Dubai postpones international exhibitions until further notice

The international exhibitions and conferences company Informa has announced the postponement of one of its largest events in the Middle East, as escalating tensions with Iran create heightened uncertainty for large-scale events in the region.

Specifically, Middle East Energy 2026, originally scheduled for 7–9 April at the Dubai World Trade Centre, has been rescheduled to 1–3 September. The event is expected to attract over 50,000 participants from 178 countries.

Speaking to investors, CEO Stephen Carter noted that the company is already considering rescheduling other Middle East events later in 2026 as a precautionary measure in response to geopolitical developments. “Military activity creates conflicts and disruptions and, in some cases, generates significant concern,” he remarked.

Potential Postponements in Other Markets
According to Carter, events in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are most likely to be affected, depending on regional developments. Saudi Arabia, however, does not clearly fall into either risk category.

Among the events under review is the LEAP Tech Conference, one of the world’s largest technology exhibitions held in Riyadh. Scheduled for 13–16 April 2026, organizers have already secured alternative dates between September and December in case rescheduling is necessary. A final decision on whether the conference will proceed as planned is expected within the next week. If the conflict persists, some events may even be deferred to 2027, potentially impacting the company’s revenue.

Strategic Importance of the Middle East
The Middle East remains a key pillar of Informa’s international strategy. Approximately one-quarter of the company’s 2025 revenues came from the India, Middle East, and Africa (IMEA) region, and roughly 40% of expected 2026 revenues have already been secured through contracts and bookings.

As part of its four-year growth strategy unveiled at the end of 2025, the company is significantly expanding its Middle East presence. Central to this strategy is a partnership with the Dubai World Trade Centre to create a new joint venture in the B2B exhibitions sector.

The new joint venture, named inD, will manage more than 40 major event brands across sectors such as health, aviation, food, technology, and energy, with expected revenues exceeding $650 million in 2026.

Strong Demand Despite Uncertainty
Despite geopolitical pressures, Informa emphasizes that demand for its international exhibitions remains robust. Early 2026 trading is in line with expectations, supported by major events including the HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition, WHX Dubai, Natural Products Expo, and Gulfood.

The B2B Live Events division, the company’s largest business unit, recorded $4 billion in revenue in 2025, with organic growth of 9.5% and a 12.6% increase in adjusted operating profit.

At the group level, Informa reported record revenues of $5.39 billion in 2025, up 13.7% year-on-year, with adjusted operating profit of $1.52 billion, an increase of 14.6%. For 2026, the company targets approximately 6% organic revenue growth, with the B2B Live Events division expected to grow by more than 7%.