected to enhance Dubai’s economic impact, support long-term diversification goals, and set new benchmarks for scale, innovation and international reach in the global exhibitions and conferences sector.
