UAE Ranks #1 in Global Entrepreneurship Rankings for Third Year Running in 2024. This is why it is the best place to go to make new business contacts. The UAE hosts many events and exhibitions where you can showcase your business and learn what others have to offer.
We have compiled a list of major business events, divided by industry. We are sure you will find something useful in this list. At the end of this article, we have a bonus for you!
This list is updated regularly. The current version is as of 09.05.2024
Games and Entertainment
Dates: 01-02 May 2024
Place: Dubai World Trade Centre
Tickets cost: AED 134 - AED 2830
This conference is a must-attend event for game developers, investors, publishers, and anyone involved in the industry.
This B2B event is a part of the Dubai Esports and Games Festival. It will feature 100 notable game industry speakers from around the world. Industry professionals can explore new technologies here learn about best practices and discuss pressing topics facing the games industry:
- advantages of AI and Web3 technologies
- trends in game development and monetization
- potential of the Middle East and North Africa market and more
Tech & Startups
Dates: 14-18 October 2024
Place: Dubai World Trade Centre
Tickets cost: from AED 100 up to AED 1100
Yearly: yes
The world's largest technology event, held annually in Dubai. More than 1800 startups and 1000+ investors gather together to discuss and showcase the latest innovations in AI, future mobility, the digital economy, as well as the future of businesses, the economy, society, and culture.
Dates: 19-20 February 2025
Place: Dubai Internet City
Tickets cost: from AED 355 up to AED 1900
Yearly: yes
Dubai's annual tech festival featuring global startups, speakers, and investors. 400+ global startups, 100+ participating companies, 8000+ attendees, and $8.2+ billion in funding. Notable speakers and partners include individuals from LinkedIn, Replit, Facebook (Meta), and organizations such as MBC and Sequoia Capital.
The festival offers a variety of activities, such as workshops, coding sessions, satellite events, exhibition spaces, and entertainment.
Dates: 06-07 May 2024
Place: Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
Tickets cost: from AED 3670 up to AED 7342
Yearly: yes
Dubai FinTech Summit organized by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), is an event focused on advancing the FinTech industry. Notable participants such as H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the deputy ruler of Dubai and founder of Revolut Nik Storonsky, global financial regulators, senior executives from major banks, FinTech companies, and blockchain startups, as well as investment management firms.
Dates: 14-15 May 2024
Place: Dubai International Financial Centre
The first-ever Middle East Summit is an exclusive event for COOs, CFOs, General Counsels, CTOs, and other senior back-office executives from Middle East-based hedge funds and those looking to expand into the region. The event will provide an agenda for regulatory updates from the DFSA, leveraging opportunities in the ESG space, and other topics of interest.
Dates: 17-18 October 2024
Place: Dubai
Tickets cost: from AED 2016 up to AED 4587
Yearly: yes
The event is a top-tier gathering that unites experts, scholars, and enthusiasts worldwide to investigate and exchange ideas on the most recent developments and trends in digital marketing, advertising, and technology.
Dates: 03-04 February 2024
Place: Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park
Tickets cost: from AED 0 up to AED 200
Yearly: yes
This is one of the largest celebrations of entrepreneurship in the Sharjah region. It brings together founders and startups with knowledge, inspiration, and skills development, showcasing the vibrancy of the entrepreneurial community within Sharjah, the region and beyond. The event featured workshops facilitated by industry experts and organizations such as Linkedin, PwC, Sukoun, and the School of Humanity, and others.
The theme of the year 2024, "Our Shared Canvas", captures the essence of entrepreneurship and the potential for entrepreneurs to positively transform lives around the world.
Leadership & Management
WE CONVENTION | Women's Empowerment Convention
Dates: 20-21 April 2024
Place: ATLANTIS THE ROYAL CONFERENCE CENTER, Dubai
Tickets cost: from AED 1800 up to AED 18000
Yearly: yes
This event is a gathering of successful women leaders from all over the world, who are setting new standards and breaking down barriers. It's more than just an event - it's a vibrant community where we come together to challenge the status quo, celebrate achievements, and support each other on our journey to greatness.
Dates: 05-06 June 2024
Place: Palazzo Versace Dubai
Tickets cost: AED 6978
Yearly: yes
HR event by SHRM platform. The event will highlight the future of HR in the GCC region, the role of technology in transforming the workplace, and the importance of forward-thinking HR strategies.
The summit includes 200+ exclusively invited Senior HR Leaders & Decision-makers, 25+ Global Speakers, 50+ CXOs, 150+ Unique organizations, and 16+ Partners & Exhibitors.
Finance & Crypto
Dates: 18-19 April 2024
Place: Madinat Jumeirah Conference & Events Centre, Dubai
Tickets cost: from AED 3672 up to AED 18365
Yearly: yes
TOKEN2049 is a global conference series that brings together leaders from the crypto ecosystem to share ideas, network and influence the industry. It is the premier gathering for entrepreneurs, institutions, industry experts, investors, and enthusiasts in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. Over 4000 companies, 200+ speakers, and more than 200 exhibitors.
