What INDEX Holding does

INDEX Holding is a Dubai-based, family-owned Emirati conglomerate that operates ten subsidiaries across six primary verticals: events management, healthcare, trading and investment, media, interior design, and textile/tailoring. The group is controlled by the Al Madani family, with corporate roots dating to 1928 and the formal holding structure established in 2006. Its revenue anchor is INDEX Conferences & Exhibitions, founded in 1991, which produces 35+ annual events including flagship properties AEEDC Dubai (dental), DIHAD (humanitarian aid and development), Innovation Arabia, and Aqdar — together attracting more than one million visitors from 133 countries and accounting for an estimated 25% share of the UAE exhibitions market.

The group's technology posture is selectively deployed rather than platform-native. INDEX has licensed the Empath emotion-recognition AI from Smartmedical Corp and applied it to UAE government campaigns such as the Waterfalls Initiative with the Ministry of Possibilities. Other operating subsidiaries include INDEX Healthcare Management (clinical operations), INDEX Trading & Investment (distribution, including IoT products under the DMM.make brand), INDEX Media, INDEX Design, and INDEX Textile. International operations span Singapore, Abu Dhabi, South Korea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, with 101–250 employees group-wide and a stated client base of more than 100,000.

The business model is B2B professional services and B2C event attendance, monetized through exhibition floor space rental, sponsorship sales, ticketing, healthcare service delivery, and product distribution. Go-to-market is anchored by long-cycle institutional relationships with UAE government entities, ADNEC, and ministries, supplemented by international government and industry partnerships. There is no public financial disclosure and the group does not appear to have raised institutional capital; expansion has been self-funded, consistent with private family-control governance.

Name

INDEX Holding

Legal name

INDEX Holding LLC

Website

https://indexholding.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

INDEX Holding is a Dubai-based, Al Madani family-owned conglomerate operating ten subsidiaries across events management, healthcare, trading, media, design, and textile, with its core in INDEX Conferences & Exhibitions producing 35+ annual events and a 25% share of the UAE exhibitions market.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Management & Business Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Offices of Other Holding Companies (551112)

akta.pro primary industry

Exhibition & Trade Show Management (Conference-Adjacent) (THAHACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Exhibitions, Trade Shows & Booth Management (HSACADAH), Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK)

Keywords

• Event management services
• Conferences and exhibitions
• Healthcare management
• Media production services
• Textile trading

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Events Management & Conferences: INDEX Conferences & Exhibitions organizes over 35 national, regional, and international conferences and exhibitions annually, serving as a major revenue driver with events spanning medical, economic, industrial, academic, trade, investment sectors. INDEX Conferences & Exhibitions contributes 25% of the UAE market share in the events industry.
2. Trading & Investment: INDEX Trading & Investment provides exclusive partnerships allowing strategic and profitable investments in specific sectors, bringing business opportunities and returns. Operates in textile trading, tailoring, retail brands, and franchise distribution across the UAE and GCC region.
3. Healthcare Management: INDEX Healthcare Management and INDEX Medical Center provide healthcare services, medical tourism facilitation, and healthcare event organization. Partnerships include China Medical University Hospital for medical tourism enhancement.
4. Media Services: INDEX Media provides media production, content creation, social media management, and creative marketing services across subsidiaries and external clients.
5. Interior Design: INDEX Design provides interior design services and exhibition stand design & build solutions.
6. Textile & Tailoring: Abdul Salam Al Madani Textile and Tailoring provides textile trading and tailoring services, including medical wear.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

INDEX Holding is a diversified Emirati holding company that operates 10 subsidiaries delivering event management and exhibition organization, healthcare management and clinical services, trading and exclusive product distribution (including Japanese IoT and electronics), media production and creative services, interior design and custom exhibition stand construction, and traditional textile trading and tailoring. Its flagship INDEX Conferences & Exhibitions subsidiary organizes over 35 national, regional, and international conferences and exhibitions annually across medical, economic, academic, trade, and investment sectors, holding approximately 25% of the UAE events industry market share.

