The global exhibition industry enters a phase of consolidation: a signal from Dubai

The global exhibition industry enters a phase of consolidation: a signal from Dubai

The global B2B exhibition industry is entering a new stage of development, shifting from fragmented platforms toward large, integrated ecosystems. One of the clearest signals of this transformation is the creation of the joint venture InD between Informa and Dubai World Trade Centrewith Informa holding a controlling 52% stake.

The new entity brings together a portfolio of more than 40 international B2B brands and focuses on the UAE and the wider IMEA (India, Middle East & Africa)This move reflects a key industry trend: exhibitions are no longer viewed as standalone events, they are becoming part of the economic infrastructure that supports international trade, investment, and technology transfe

For Dubai, this further confirms its position as a global B2B hub where government interests and international operators converge. For exporting companies, it is a clear signal that sustainable international market entry is increasingly possible only through large, institutionally strong platforms.

Profex Group works with leading global exhibition organisers and closely monitors the transformation of the industry, supporting companies from the CIS and Baltic regions in integrating into global exhibition ecosystems and building long-term market entry strategies across MENA и IMEA (India, Middle East & Africa).