Statement
Index Conference and Exhibition Organizing confirms its leadership role in supporting the national economy of the United Arab Emirates and enhancing its global performance in the international events industry. This is achieved through the organization and hosting of major conferences and exhibitions that attract thousands of participants and visitors from around the world.
From January 2025 to February 2026, the events and conferences organized by Index contributed to a direct economic impact of approximately 1.380 billion dirhams. This reflects the growing significance of the exhibition and conference sector as a vital driver of economic growth and a key supporter of various industries including tourism, hospitality, aviation, and logistics services.
This performance comes in light of the rapid developments in the UAE’s exhibition and conference industry, which has become a crucial pillar for supporting economic diversification and advancing a knowledge-based economy. This aligns with the country’s vision for sustainable economic development, bolstered by advanced infrastructure in exhibition and conference centers and the expertise of local talent alongside global professionals. Such factors have solidified the UAE’s status as a prime destination for hosting significant international events.
This growth also mirrors the state’s strategic vision and the continuous modernization of regulatory and economic policies, with over 40 laws and regulations updated in recent years, enhancing the business environment and the competitiveness of the national economy at both regional and global levels.
Last year and early this year, Index’s events saw robust participation, attracting 279,057 participants and visitors from 160 countries, with international participation reaching 65%. This underscores the UAE’s prominent global position in attracting expertise and interest from various sectors.
These events also facilitated business transactions valued at 54 billion dirhams, further establishing exhibitions and conferences as effective platforms for building partnerships and expanding investment and collaboration opportunities among companies and institutions worldwide.
This ongoing momentum confirms that the UAE is steadfast in enhancing its reputation as one of the most stable and attractive business environments for investment globally.
Positive Impacts on Multiple Sectors
The conferences and exhibitions organized by Index have tangibly stimulated economic activity and enhanced commercial and investment activity within the nation. The economic impact of these events has spread across several vital sectors, particularly in entertainment, where revenue from the restaurant sector was estimated at around 163.2 million dirhams. Meanwhile, tourism revenue reached approximately 108.8 million dirhams due to the increasing influx of visitors and tourists attending the events, both from within the UAE and abroad. This surge contributed to a boost in hotel bookings and revitalized related services such as transportation, recreation, and cultural activities, solidifying the UAE’s reputation as a leading venue for international events.
In the retail sector, revenues reached around 90.7 million dirhams, driven by heightened demand for products and goods showcased during the events, alongside increased sales in shopping centers near the event venues. This growth bolstered small and medium-sized enterprises, enhancing the market’s attractiveness for investments and creating new opportunities for customer engagement and interaction between consumers and participating brands.
In hospitality, the total number of hotel room nights during Index events exceeded 761,182, generating revenues estimated at approximately 380.9 million dirhams. This dynamic performance reflects the essential role of international events in boosting hotel occupancy and increasing demand for accommodation services, thereby supporting a diverse range of hospitality establishments, from luxury resorts to budget hotels.
The transportation sector experienced significant growth due to the rising number of visitors and participants arriving in the UAE for various events, with air transport revenues reaching around 453.5 million dirhams. This increase was fueled by a noticeable uptick in both international and domestic flights and a rise in bookings through various airlines, showcasing the significance of events in enhancing aviation activity and connecting the UAE to the world directly and effectively.
At the same time, revenues from land transport reached approximately 92.5 million dirhams, attributed to the movement of visitors and participants between event venues, hotels, shopping centers, and tourist attractions. This contributed to supporting transportation companies and the infrastructure related to vehicle, bus, taxi, and private transport services, thereby enhancing employment opportunities in this vital sector.
Other sectors contributed to total gains exceeding 90.7 million dirhams, affirming the comprehensive economic impact of these events across various linked activities. This performance highlights the pivotal role Index plays in supporting the national economy and solidifying the UAE’s position as a leading global venue for organizing international events, thus aiding economic development and diversifying national income sources. The continuity of this growth showcases the level of confidence in the UAE’s business environment and its ability to maintain vibrancy under varying circumstances.
