#Dubai IPO: DWTC, Informa Said to Eye Listing Joint Events Business - Bloomberg

Dubai IPO: DWTC, Informa Said to Eye Listing Joint Events Business - Bloomberg

Dubai World Trade Centre and the UK’s Informa Group are exploring a listing of a joint events business that’s expected to combine some of the emirate’s most prominent exhibitions and conferences.

Rothschild & Co. is acting as financial adviser on the potential initial public offering in Dubai, according to people familiar with the matter. The business could be listed as soon as this year, the people said, declining to be identified because the discussions are confidential.

The deliberations are still at an early stage, and a transaction may ultimately not materialize.

DWTC’s partnership with Informa was announced last March, with combined revenues at the time forecast to exceed $700 million. Once finalized, the new entity, Informa International, will own and operate flagship events, including the Dubai Airshow and Gulfood.

Spokespeople for Rothschild and Informa declined to comment. Representatives for DWTC did not respond to requests for comment.

Dubai has been positioning itself as a global hub for conferences and exhibitions, drawing on its aviation connectivity, extensive hotel infrastructure, central time zone and business-friendly regulations. Authorities aim to triple the events sector’s annual contribution to gross domestic product to 54 billion dirhams ($14.7 billion) by 2033.

The industry has rebounded strongly since the pandemic, driven by renewed demand for in-person business conferences and trade shows. Events are also seen as a catalyst for tourism, another key pillar of Dubai’s economy.

Competition in the region is intensifying. Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh have all expanded their events calendars. Richard Attias & Associates, the organizer of Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative conference, which draws global finance leaders to Riyadh, is also considering an IPO, Bloomberg News has reported.

A listing would add to the United Arab Emirates’ equity capital markets pipeline, expected to strengthen this year after a subdued 2025. Other potential deals include Emirates Global Aluminium and a range of companies tied to the country’s property boom.