Middle East
ICCA announces host destinations for 2027 and 2028 Congresses
The Interntional Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), is to take its annual global Congress to Rwanda in 2027 and to Oman in 2028. The association has announced the 66th Congress will take place 24–27 October 2027 in Kigali, and the 67th Congress, will be held, 12–15 November 2028, in Muscat. ICCA is committed to collaborating with different regions for this flagship event and, by selecting...
Identity opens new Dubai office at Expo City
Experience agency, Identity has announced the opening of a new office at Expo City Dubai. The agency is based in Sky Quarter A, Mobility District, which forms part of the Expo 2020 Dubai legacy development. Expo City Dubai was built to reuse the former World Expo site and now operates as a mixed use free zone for business and events. Expo 2020 Dubai attracted 24.1m visits during its six-month run ...
INVNT appoints new creative director in EMEA
Global storytelling agency, INVNT has appointed Caspar Mason as creative director, EMEA. He will lead creative strategy and delivery across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, covering brand experiences, live events and integrated experiential projects. The role includes shaping creative direction for regional clients and supporting global programmes delivered from the EMEA business. Mason joins I...
SITE announces keynote for its Global Conference 2026 in Abu Dhabi in February
The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) has announced author and advisor on creativity and AI, James Taylor as the keynote speaker, as well as education sessions for its SITE Global Conference 2026. The event takes place 12-15 February, 2026, at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. Each year, SITE Global Conference convenes incentive travel leaders from across the supply and demand ...
Sustainability with purpose: A practical roadmap for associations meeting in Dubai
Sustainability has shifted from a desirable value to an operational expectation in the events sector. For associations, the responsibility is even greater. Beyond the purpose of gathering, associations events act as platforms that shape professional norms, influence global communities and set benchmarks for others to follow. In an eco-conscious era, and as expectations around responsible meetings ...
Designing ease: How Dubai is streamlining its visitor experience from arrival to departure
For global business events, long before any opening session or welcome receptions, the experience begins at the point of arrival, during the first interaction with the city and across every touchpoint that shapes how visitors move, connect and engage on the ground. Dubai has long recognised, similar to its business events sector, that ease of experience relies on an ecosystem. One that spans aviat...
ICCA to deliver CICS Programme to strengthen professional development in Saudi Arabia
ICCA has announced official approval of its Certified International Convention Specialist (CICS) programme in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The approval follows formal endorsement by the National Center for Strategic Partnerships, operating under the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) and the authorisation enables ICCA to deliver the CICS programme across the Kingdom. Dr Senthil ...
Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed sets up new Dubai RDI Ecosystem
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (pictured), Crown Prince of Dubai, deputy prime minister and minister of defence of the UAE, and chairman of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), has directed the establishment of the Dubai RDI Ecosystem, an integrated ecosystem to advance research, development, and innovation across the emirate. Overseen by the Dubai Future Foundation, t...
Saudi Event Investment Fund and Legends Global announce joint venture to operate world-class venues
Saudi Arabia’s Event Investment Fund (EIF) has partnered with global venue management firm Legends Global in a major joint venture designed to accelerate the Kingdom’s growing venue industry and support the ambitions of Vision 2030. Under the new agreement, the partnership will serve as venue operator for upcoming EIF projects across the Kingdom, covering exhibition and convention centres as well ...
Dubai becomes first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Eastern Hemisphere
Dubai has officially gained recognition as the first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Eastern Hemisphere – a milestone that reflects a citywide effort to build a more accessible and inclusive tourism ecosystem. Dubai has officially gained recognition as the first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Eastern Hemisphere – a designation which underscores a citywide effort to make the tourism prop...
PCMA announces 2026 Class of 20 in their Twenties
US-based meetings industry association PCMA has selected 20 emerging leaders from the next generation of global business events professionals for its annual ‘20 in their Twenties’ programme. Now in its 12th year, the programme honours young professionals who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and a clear commitment to advancing the global business events community. The Class of 2026 represents or...
Registration opens for SITE Global Conference 2026 in Abu Dhabi
The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) has opened registration for its Global Conference 2026, due to take place 12-15 February, at The Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. Each year, SITE Global Conference convenes more than 750 incentive travel leaders from both the supply and demand sides of the industry. “SITE Global Conference is where our worldwide community comes together to acc...