Abu Dhabi has officially announced that it will host the first-ever M&I Expo from April 14 to April 16, 2026, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). This event is the result of a strategic partnership between The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Worldwide Events.

The M&I Expo is poised to attract 1 000 of the most influential global buyers and suppliers in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. Over the course of three days, attendees will engage in curated one-to-one meetings and networking opportunities, alongside immersive experiences that highlight the destination.

Building upon the success of the M&I Fest Global 2024 and 2025 in Marrakech, the new expo format is designed to merge the excitement of large-scale exhibitions with M&I’s emphasis on meaningful business connections. Mubarak Al Shamsi, director of the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau, stated, “Hosting the M&I Expo in Abu Dhabi reinforces the emirate’s strength and sustained growth as a premier destination for business events and incentive travel.”

The event will showcase iconic venues such as Qasr Al Watan and Yas Marina Circuit, along with new attractions like teamLab Phenomena. M&I chief executive Richard Barnes emphasized that the M&I Expo aims to create more valuable connections than any previous event, focusing on quality over quantity for the elite segment of the MICE industry. He noted, “We believe that 1 000 is the sweet spot: not too big, not too small.”

Attendees can look forward to a pre-scheduled one-to-one meeting format, immersive brand activations, and presentations from expert keynote speakers, all within a fully hosted environment. Additionally, buyers will have the chance to experience Abu Dhabi’s culture and hospitality through tailored activities.

The M&I Expo aligns with Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which identifies business events as a vital area for economic growth. The emirate welcomed 1.4 million overnight guests in the first quarter of this year, indicating strong international growth from key markets, including India, China, Russia, the UK, and the USA.

ADNEC, along with the destination, will work to attract global exhibitors, such as tourism boards, convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs), major hotel brands, conference centers, destination management companies (DMCs), and technology providers. M&I Expo 2026 is set to establish a new benchmark in the global MICE calendar, where exclusivity, experience, and business converge.