His Excellency Professor Abdulsalam Al Madani, Chairman of Index Holding, stated: “These figures confirm the significant economic impact that the exhibition and conference industry brings to the UAE, along with the vital role that international events play in stimulating business activity and enhancing investment opportunities and collaboration across different economic sectors. The ongoing growth we are witnessing in this sector reflects the UAE’s strategic vision and its commitment to enhancing its presence in the global business and innovation landscape.”
He added: “What we are witnessing today is not merely growth in the events sector; it is a testament to the strength of the UAE’s business environment and its capability to turn opportunities into sustainable economic value. We believe that international events have become a genuine economic tool for forging partnerships, accelerating investment, and enriching the knowledge-based economy, thus solidifying the UAE’s position as an attractive global investment destination.”
Furthermore, he stated: “At Index Conference and Exhibition Organizing, we believe that organizing international events is not only about gathering expertise and sectors under one roof but also about creating a strategic platform for knowledge exchange and envisioning the future of various sectors. This is in addition to enhancing economic value and creating added value across a broad array of sectors connected to the events industry.”
Ambassador Al Madani also remarked: “We look toward the future with great confidence, relying on our achievements and the flexible and adaptive business environment that the UAE possesses. Amid the rapid changes the world is undergoing today, our conviction in the importance of developing more resilient and sustainable business models grows, allowing for the transformation of challenges into genuine growth opportunities. Our ambition extends beyond mere numbers; it encompasses expanding our impact, attracting more international events, and creating high-impact opportunities that support sustainable growth.”
The achievements of Index Conference and Exhibition Organizing exemplify the role of the event sector in supporting the national economy, attracting investments, and fostering business and knowledge exchange, thereby fortifying the UAE’s position as a global hub for business and events and one of the world’s strongest and most resilient economies.
Since its establishment in 1991, Index Conference and Exhibition Organizing, a part of Index Holding, has actively contributed to supporting the global economic landscape and enhancing development across multiple sectors, especially in the medical field internationally. Over more than three decades of continuous work, the company has developed and managed numerous specialized initiatives and events that have advanced professional and scientific progress, providing exceptional platforms for knowledge exchange and partnership building among experts and institutions from around the world.
Throughout its journey, Index has played a crucial role in organizing and managing specialized events and conferences across various domains, including healthcare, entertainment, humanitarian work, economics, industry, education, innovation, and creative industries. These efforts have fostered professional dialogue, knowledge exchange, and innovation in these areas. Additionally, Index has consistently kept pace with the rapid advancements in the meetings and exhibitions industry by offering comprehensive organizational experiences based on the latest global practices and standards in this sector.
Index organizes over 40 events annually, both regionally and internationally, which attract thousands of visitors, participants, and speakers from different continents, including decision-makers, experts, academics, and entrepreneurs. This transforms these events into influential platforms for dialogue, idea exchange, and showcasing the latest innovations and global trends across various sectors.
Index also manages various stages of event organization, from establishing the vision and strategic concept of the event to planning, designing, coordinating with partners and stakeholders, and culminating in execution and operation according to the highest professional and organizational standards. This integrated approach allows for the delivery of events with high added value that contribute to achieving the strategic objectives of both partners and participating entities.
These events support economic growth, stimulate business and tourism activities, and provide specialized platforms for knowledge and commercial exchange, enhancing opportunities for collaboration among experts, decision-makers, and representatives of institutions globally. They also open avenues for building strategic partnerships and launching joint initiatives and projects that contribute to the development of various sectors and foster innovation, in line with future aspirations and supporting sustainable development at both regional and international levels.
Index is the official organizer of several prominent global specialized conferences and exhibitions, including the Dubai International Pharmaceutical and Technology Conference and Exhibition (DUPHAT), the UAE International Dental Conference and Arab Dental Exhibition (AEEDC Dubai), the Dubai World Dermatology and Laser Conference and Exhibition (Dubai Derma), the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition (DIHAD), the Future Health Summit, and the International Family Medicine Conference and Exhibition, among other reputable global platforms.