Bahrain has won the bid to host the 93rd Global Association of the Exhibition Industry UFI Global Congress, marking a significant milestone for the country’s burgeoning Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry.

 

UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry Board, voted in Bahrain’s favour at the recent UFI European Conference 2024 held in Zurich, Switzerland. This will be the first time the annual gathering, recognised as the largest event in the exhibition industry, will be held in Bahrain, according to a Bahrain News Agency report.

 

The UFI Global Congress is scheduled for November 2026, at the award-winning Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) in Sakhir. EWB is the current 'World’s Leading New Exhibition and Convention Centre 2023', and the 'Middle East's Leading Large-Scale Wedding Venue 2024'.

 

“We are honoured to have been selected as the host destination for the UFI Global Congress,” said Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi, the Minister of Tourism and Chairman of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA).

 

“This is a testament to Bahrain’s commitment to the MICE industry and our ongoing efforts to drive innovation in this promising sector. We look forward to welcoming delegates from across the globe to experience the Bahraini hospitality and the many opportunities our nation has to offer,” she added.  

 

“After Cologne in 2024 and Hong Kong in 2025, we couldn’t be more excited to announce that Bahrain will host the 2026 UFI Global Congress. Exhibition World Bahrain presented a very strong bid, making it an easy decision for the UFI leadership. After the success of the 2022 Global Congress in Oman, we are thrilled to return to the Middle East for another unforgettable event,” Geoff Dickinson, UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry President, said.

 

EWB led the bid to secure this event with the support of strategic local partners. This landmark achievement aligns with the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority’s (BTEA) strategy to strongly position the kingdom as a premier destination for international events.

 

Hosting the UFI Global Congress will also enable the kingdom to attract hundreds of industry professionals and decision-makers from around the world to exchange insights, foster collaborations, and shape the future of the sector.

 

Bahrain's strategic location, robust business infrastructure, and supportive government policies, coupled with its rich history and cultural diversity, have made it a compelling destination for MICE events.

 

Since its opening in November 2022, EWB has rapidly established itself as a premier destination for events of all sizes, attracting over 800,000 visitors and exhibitors across 186 local and international events in its inaugural year. With state-of-the-art facilities, innovative services, and a diverse range of multi-purpose halls, EWB has successfully hosted a multitude of events, from large-scale exhibitions and conferences to intimate meetings and grand weddings.