What Informa Middle East does

Informa Middle East is the regional operating brand of Informa Connect Limited, the events, training, and intelligence division of publicly listed Informa PLC (LSE: INF). The business is headquartered in Dubai, was founded in 1993, and employs 101–250 staff, serving professional audiences across the Middle East and Africa region. It organises world-class annual conferences, exhibitions, training courses, and consulting services through five core service lines: Training Courses, Conferences, Consulting, Marketing Solutions, and Exhibitions. The event portfolio includes the Middle East Event Show, Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC), SuperReturn Middle East, HRSE (HR Summit & Expo), and the Tawdheef × Zaheb Emirati careers fair, with aggregate expected attendance exceeding 58,000 delegates across 2026.

Underlying delivery relies on Informa Connect's proprietary event management platform, a content library developed over decades, and formal partnerships with global credentialing bodies — APICS, BSI, IASP, WorldatWork, the Blockchain Training Alliance, ILM, DMI, NASBA, and CPD — which authorise Informa to deliver accredited certification courses in logistics, KPI measurement, strategy, total rewards, blockchain, digital marketing, and governance, risk & compliance. The technology stack itself is not publicly disclosed. Physical delivery occurs at major regional venues including ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi and Dubai, supplemented by Live Digital instructor-led training for remote MEA markets.

The business monetises through delegate ticket fees, exhibition space sales, event sponsorship, paid certification tuition, and consulting engagements. Go-to-market is event-driven and direct, supported by digital marketing on informaconnect.com/mea, email and newsletter communications, and cross-promotion across the event portfolio. Customer segments span HR and finance professionals, PE/VC investors, corporate training buyers, and consumer pop-culture audiences. Informa Middle East functions as a regional entity within Informa PLC's diversified events, intelligence, and training conglomerate, with the legal entity (Informa Connect Limited) registered in England and Wales.

Name

Informa Middle East

Legal name

Informa Connect Limited

Website

https://informa-mea.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Informa Middle East, the regional arm of Informa PLC's Informa Connect division, organises conferences, exhibitions, accredited training courses, and consulting services for business professionals, investors, and consumer audiences across the Middle East and Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Events and Professional Training Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Business Services (7380), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Conferences & Conventions Operations Services (Registration, AV, Logistics) (MPAGAGAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industry-Specific Technical & Certification Prep (e.g., Construction, Manufacturing, Energy) (EDAGANAN), Professional Certification & Training Content Publishing (Exam Prep, CE/CPD) (MPAJACAL)

Keywords

• Business conferences
• Professional training
• Trade exhibitions
• Certification programs
• Corporate events

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Event and Conference Services: Revenue generated from organizing and hosting professional conferences, exhibitions, and events across the MEA region. Events target specific industry verticals including HR, finance, marketing, and event management.
2. Training and Certification Programs: Online and in-person training courses with professional certifications offered in partnership with industry bodies such as APICS, BSI, IASP, WorldatWork, Blockchain Training Alliance, and NASBA/CPD.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Informa Middle East organizes and delivers professional conferences, exhibitions, certified training courses, and consulting services across the MEA region under the Informa Connect division. Its portfolio includes flagship events such as the Middle East Event Show, Middle East Film & Comic Con, SuperReturn Middle East, HRSE (HR Summit & Expo), and Tawdheef × Zaheb careers fair, alongside certification programs delivered in partnership with credentialing bodies such as APICS, BSI, ILM, IASP, WorldatWork, and Blockchain Training Alliance.

Product overview

Informa Connect MEA operates as a multi-product platform offering professional development and networking services across the MEA region. The portfolio consists of five core service lines: Training Courses (professional certifications in logistics, performance management, leadership, strategy, blockchain, and digital marketing), Conferences (industry summits and events), Consulting (advisory services), Marketing Solutions, and Exhibitions (trade shows). Notable events include Middle East Event Show, Middle East Film & Comic Con, SuperReturn Middle East, and HRSE (HR Summit & Expo). Training partnerships include APICS, BSI, ILM, IASP, WorldatWork, Blockchain Training Alliance, and DMI. The company also manages Tawdheef × Zaheb, UAE's flagship Emirati careers fair now entering its 20th year with a new Entrepreneurship Zone initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Informa Connect Academy: Training and certification programs including management skills, digital marketing, and professional certifications.
• Middle East Event Show
• SuperReturn Middle East
• HRSE (HR Summit & Expo)
• Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC)

