The first half of 2026 is expected to be a busy and commercially valuable period in Dubai’s events calendar. Global investors, founders, suppliers and innovation leaders will gather as Dubai solidifies its status as a leading commercial hub in the Middle East. For anyone serious about setting up a business in Dubai, these flagship conferences and exhibitions will define partnerships, funding pipelines, and market access.
Here’s a list of important business events to consider in H1 2026:
From 26–30 January 2026, Gulfood will kick off the global F&B calendar as the world’s largest sourcing event. This 31st edition is a milestone, doubling in size and taking place for the first time at both DWTC and the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai.
Gulfood 2026 will host more than 8,500 exhibitors, showcase over 1.5 million products, and welcome participants from 195 countries. Free shuttles and direct metro access will connect both venues, highlighting Dubai’s strong logistics.
New programs include the Gulfood World Economy Summit (food security, trade diplomacy), Future Food500 (consumer trends, investment), and NXT Stage (food tech, agritech and retail tech). The event will also feature areas focused on startups, logistics, and AI & automation, with support from RTA and Dubai Police for citywide mobility and security.
Startups and SMEs looking to expand their businesses in Dubai’s food, retail, or supply-chain technology sectors will find Gulfood to be a vital platform. It provides access to market trends, innovative solutions, suppliers, and investors, which can help accelerate partnerships and create a clear pathway for entering the market.
The first-ever PropTech Connect Middle East 2026 will be hosted by the Dubai Land Department from 4–5 February 2026 at the Grand Hyatt Dubai.
This gathering, hosted by the Dubai Land Department, supports the D33 Agenda and the Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033. It will bring together developers, owners, operators, brokers, proptech companies, and investors to promote digital transformation in residential, hospitality, and commercial real estate.
Attendees can join over 60 panel discussions, 25 workshops, and in-depth case studies focused on AI, blockchain, and data analytics. The program features international speakers and organises one-on-one meetings, making Dubai a leading place to test new property technologies.
Significantly, Dubai’s real estate market has reached AED 917 billion in annual transactions by the end of 2025. This means it is moving closer to its long-term goal of AED 1 trillion by 2033. If you are interested in setting up a proptech business in Dubai, this event is a great opportunity to connect with regulators, investors, and industry leaders.
The World Health Expo (WHX), rebranded from Arab Health, is set to host the largest international gathering of health professionals from 9–12 February 2026, at the new Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai.
A key feature of this event will be WHX Labs (World Health Expo Labs), which focuses on medical diagnostics, laboratory technology, and scientific advancements. WHX Labs, previously known as Medlab, will be celebrating its 25th anniversary and will take place at the DWTC from 10-13 February.
WHX and World Health Expo Labs in Dubai have captured noteworthy interest from the global healthcare sector. Countries including China, Germany, the U.S., the U.K., and Korea are expanding their pavilions for 2026. As a result, there has been a 12% rise in floor space at both WHX and WHX Labs in Dubai compared to the previous year.
Healthcare innovators starting a business in Dubai benefit from regulator access, accredited education, and procurement visibility. The scale reinforces the local business environment as a launchpad for companies in new technology with global ambitions.
Dubai AI Week 2026 is scheduled for 7–8 April 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, following the success of the inaugural event in April 2025. The program will feature key platforms like the Dubai AI Festival, AI Retreat, and the Assembly for AI, bringing together global policymakers, tech leaders, and investors focused on applied AI. The agenda will feature the FutureTech Launchpad, competitive innovation showcases, plenary sessions, technical workshops and closed-door roundtables.
Delivered across multiple venues over the week, the initiative supports the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, positioning AI as a core driver of productivity and economic diversification.
The 2026 edition is expected to host more than 30,000 participants, 700 speakers, 250 sessions and activations, 160 country delegations and 25 global technology companies, reflecting its growing international reach.
For entrepreneurs setting up a business in Dubai, the week offers valuable insights into regulations, funding, and business scaling opportunities.
