Why M&I Expo 2026 is a Turning Point for Abu Dhabi Business Tourism.
Abu Dhabi is no longer a rising star. It is now one of the world’s most compelling business event destinations. With over 1.4 million overnight guests in Q1 2025 and a 44 percent rise in MICE activity, the emirate is not waiting for recognition—it is building its legacy. Ranked as the #2 city in the Middle East for association meetings by ICCA 2024, Abu Dhabi is setting the tone for what the next chapter of business tourism should look like.
Backed by the Tourism Strategy 2030, the emirate is targeting 39.3 million visitors annually, contributing AED 90 billion to GDP and creating more than 178,000 tourism-related jobs. These numbers tell a story of ambition. But beyond the figures, it is Abu Dhabi’s unmatched ability to create real value that sets it apart. The business travel sector is thriving because the experience is authentic, the incentives are strategic, and the leadership is bold.
The Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) is playing a key role. Through initiatives like Advantage Abu Dhabi Meetings & Incentives 2.0, it is not just supporting planners, it is actively investing in global MICE growth. The support structure is clear, the processes are simple, and the outcomes are unmatched.
What makes Abu Dhabi stand out is its unique cultural and experiential blend. From the majesty of Qasr Al Watan to the innovation of teamLab Phenomena and the excitement of Yas Marina Circuit, it offers planners something extraordinary. Meetings become stories, and events become immersive journeys.
The M&I Expo scheduled for 14–16 April 2026 at ADNEC will highlight all of this. Organised by Worldwide Events with DCT Abu Dhabi, this is not another expo—it is the meeting of the MICE 1,000. A focused, high-level community of decision-makers in global business tourism. The event prioritises connection over crowd size, value over volume. It is where curated storytelling booths meet immersive networking.
“We want to create something intimate yet influential,” said Richard Barnes, CEO of M&I. “This isn’t about being the biggest. It’s about delivering quality that sparks real opportunities.”
From scheduled one-to-one meetings to hosted lunches and cultural exploration, every element of the M&I Expo is designed to connect, engage, and inspire. Attendees won’t just visit Abu Dhabi. They will experience it. They will walk through its streets, dine in its hidden gems, and see its vision come alive.
Mubarak Al Shamsi, Director of ADCEB, put it simply: “Hosting the M&I Expo is a reflection of our strategic commitment to positioning Abu Dhabi as a global business tourism powerhouse.”
ADCEB’s global outreach includes 16 international offices and expanding presence in Asia, including South Korea. It is part of a larger vision. Abu Dhabi is not trying to match cities like Singapore or Barcelona. It is creating its own category: culturally deep, economically driven, and globally connected.
From destination weddings to large-scale forums, Abu Dhabi’s events ecosystem is growing stronger by the day. And the M&I Expo is more than a gathering—it is a statement. A sign that Abu Dhabi is not just open for business. It is leading the conversation.
Learn more about M&I Expo and how Abu Dhabi is shaping the future of global MICE at https://expo.mi-forums.com.