Products and services

• Professional Training Courses and Certification Programs Accredited training courses and certification preparation programs delivered online and in-person, covering logistics (APICS CLTD), performance measurement (BSI KPI-P), management (ILM), strategy (IASP SMP/SPP), blockchain (CBBF/CBSA), governance/risk/compliance (GRC, Adv GRC), and digital marketing (DMI). Targeted at individual professionals and corporate teams across the MEA region seeking industry-recognized credentials.
• Industry Conferences and Summits Industry-specific conferences and summits connecting professionals across the MEA region, featuring expert-led content and networking opportunities. Covers HR, finance, private equity, marketing, and other verticals.
• Exhibitions and Trade Shows Trade shows and exhibitions connecting businesses with industry professionals and suppliers across the MEA region.
• Consulting and Advisory Services Advisory services helping businesses address industry-specific challenges and growth opportunities across the MEA region.
• Marketing Solutions Marketing services to help businesses reach and engage their target audiences through the Informa Connect MEA event portfolio and digital platforms.
• Middle East Event Show (MEES) MEA's premier MICE events exhibition held in Dubai, featuring expert-led seminars, event technology, and top suppliers. Expected attendance of 6,000+ event professionals in the 2026 edition (18–20 August 2026).
• Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC) Pop culture celebration held in Abu Dhabi featuring cosplay, anime, gaming, movies, and exclusive collectibles. Expected attendance of 46,000+ fans in the 2026 edition (11–13 September 2026). Targeted at consumer fans and enthusiasts.
• SuperReturn Middle East Private equity and venture capital event held in Dubai, connecting 600+ senior attendees with 220+ LPs and 230+ GPs from MENA and beyond. Scheduled for 13–15 October 2026.
• HRSE (HR Summit & Expo) MENA's largest and longest-running HR conference and exhibition held in Dubai. The 2026 edition (14–15 October) expects 5,500+ HR professionals and 70+ exhibitors, covering AI, L&D, HR tech, and talent.
• Tawdheef × Zaheb Emirati Careers Fair UAE's flagship Emirati careers fair marking two decades of connecting nationals with employment opportunities, supporting over 30,000 Emiratis in securing jobs or advancing their careers since launch. The 2026 edition adds a dedicated Entrepreneurship Zone.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• APICScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPICS (Association for Supply Chain Management) partners with Informa Connect to offer the Certified in Logistics, Transportation & Distribution (CLTD) certification program. Training delivered by Informa Connect with APICS branding and curriculum.
• BSI (British Standards Institution)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSI partners with Informa Connect to deliver the Key Performance Indicator Professional Certification (KPI-P) program. BSI provides curriculum authority and certification standards.
• IASP (International Association of Strategy Professionals)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIASP partners with Informa Connect for Strategy Management Professional (SMP) and Strategy Planning Professional (SPP) exam preparation courses.
• WorldatWorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorldatWork partners with Informa Connect for strategic communication in total rewards management training programs.
• Blockchain Training AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlockchain Training Alliance partners with Informa Connect to offer Certified Blockchain Business Foundations (CBBF) and Certified Blockchain Solution Architect (CBSA) certifications.
• NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASBA provides continuing professional education accreditation for Informa Connect's GRC (Governance, Risk Management & Compliance) certification programs.
• CPD (Continuing Professional Development) GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPD provides accreditation for Informa Connect Academy's governance, risk management & compliance certification courses.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• GL Events: Global live events and exhibitions group headquartered in France. Comparable in operating MEA exhibitions and event services, though with a broader geographic footprint and venue operations business.
• Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC): UAE-owned venue and events organizer operating its own portfolio of exhibitions in Dubai. Acts both as a venue partner and as a competing organizer for major trade shows in the region.

Direct peers

• dmg events: Dubai-headquartered B2B exhibitions and conferences organizer operating across the MEA region. Most direct competitor for large-scale events such as Big 5, ADIPEC-adjacent shows, and industry exhibitions across multiple verticals.
• Messe Frankfurt Middle East: Subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt running exhibitions and conferences in the UAE/GCC, including Automechanika Dubai and Beautyworld. Directly comparable trade show and B2B event operator serving MEA professional audiences.
• Reed Exhibitions (RX) Middle East: Global exhibitions division of RELX running MEA trade fairs such as Arab Health and Gulf Print & Pack. Direct peer operating large-scale MEA exhibitions with similar vertical targeting and venue partnerships.
• Terrapinn: London-based B2B conference and exhibitions organizer with established Middle East operations (e.g., Terrapinn Middle East events). Closely comparable in event-driven GTM and professional audience focus.
• Clarion Events: Major global events organizer running exhibitions across multiple verticals including energy, retail, and technology. Comparable operating model of multi-vertical B2B exhibitions with MEA presence.

Regional players

• KnowledgeNet: Middle East-focused professional training provider delivering corporate training courses across the GCC. Comparable as a regional training and certification delivery peer, though smaller in scale and event-led scope.
• Hannover Fairs Middle East: Subsidiary of Deutsche Messe running industrial B2B exhibitions in the MEA region. Comparable in trade-show operating model focused on industrial and technology verticals.

Others

• The Knowledge & Human Development Authority (KHDA) — Quality Assurance: Dubai government quality regulator for training and education providers. Indirect peer as the regulatory counterpart governing training quality standards applicable to Informa's certification offerings in the UAE.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/informa-middle-east

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Informa Middle East