Jenny Hunt
3 min
Updated: Mar 28
Most recent update: 28th March 2024.
Welcome to Gateway Group's indispensable guide to the conferences, exhibitions and events happening in Abu Dhabi in 2024. Make sure to bookmark this page and check back regularly, as we'll be updating the guide throughout the year with new events as they're announced.
For you convenience, the UAE school holidays are included in the guide and are easily distinguished in pink.
The public holidays granted by the UAE Cabinet for 2024 are included in the guide, highlighted in purple. Please be aware that dates provided for the Islamic holidays are for guidance purposes only, as they are determined according to the sighting of the moon. The confirmed dates will usually be announced via the UAE government and news agencies a few days prior to the respective Islamic holiday.
Planning your business trips and activities around strategic events can help you to successfully engage with Abu Dhabi's dynamic business players and develop a deeper understanding of the commercial environment to either start a business or expand an existing one. (For more information about what to expect, head to the bottom of this article.)
Disclaimer
This events guide is intended for reference purposes only. Whilst we have researched the events, dates and venues for your convenience, we can not accept responsibility for any inaccuracies or changes. We recommend that users of this resource make their own, independent checks before registering and attending any of the events.
Explore the full list of 2024 events by scrolling down, or find specific events by month.
Abu Dhabi is the leading MICE destination in the Middle East⁽²⁾ Depending upon the type of event you are attending, you can expect a warm welcome and to experience world-class facilities, including large-scale convention centres, such as Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) and Al Ain Convention Centre; arts and culture centres; business hotels equipped for corporate events; luxury resorts for intimate retreats; ultramodern business centre and meeting facilities; and championship-level sporting venues and amenities.
With 119 global connections⁽³⁾, Abu Dhabi is easily accessible, requiring less than an eight-hour flight for 80% of the world's population. The newly-opened Zayed International Airport welcomes visitors with the latest technologies for a fast and easy airport experience.
The economic impact of the conferences and exhibitions contributes to Abu Dhabi's thriving business community, which is made up of multi nationals, SMEs and startups spanning a plethora of industries from oil and gas and manufacturing; to financial services and fintech; arts and culture; logistics; education; healthcare and beyond. In Q2 2023, Abu Dhabi’s non-oil economy⁽⁴⁾ grew at 12.3%, and in December 2023, the UAE's Central Bank raised its growth forecast for the national economy in 2024 to 5.7%⁽⁵⁾.
If you plan to attend one of the events in Abu Dhabi this year with the aim of launching a business, ensure you maximize your experience by coming fully prepared. Book a meeting with Gateway Group's General Manager, Awais Chughtai, to explore the variety of market entry routes and carefully select the best business setup strategy for your circumstances.
Getting expert guidance at the outset will position you for success in establishing and growing your business in Abu Dhabi.
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Sources
⁽¹⁾ The United Arab Emirates' Government Portal
⁽²⁾ International Congress and Convention Association
⁽³⁾ Airport World
⁽⁴⁾ Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED)
⁽⁵⁾ UAE Central Bank
⁽⁶⁾ Gateway Group
First published 13th January 2024.
Events researched by Sharmaigne Torella & Jenny Hunt
Written by Jenny Hunt
Founder, Gateway Group, Abu Dhabi & Dubai, United Arab Emirates
FORBES' Top 100 Most Influential Women in the Middle East