Product overview

INDEX Holding is a diversified Emirati holding company established in 2006, with roots dating to 1928, managing 10 subsidiaries across events management, trading and investment, textile and tailoring, healthcare management, media, and interior design. The portfolio includes: INDEX Conferences & Exhibitions (ICE, est. 1991) — the core events management arm organizing 35+ conferences and exhibitions annually; INDEX Healthcare Management and INDEX Medical Center — providing healthcare management services and direct medical care with teleconsultation capabilities; INDEX Trading & Investment — holding sole distributorship for Japanese DMM.make IoT products and managing franchises in cosmetics, F&B, and retail across UAE and GCC; INDEX Media with CMYK — providing media production, social media management, and creative services; INDEX Design — interior design and custom exhibition stands; Abdul Salam Al Madani Textile & Tailoring — traditional tailoring and medical wear; INDEX IPC — exhibition stand construction; and international branches in South Korea (est. 2006), Singapore (est. 2018), and Abu Dhabi. INDEX organizes flagship events including AEEDC Dubai (largest dental conference in MENA and second largest globally), DIHAD (humanitarian aid conference), Innovation Arabia, and Aqdar World Summit.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bigdot: Media and events subsidiary brand
• AEEDC Dubai
• DIHAD
• DISAB
• Aqdar World Summit
• Innovation Arabia
• CMYK
• MYCONTENT

