World-class business events in Dubai that attract global entrepreneurs and investors in 2024

• Dubai’s world-class corporate events in 2024 attract global innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors wanting to do business in Dubai.
• These events provide an avenue for investment opportunities and collaboration across key sectors like healthcare, technology, and logistics.
• The strategic initiatives and pro-business environment further enhance its appeal for entrepreneurs wanting to expand their network or start a business in Dubai.

Dubai’s authority as an international commercial centre continues to strengthen, with an impressive 175 event bids secured in the first half of 2024 alone. These successful wins, which represent a 24% rise compared to the same period in 2023, have attracted more than 200,000 industry leaders, visionaries, and delegates. These figures offer a glimpse of the city’s unparalleled ability to stage world-class events, which inevitably encourages cross-industry collaborations and streamlines endeavours of setting up a business in Dubai.

Indeed, Dubai’s pro-business environment and extensive calendar of international conferences have made it a prime choice for global entrepreneurs and investors looking to expand their networks. This month, we’ll look at the significant factors and succeeding developments that have shaped Dubai’s business ecosystem. In this first edition of our three-part blog sequence, we will highlight the top five key events in 2024 that have already simplified doing business in Dubai and those that will solidify its role in creating beneficial partnerships.

1. Arab Health 2024: Integrating technology to revolutionise healthcare

Arab Health, the Middle East’s largest healthcare exhibition, showcased cutting-edge innovations in patient-centred care. With the theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Transforming Healthcare,’ held from 29 January to 1 February 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Arab Health introduced groundbreaking concepts like the Smart Hospital and Interoperability Zone. It was developed in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

These exhibits demonstrated how advanced technologies like electronic foetal monitoring and robotic surgery integrate seamlessly to enhance patient-centred care. Entrepreneurs and investors exploring business opportunities in Dubai’s healthcare sector were treated to demonstrations across intensive care, emergency rooms, and operating theatres.

Moreover, the event’s very own Cre8 competition encouraged local students to tackle real-world challenges. Meanwhile, the invite-only Future Health Summit expertly delved into meaningful discussions surrounding longevity and reverse ageing.

2. Step Conference: Championing one million start-ups worldwide

The Step Conference 2024 hosted roughly 8,000 attendees and 350 start-ups and attracted 150 venture capital firms. With its six specialised tracks — AI, Fintech, Digital, Earth, Wellness, and Start-Ups — the event provided a comprehensive platform for entrepreneurs to explore emerging technologies.

Notably, the AI Track explored topics covering general and ethical AI, which is aligned with the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031. This offered insights into lucrative tech investments for global businesses seeking to enter the Middle Eastern market. On the other hand, the newly introduced Earth Track focused on sustainable tech, offering opportunities for investors interested in green technology and environmental solutions.

For start-ups setting up a business in Dubai, the event facilitated pre-arranged meetings with mentors, financiers, and venture capitalists, thus ensuring actionable outcomes. The conference’s ability to provide $8.2+ billion in funding opportunities emphasises its significance for businesses devising a streamlined market entry strategy in Dubai.

3. Gulfood 2024: Advancing the F&B sector with innovation

Celebrating its largest edition in three decades, Gulfood 2024 attracted 5,500 exhibitors from 190+ countries to the Dubai World Trade Centre. This year’s event arguably highlighted innovations in food production, alternative proteins, and agricultural technology.

Under the theme ‘Real Food, Real Business,’ the event witnessed in-depth conversations regarding sustainable food systems, AI-powered supply chain solutions, and cultured meat technologies. A number of exhibitors, such as Agthia, Americana, and Wilmar, also showcased cutting-edge advancements that expand business opportunities for entrepreneurs seeking an efficient foothold in Dubai’s F&B sector.

Additionally, the Top Table initiative brought together Michelin-starred chefs, which fostered a dialogue between traditional culinary practices and modern trends. With 21 Michelin stars represented, it emphasised the emirate’s potential as a global culinary hub. It’s also worth highlighting that the innovative YouthX Chef Challenge provided a launchpad for young talent.

4. GITEX Global 2024: Leveraging disruptive solutions for investments, collaboration, and advancements

As one of the world’s largest tech exhibitions, GITEX Global 2024 featured approximately 200,000 attendees from 180 countries. The event epitomised Dubai’s emerging authority in digital transformation as it showcased cutting-edge advancements in AI, cybersecurity, and quantum computing. Attendees had the opportunity to explore cutting-edge AI prototypes designed to enhance public services and eco-friendly data centre technologies, alongside NVIDIA’s advanced tools.

Remarkably, start-ups worldwide have benefitted from programs such as the Supernova Challenge, which provided $200,000 in funding and access to 1,200 investors managing over $1 trillion in assets. Needless to say, entrepreneurs interested in doing business in Dubai have effectively leveraged GITEX as a primary gateway to collaborative endeavours and investment opportunities. This international corporate exhibition has generally reaffirmed Dubai’s goal of becoming a global leader in digital innovation across different industries.

5. Logimotion 2024: Boosting mobility and logistics

Scheduled for 10–11 December 2024, Logimotion is set to unite global leaders in logistics, supply chain, and mobility at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The inaugural edition of the event will explore transformative solutions within the mobility and logistics sector. With three conferences — SCALEX, the Global Trade & Infrastructure Summit, and the TransMobility Forum — Logimotion will address pressing challenges such as sustainability and digitalisation. Businesses looking to develop a robust market entry strategy in Dubai will find this event to be a valuable platform for forming potential partnerships and exploring investment opportunities in mobility innovations.

The bottom line

The Dubai World Trade Centre, recognised as a leader in the global events and exhibitions industry, has made a significant impact on the economy by generating a total economic output of AED18.3 billion. Notably, this has resulted in an impressive AED10.5 billion being retained as Gross Value Added to Dubai‘s GDP. Suffice to state, Dubai’s thriving business events scene in 2024 has further strengthened the city as a capital for innovation, collaboration, and industry transformation globally.

With a record number of successful bids, cutting-edge platforms, and diverse industries under its umbrella, the city has demonstrated its unparalleled ability to bring together stakeholders from around the world. These developments have made doing business in Dubai an appealing proposition for international entrepreneurs and investors.