Dubai: Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city's official convention bureau and a part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), has been recognized with the Association Development Award at the ICCA Middle East Summit. The summit was held at Exhibition World Bahrain in collaboration with the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority.
According to Emirates News Agency, the award was presented by Fatima Bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, Bahrain's Minister of Tourism. It acknowledges DBE's efforts in empowering associations through collaboration, knowledge exchange, and legacy enhancement while boosting the global competitiveness of the region's business events sector, in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
The summit gathered association leaders, industry stakeholders, and regional destinations to strategize on building a resilient and sustainable meetings industry. DBE, a member of ICCA Middle East, participated in a panel with other destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Oman, and Jordan. The panel discussion focused on 'The Future of Destination Leadership: Unlocking Regional Potential through Innovation, Inclusivity, and Sustainability.'
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), stated that the award testifies to Dubai's strategic vision and its collaborative efforts to establish itself as a hub for knowledge and innovation. He emphasized the role of associations in driving knowledge exchange, industry development, and economic impact, significantly contributing to Dubai's growth.
Dubai's involvement in the ICCA Middle East Summit highlights the city's ongoing engagement with global and regional industry leaders to tackle key themes influencing the future of events. These themes include legacy creation, sustainability, AI adoption, and smart tourism.
The summit's objectives align with Dubai's ambition to attract events that foster innovation, cross-sectoral knowledge building, and deliver measurable economic impact, furthering the progress of the D33 agenda.