Products and services

• INDEX Conferences & Exhibitions (ICE) Flagship events management subsidiary of INDEX Holding, established in 1991. Organizes over 35 national, regional, and international conferences and exhibitions annually across medical, scientific, educational, trade, investment, and business sectors, providing a full suite of event-related services and facilities. Holds approximately 25% of the UAE events industry market share and attracts more than 1 million visitors from 133 countries each year. Flagship events include AEEDC Dubai (largest dental conference in MENA and second largest globally), DIHAD, Innovation Arabia, and Aqdar World Summit.
• INDEX Healthcare Management (IHCM) Healthcare business management subsidiary organizing healthcare conferences, medical tourism initiatives, and international healthcare partnerships. Collaborates with global medical institutions and organizes specialized healthcare-sector events including visiting-doctor programs and tele-medicine initiatives.
• INDEX Trading & Investment Trading and investment arm providing exclusive partnerships and sole distributorship arrangements enabling strategic investments and product distribution across the UAE and GCC. Holds exclusive GCC distribution rights for Japanese DMM.make IoT and consumer electronics products and franchise arrangements in cosmetics, food and beverages, and retail brands.
• INDEX Media Media production and communications subsidiary offering social media management, content creation, video production, event documentation, graphic design, and marketing services for both internal INDEX subsidiaries and external clients. Operates the CMYK creative services outlet.
• INDEX Design Interior design and exhibition stand construction subsidiary providing design services and custom-built exhibition stands for events organized by INDEX Conferences & Exhibitions and external clients across the UAE and GCC.
• INDEX IPC (Integrated Platform Company) Specialized subsidiary focused on designing and building custom-made exhibition stands and integrated platform solutions for events, supporting both INDEX-organized events and external event organizers.
• Abdul Salam Al Madani Textile & Tailoring Traditional textile trading and tailoring business originating from the family's 1928 founding business in Deira Old Souq, Dubai. Specializes in traditional garments, medical wear, and tailored apparel.
• INDEX Conferences & Exhibitions - Abu Dhabi Branch of INDEX Conferences & Exhibitions operating at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), organizing specialized events in Abu Dhabi for the capital and western region of the UAE.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25% of UAE events industry market share
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UAE Ministry of Possibilities - Behavioral Rewards DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 August 2020INDEX Holding serves as consulting partner for the Waterfalls initiative, a global initiative for continuous education and specialized remote training launched by UAE government. The initiative aims to empower 1 million medical staff worldwide and involves 140+ international professionals and 67 international institutions.
• Smash.ggcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 August 2020Partnership agreement between Smash.gg and INDEX Holding to promote E-sports in the Middle East. Smash.gg is a San Francisco-based company providing a self-service E-sports platform that supports competitive live and online events and leagues. The collaboration aims to develop high-profile competitive events and leagues in the region, with E-sports market expected to grow to over US$4B by 2022.
• Dr. David SamadicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2020World-renowned robotic surgeon Dr. David Samadi partnered with INDEX Media for exclusive live sessions on men's health and early cancer detection. Dr. Samadi, who has performed over 8,000 robotic prostate surgeries, announced collaboration with INDEX Medical Center for visiting doctor services and free medical consultations through IMC social media platforms. He expressed interest in establishing a branch of his medical center in Dubai in collaboration with IMC.
• Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2019PAM unanimously named H.E. Amb. Prof. Abdulsalam AlMadani, Chairman of INDEX Holding, as goodwill ambassador, making him the first non-member personality to receive this title. PAM is a prestigious international parliamentary organization focusing on Mediterranean cooperation.
• UCM (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 January 2019UCM, an innovative Higher Educational Institution with branches in Malta, Switzerland, Italy, France, and Spain, awarded Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani an honorary doctorate, making him the world's first Arab personality from UAE to receive this honor from UCM, recognizing his commitment to humanitarian aid and relief efforts.
• Arab Dental FederationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 December 2018Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani was honored by Egypt's Minister of Higher Education at the 1st International Dental Congress of Arab Dental Federation in Cairo for his contributions to developing the dentistry field through AEEDC, the largest dental conference in Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.
• New Zealand Middle East Business Council (NZMEBC)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 August 2018Cooperation with NZMEBC for organizing the Strategic Business Opportunities Forum in Auckland, New Zealand. The forum discussed business opportunities in UAE and ways to bolster trade and investment ties between the two countries, with trade volume of 2.9 billion New Zealand dollars.
• UAE India Business CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 May 2017INDEX Holding and UAE India Business Council signed MOU in New Delhi to encourage business, investment and partnership opportunities between UAE and India. The agreement aims to expand cooperation, facilitate trade and investments, and create synergies through inviting stakeholders to participate in events held in both countries.
• Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 May 2017Cooperation with CII for organizing the first Investment Partnership Forum in New Delhi, bringing together company directors and investors from India with UAE business representatives.
