Bahrain has won the bid to host the prestigious 93rd UFI Global Congress in 2026. The decision was made at the recent UFI European Conference 2024 in Zurich, Switzerland, marking the first time this significant event will take place in Bahrain.
UFI Global Congress Comes to Bahrain
Scheduled for November 2026, the UFI Global Congress will be held at the award-winning Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) in Sakhir. Known as the Middle East’s Leading Large-Scale Wedding Venue 2024, EWB has a proven track record of hosting 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 the 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.”
A Global Gathering
Geoff Dickinson, UFI president, shared his excitement: “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 Leads the Charge
Exhibition World Bahrain, with the support of strategic local partners, led the successful bid to host this internationally renowned event. The congress will attract hundreds of industry professionals and decision-makers from around the world, providing a platform for exchanging insights, fostering collaborations, and shaping the future of the exhibition industry. This event will further cement Bahrain’s position as a regional leader in the MICE industry and a dynamic hub for business tourism.
A Premier Event Destination
Since its opening in November 2022, EWB has quickly established itself as a premier destination for events of all sizes. In its first year alone, it attracted over 800,000 visitors and exhibitors across 186 local and international events. The EWB’s Convention Centre features a Grand Hall that can accommodate over 4,000 guests and can be divided into three separate halls, all equipped with the latest technical services for hosting international conferences and events. Additionally, the centre offers 19 meeting rooms of various sizes, perfect for 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.
For more information about EWB and its facilities, visit EWB’s website.
So mark your calendars for November 2026 and get ready to experience the best of the exhibition industry in Bahrain!
