The Middle East Event Show, in its last day today on 18 June, shifted from the Madinat Jumeirah to Sheikh Maktoum Hall at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) for its 2025 edition.
The change marks what organiser Informa Connect called “a new chapter” for Dubai’s largest events industry gathering.
Comparison of the two venues – DWTC and Madinat Arena
Venue specifications:
- Sheikh Maktoum Hall: 3,800 sqm, 1,800 banquet capacity, within DWTC’s 1M+ sqft complex
- Madinat Jumeirah: 2,773 sqm, 4,500 guest capacity, 12m ceiling height
Location and setting:
- DWTC: Central business district, commercial hub environment
- Madinat Jumeirah: Coastline location, Arabian-themed resort setting
Transport connectivity:
- DWTC: Dedicated metro station (22,000/hour capacity), 7,530 parking spaces, direct highway access
- Madinat Jumeirah: No direct metro (nearest is 2.8km away), relies on taxis/buses, paid parking
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
Official reasoning
Organisers described the venue change as “a bold move” that reflects the exhibition’s “continued growth”.
Exhibition director Amar Daginawala noted that “the Middle East’s events industry continues to show steady growth, with the Middle East & Africa events market projected to increase from $53.63bn in 2022 to $76.67bn by 2028”.
The 2025 show featured over 60 free seminars and workshops with 70+ speakers from regional industry leaders including Coca-Cola Arena, DXB LIVE and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture & Tourism. The awards ceremony remained at Madinat Arena, Madinat Jumeirah on 19 June.
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