• Smartmedical Corp.coreTechnology or Integration · 16 February 2017INDEX Trading & Investment signed MoU with Smartmedical Corp. to license Emotion AI technology 'Empath' in GCC countries. Empath is an emotion recognition technology that identifies emotions in real-time regardless of language by analyzing physical properties of voice. The technology has been adopted by several UAE government sectors and was officially licensed to UAE's national campaign 'Express Your Love for UAE' hosted by Aqdar.
• Global Franchise Market Ltd. (TGFM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 August 2016Ajman Chamber of Commerce signed partnership agreement with Global Franchise Market, represented by INDEX Holding's Eng. Anas Al Madani, to organize 'Ajman Franchising, Brands & Retail Expo 2017'. INDEX brings expertise in organizing events dedicated for trademark, franchise and retail sectors.
• Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2016ADNEC and INDEX Conferences & Exhibitions signed strategic partnership agreement for INDEX to open a new branch at ADNEC and organize distinctive specialized events in Abu Dhabi. Under the agreement, INDEX opened a new branch and launched four new exhibitions including Children & Parents World Exhibition, Lifestyle Exhibition, Media Communication & Content World Conference (MC2), and ATech World Conference.
• DMM.make (DMM.com Co Ltd)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 25 October 2015INDEX Trading & Investment signed sole distributor agreement with DMM.make, one of Japan's leading electronic commerce and Internet companies. INDEX Trading & Investment became exclusive distributor for DMM.com's wide range of Japanese IoT & electronic products/gadgets including HD live-streaming devices, niche consumer electronics, and robots for UAE and GCC markets.
• Tunisia Economic CitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 April 2015INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions and INDEX Healthcare Management signed MOU's with Tunisia Economic City, a mega project occupying over 90 square kilometers on the eastern Tunisian shoreline. The partnership aims to apply Dubai experience and attract Emirati companies for the development project.
• China Medical University Hospital (CMUH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 January 2015INDEX Holding and China Medical University Hospital signed cooperation agreement to enhance medical tourism. The partnership facilitates collaboration between healthcare systems and provides a platform for medical knowledge exchange and patient referrals between UAE and Taiwan.
• Al Jalila FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 July 2014Al Jalila Foundation signed agreement with INDEX Holding to support medical research. The foundation, associated with Dubai Health Authority, collaborates with INDEX to advance healthcare research initiatives.
• Waterfalls Global InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Waterfalls Global Initiative of UAE Ministry of Possibilities, a transformative project driving positive change worldwide and cultivating solid international relations in healthcare education.
• Anti-Smoking International AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINDEX Holding Chairman Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani chairs the Anti-Smoking International Alliance based in London, established to spread awareness about risks of smoking through campaigns and behavioral initiatives promoting smoke-free environments worldwide.
• DIHAD (Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDIHAD is the world-renowned humanitarian gathering founded by INDEX Holding Chairman, tackling pressing issues of humanitarian crisis and natural disasters by developing mechanisms and coordinated programs to mitigate suffering.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Koelnmesse: German trade-fair organizer with growing Middle East presence across food, leisure, and digital events; comparable as a vertically integrated conference and exhibition organizer serving B2B sectors.
• Messe München: German exhibition organizer running trade fairs globally including drink technology, ISPO, and other B2B shows; comparable family-of-events model and booth/exhibitor monetisation structure to INDEX Conferences & Exhibitions.
• RX Global (Reed Exhibitions): World's largest exhibition organizer running pop-culture, luxury, and B2B events across Middle East and globally; comparable business model of staged trade shows and conferences with similar booth/exhibitor monetisation logic.
• GL Events: French-listed events group operating exhibitions, venue management and integrated event services worldwide; comparable in offering end-to-end event production including booth construction that mirrors INDEX Design and INDEX IPC capabilities.
• IFP Group (Orient Events): Lebanon-based exhibition and conference organizer specializing in MENA trade fairs across construction, energy, and consumer sectors; comparable in regional scope, conference portfolio, and family/private ownership structure similar to INDEX Holding.
• dmg events: Dubai-headquartered exhibition organizer that runs flagship MENA events including ADIPEC, The Big 5, and INDEX-design-adjacent properties; competes head-on with INDEX Conferences & Exhibitions for Middle East exhibition mandates and government/partnership deals.
• Messe Frankfurt Middle East: German-headquartered trade-fair giant running Beautyworld Middle East, Automechanika Dubai, and other flagship UAE exhibitions; directly comparable in operating exhibitions, exhibitor services, and booth design at ADNEC and Dubai World Trade Centre venues.
• Pico Group (Unisplendour Pico): Hong Kong-based experience and exhibition services group providing booth fabrication, event management, and integrated brand experiences; highly comparable to INDEX Design and INDEX IPC booth-construction and design-build offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Informa Markets: Global exhibitions division of Informa PLC organizing Arab Health, Cityscape Dubai, and other MENA flagship events; broader portfolio than INDEX but directly competes in UAE healthcare/events verticals including dental where AEEDC Dubai competes.

Regional players

• Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC): State-backed Abu Dhabi venue and organizer that already partners with INDEX (INDEX opened an Abu Dhabi branch at ADNEC in 2016) but also runs competing exhibitions; comparable as both a regional event-organization peer and a venue partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/INDEXHolding
• Facebookfacebook.com/INDEXHoldingUAE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/index-holding

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about INDEX Holding