Abu Dhabi has been confirmed as the host city for the inaugural edition of the M&I Expo, scheduled to run from 14 to 16 April 2026 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

In a new strategic partnership between The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Worldwide Events, the expo will bring together the ‘MICE 1,000’, a handpicked community of influential global buyers and suppliers in the MICE industry, for three days of curated one-to-one meetings, networking and immersive destination experiences.

“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,” said Mubarak Al Shamsi, Director of the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau. “With iconic venues like Qasr Al Watan and Yas Marina Circuit, plus new attractions like teamLab Phenomena, this event will showcase the very best of Abu Dhabi.”

Richard Barnes, CEO of M&I, said: “Following the success of two incredible editions of M&I Fest in 2024 and 2025, the event has naturally evolved into something bigger and bolder. M&I Expo aims to deliver more valuable connections than any show that’s previously existed. We don’t want to become another big faceless exhibition where quality is diluted, time is wasted, and people are lost; our focus is quality over quantity, the 1,000 most influential players in the business event industry. We believe that 1,000 is the sweet spot, not too big, not too small. It’s just the right size.”

The M&I Expo programme will feature M&I’s market-leading one-to-one pre-scheduled meeting format alongside a fully inclusive networking programme with hosted lunches, evening socials, and keynote speakers. In addition to the exhibition programme, buyers will have the opportunity to experience Abu Dhabi firsthand; engaging with its unique venues, culture, and hospitality offering.

The event will also align with Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which identifies business events as a key pillar of economic growth. In Q1 2025, the emirate recorded 1.4 million overnight guests, with rising visitor numbers from markets including India, China, Russia, the UK, and the USA.

Organisers expect the Expo to attract a wide range of global exhibitors, including CBs, hotel groups, DMCs, and event tech firms.