Dubai’s growing business events sector, a key contributor to the emirate’s economy, is being showcased this week to an audience of international meetings industry professionals at the ongoing IBTM World in Barcelona, Spain.

Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau, kicked off its participation along with partners and stakeholders at the annual trade show being held from 27-29 November.

With over 15,000 industry professionals in attendance, IBTM World, held annually at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, is one of the largest and most significant trade events globally. The 2018 edition of IBTM World serves as a global platform for DBE to showcase Dubai’s latest offerings for the business events industry, which directly contributes to the overall growth and strength of the city’s economy and global knowledge exchange ambitions.

DBE’s presence at IBTM World is part of a year-round calendar of activities aimed at engaging with the wider global meetings community.

DBE has been joined by 27 co-exhibitors from across Dubai, including hotels, venues, attractions, airlines and destination management companies. Key partners and stakeholders present alongside DBE at IBTM World this year include Emirates Airline, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Dubai World Trade Centre, and Expo 2020 Dubai.

Issam Kazim, chief executive officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “The business events industry plays a crucial role in our efforts to further transform Dubai into a global knowledge hub, and events such as IBTM World are a key part of realizing this ambition.”

“They also make a significant contribution to the emirate’s economy, bringing visitors from around the world, often experiencing Dubai for the first time. The ability to showcase the city’s world-class business events offerings and infrastructure, engage with global meeting industry professionals, as well as our commitment to the growth of the industry, makes for yet another successful participation in Barcelona.”

DBE’s participation at IBTM World follows from the success of the 57th annual ICCA Congress, which was held this month for the first time in Dubai and the region. The Congress attracted more than 1,150 senior meetings industry professionals and association planners from over 75 countries, further cementing Dubai as a hub for business event with world-class meeting facilities.

As part of DBE’s strengthened presence at IBTM World, the convention bureau is meeting with existing and future partners from around the world, as well as hosting a networking event offering attendees a unique opportunity for deeper engagement with key Dubai stakeholders. At the trade event, DBE is also highlighting its key achievements and activities in 2018, including the study missions and site inspections hosted in the city, as well as the year round calendar of roadshows and activations around the world, including at other major trade shows.

Earlier this year DBE announced strong results for the first half of 2018, securing 125 business events in the first six months of the year, all of which are set to attract over 65,000 delegates to Dubai from around the world, with an expected economic impact of approximately Dh500 million ($136 million). The number of business events secured reflects a 29 per cent increase from the same period last year. – TradeArabia News Service