The Arabian Travel Market will be held from 4 to 7 May 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event will offer a conference program with practical insights, data-focused talks, and discussions on key travel sectors. This year’s theme is “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology.”
Sessions will be held on the Global Stage, the Future Stage, and the newly named Experience Stage — previously called the Business Events Stage as part of IBTM @ ATM.
ATM Travel Tech will focus on AI, fintech, immersive technology, and next-generation platforms, using data from Tourism Economics, Euromonitor, and GSIQ to guide strategy. The Women in Travel Forum is back with support from ICCA.
Startups in travel and experiences that set up in Dubai will have access to buyers and policy information.
GISEC Global 2026 returns for its 15th edition from 5 to 7 May at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City. As the region’s largest cybersecurity event, it will bring together over 25,000 professionals, 750 brands, and 150 startups. This year’s themes include AI-resilient and quantum-ready security.
The event will feature interactive zones such as the Global Cyber Drill, Critical Infrastructure Zone, Dark Stage, and the Dubai Cyber Challenge, offering live demonstrations and skills validation. GISEC is organised by DWTC in collaboration with the UAE Cybersecurity Council.
For cyber founders starting a business in Dubai, the event provides access to procurement opportunities and enhances their credibility with sovereign-grade recognition. GISEC emphasises the emirate’s commitment to secure digital growth, which is essential for Dubai’s SMEs operating in regulated markets.
Hosted by DIFC, the Dubai FinTech Summit returns as a global meeting point for financial leadership, regulatory foresight, and digital innovation on 11–12 May 2026, at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. The summit will bring together ministers of finance and economy, central bank governors, senior policymakers, and representatives from over 20 global financial regulators.
The 2026 program stands out for its institutional depth. Leading global bodies and markets are expected to participate, including the International Monetary Fund, the Institute of International Finance, and senior leadership from over five major stock exchanges, such as the London Stock Exchange, Bombay Stock Exchange, Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, Korea Exchange, and Dubai Financial Market. More than 30 top banking executives from institutions including JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Lloyd’s Americas, and State Street Global Advisors will join discussions on capital flows, digital assets, systemic risk, and financial resilience.
Showcase elements span fintech and enterprise innovation, with over 50 fintech companies, including Paytm, Ripple, Finastra, R3, Starling Bank and Payoneer, as well as global technology enterprises such as LinkedIn, Presight and Astratech. Supported by more than 20 leading investment management firms, including BlackRock, Federated Hermes, Quona Capital and SC Ventures, the summit blends policy dialogue with practical market deployment.
Other important events to note include the World Government Summit (February 3–5), MRO Middle East (February 4–5), Step Dubai (February 11–12), the FiNext Awards & Conference (February 10–12), The Energy Evolution Awards & Conference (February 10, 2026), Dubai GameExpo Summit (May 20–21), and The Hotel Show (June 2–4).
The business events sector in Dubai outperforms international benchmarks yet again, underpinned by the strategic execution of Dubai Business Events — part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
In H1 2025, DBE secured 249 international bids, a 29% YoY increase, with a 64% conversion rate. By 2029, 127,087 delegates are expected to visit. Dubai’s active presence globally and participation in events like IMEX Frankfurt have strengthened its reputation as a top host city.
Notably, the International Congress and Convention Association reveals that the city has the highest number of attendees per association meeting. Meanwhile, Cvent’s annual reports list it among the Top 25 Meeting Destinations in the MEA region.
Within this context, the DWTC is vital in the city’s business scene. In 2024, it hosted over two million people at 100 major events, generating AED 22.35 billion in economic output and adding AED 13.04 billion to Dubai’s GDP. Spending of AED 13.17 billion on hospitality, retail, transport, and business services shows that Dubai’s event infrastructure supports every stage of business, from setting up to expanding internationally.
These developments and strategic factors demonstrate that Dubai provides a strong business environment, making it a great choice for those launching their ventures or seeking international opportunities in the city. This article is the second part of our monthly series that explores the key innovations and market dynamics that will influence investment and growth in Dubai in the year 2026.
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