It's more than just a business conference. Lavish, free-flowing food and coffee, along with live DJ sets, create an electrifying atmosphere. Recharge with massages, shisha lounges, live music performances, and non-stop entertainment. Take part in quests and activities to make the most of your experience.
Dates: 20-21 May 2024
Place: Dubai World Trade Centre
Tickets cost: from AED 190 up to AED 8815
Yearly: yes
The largest crypto expo in Dubai with top investors and leaders in the cryptocurrency industry. You can learn more about the cryptocurrency industry and altcoins. This B2C event can provide the cryptocurrency community with high-quality educational resources and networking opportunities. 80+ companies and over 60 speakers from more than 30 countries.
Dates: 19-20 May 2024
Place: Dubai Festival Arena
Tickets cost: Free
Yearly: yes
The Forex Traders Summit Dubai 2024 is an event designed to provide a platform for professionals and enthusiasts in investment, financial markets, trading and Forex. This summit offers a unique opportunity to interact with industry experts, gain valuable insights and explore the latest trends and opportunities in the financial arena.
Travel & Hospitality
Date: 03 May 2024
Place: Grand Plaza Movenpick Media City, Dubai
Tickets cost: from AED 1818
This one-day business meeting for the travel industry is hosted by Singapore-based travel technology platform WiT Middle East. This year, they are partnering with Phocuswright — the leading travel technology research association in the USA.
The event will unite the best of Phocuswright's intelligence with Wit's market insights on digital travel, focusing on technology, innovation, and distribution and marketing trends in the Middle East.
Dates: 06-09 May 2024
Place: Dubai World Trade Centre
Tickets cost: from AED 240
Yearly: yes
This global event is designed to help grow the Travel & Tourism industry. The main theme for 2024 is "Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel through Entrepreneurship", which will explore how sustainable travel trends are evolving and identify strategies for growth in key vertical sectors.
Dates: 04-06 June 2024
Place: Dubai World Trade Centre
Tickets cost: Free
Yearly: yes
Trade show where you can discover the latest trends, network with industry experts, and explore cutting-edge solutions for the hospitality industry. Ideal for hoteliers, buyers, or just anyone with a passion for hospitality.
Medicine
Dates: 08-09 May 2024
Place: Dubai World Trade Centre
Tickets cost: Free
The two-day exhibition will bring together distributors, investors, research organizations, and government representatives to discuss solutions to meet the growing medical needs of populations. It will welcome 7,000 healthcare professionals, including clinicians, specialists in all areas of disease, laboratory heads, etc.
Free registration allows you to visit different zones:
- CME-accredited Scientific Conference
- PMES Exhibition Zone
- Precision Nexus Stage
- Networking App
- Emerge 2050 Summit
- The Nest Innovator Zone at Emerge 2050
Dates: 04-06 June 2024
Place: Dubai World Trade Centre
Tickets cost: Free
Yearly: yes
This expo is the leading trade and consumer show dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities in the Middle East region. It is the ideal platform to showcase the latest solutions in this field and network with key buyers, industry professionals, and end-users worldwide. 300+ companies from over 50 countries present their products for the improvement of mobility, treatment, rehabilitation, and medication.
Building & Decor
Dates: 07-09 October 2024
Place: Dubai World Trade Centre
Tickets cost: Free
Yearly: yes
Decobuild is an annual trade show for decoration, interior design, and building materials. It is a showcase of the best decoration and interior design solutions for residential, commercial, hospitality, and real estate developers. It's a great opportunity to meet and network with industry experts.
Visitors will also have access to agents from government agencies, banks, and real estate finance companies.
Dates: 04-06 June 2024
Place: Dubai World Trade Centre
Tickets cost: Free
Yearly: yes
INDEX is the industry's gathering place, where a diverse array of global brands showcase the latest innovations and cutting-edge technologies shaping the field of interior design and architecture.
400+ exhibitors and more than 85 industry experts as part of the global interior design and furnishings hub for buyers to connect with global brands and suppliers of furniture, flooring, lighting, textiles and more.
Dates: 04-06 June 2024
Place: Dubai World Trade Centre
Tickets cost: Free
Yearly: yes
This exhibition is a meeting place for professionals from various sectors with leaders in the interior design and furniture manufacturing industries. Here you can create entirely new work environments with expert help.
Transport
Dates: 21-23 May 2024
Place: Dubai World Trade Centre
Tickets cost: Visitors pass is free, other options start from £345 up to £2950 ex VAT
Yearly: no
This exhibition is the premier biennial event for the towing, towing, and salvage industry. It covers all aspects necessary for safe, environmentally responsible, and economically successful operations.
Held every two years in a different leading maritime center since 1969, this event connects 9,000 delegates and 1,250 exhibitors from more than 60 countries. It is an opportunity to network and discuss the latest commercial, operational, regulatory, and technical advances in towing, towage and salvage.