Bahrain Wins Bid to Host the 93rd UFI Global Congress in 2026

Sakhir, Bahrain – 24 June 2024: The Kingdom of Bahrain has won the prestigious bid to host the 93^rd Global Association of the Exhibition Industry UFI Global Congress, marking a significant milestone for the country’s burgeoning Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry Board voted in Bahrain’s favour at the recent UFI European Conference 2024 held in Zurich, Switzerland. This will be the first time the annual gathering, recognised as the largest event in the exhibition industry, will be held in Bahrain.

The UFI Global Congress is scheduled for November 2026, at the award-winning Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) in Sakhir. EWB, the current World’s Leading New Exhibition and Convention Centre 2023, and the Middle East’s Leading Large-Scale Wedding Venue 2024, boasts state-of-the-art facilities and has already hosted numerous successful global events.

“We are honoured to have been selected as the host destination for the UFI Global Congress,” said H.E. Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi, the Minister of Tourism and Chairman of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA). “This is a testament to Bahrain’s commitment to the MICE industry and our ongoing efforts to drive innovation in this promising sector. We look forward to welcoming delegates from across the globe to experience the Bahraini hospitality and the many opportunities our nation has to offer.”

Mr. Geoff Dickinson, UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry President, added: “After Cologne in 2024 and Hong Kong in 2025, we couldn’t be more excited to announce that Bahrain will host the 2026 UFI Global Congress. Exhibition World Bahrain presented a very strong bid, making it an easy decision for the UFI leadership. After the success of the 2022 Global Congress in Oman, we are thrilled to return to the Middle East for another unforgettable event.”

EWB led the bid to secure this internationally renowned event for the first time in the Kingdom of Bahrain, with the support of strategic local partners. This landmark achievement aligns with the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority’s (BTEA) strategy to strongly position the Kingdom as a premier destination for international events. Hosting the UFI Global Congress will also enable the Kingdom to attract hundreds of industry professionals and decision-makers from around the world to exchange insights, foster collaborations, and shape the future of the sector. This further strengthens Bahrain’s positioning as a regional leader in the MICE industry since the early 1980s and a dynamic hub for business tourism.

Bahrain’s strategic location, robust business infrastructure, and supportive government policies, coupled with its rich history and cultural diversity, have made it a compelling destination for MICE events. A wide range of accommodation options and a world-class regulatory framework further enhance its appeal, offering event organizers and attendees an ideal blend of modern amenities and unique cultural experiences.

Since its opening in November 2022, EWB has rapidly established itself as a premier destination for events of all sizes, attracting over 800,000 visitors and exhibitors across 186 local and international events in its inaugural year. With state-of-the-art facilities, innovative services, and a diverse range of multi-purpose halls, EWB has successfully hosted a multitude of events, from large-scale exhibitions and conferences to intimate meetings and grand weddings. The venue’s commitment to providing unparalleled comfort, luxury, and bespoke service has ensured the success and memorability of every event, cementing its position as the preferred choice for major international events in the region.

For more information about UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, please visit www.ufi.org.

– ENDS –

About Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB)

Inaugurated in November 2022, Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) is the World’s Leading New Exhibition and Convention for 2023, the Middle East’s Leading Large-Scale Wedding Venue 2024 and the newest MICE venue in the Middle East. With 10 exhibition halls, multiple exits and entrances, storage facilities, and wide-ranging services, the venue’s extensive capacity will enable it to host several events and exhibitions simultaneously, making it an attractive location for local, regional, and international exhibitions. It also attracts all types of events of different sizes and arrangements, from large conventions and exhibitions to conferences and meetings, live entertainment performances, large weddings, galas and celebrations, and corporate functions.

The EWB’s Convention Centre features a Grand Hall that can accommodate over 4,000 guests and can be sub-divided into three separate halls all equipped with the latest technical services to host international conferences and events. The Convention Centre also offers 19 meeting rooms of various sizes that can accommodate medium-and small-scale conferences and meetings.

Exhibition World Bahrain is owned by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) and is operated by BTEA’s strategic partner; ASM Global, the world’s largest and leading venue management and event services company operating the most prestigious exhibitions, entertainment and sports venues spanning five continents with a portfolio of more than 400 venues worldwide.

EWB is an award-winning venue, having secured the “World’s Leading New Exhibition and Convention Centre 2023” at the World Travel Awards 2023, and the “Middle East’s Leading Large-Scale Wedding Venue 2024” at the World Travel Awards 2024. With these unrivalled wins, the Kingdom of Bahrain has further cemented its reputation as the leading global hub for the MICE industry.

EWB is committed to continuing to host and attract large-scale international, regional, and local exhibitions, conferences, conventions, product launches, live entertainment, large weddings, and bespoke events from around the world, further elevating the Kingdom’s position as a regional pioneer in the MICE industry.

For more information about EWB and its state-of-the-art features and facilities, please visit: https://www.ewbahrain.com/

Contacts:

Basma Taha

PR & Marketing Manager

Mobile: +973 3889 8090

Email: btaha@ewbahrain.com

Mohammed Aljayousi

Communications Special Projects Advisor

Mobile: +973 39761177

Email: maljayousi@ewbahrain.com