MEBAA Show

What MEBAA Show does

MEBAA Show is the premier business aviation trade exhibition in the Middle East, held biennially at DWC, Dubai Airshow Site. The event is operated by Informa Markets, a trading division of Informa PLC (a London-listed public company), and is associated with the Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), a non-profit organization founded in 2006 by Ali Alnaqbi to serve as the regional representative body for business aviation. The show connects global business aviation stakeholders, including aircraft manufacturers (OEMs such as Boeing Business Jets, Airbus, Gulfstream, Bombardier, Dassault, and Embraer), operators, MROs, FBOs, brokers, and high-net-worth individuals, across 100+ countries.

The show's product portfolio includes the core exhibition, the BizAv Talks conference program featuring 60+ CXO-level speakers, the Luxury Boulevard for premium brand showcases, the Operators Lounge for industry networking, the AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) Pavilion for eVTOL and electric aircraft, the Startup Hub for emerging companies, MEBAA Connect networking programs, the Platinum Guest Programme for VIP attendees, and the Next Gen Leaders Program for talent development. Technology infrastructure includes an AI-powered matchmaking app that facilitates qualified business meetings between buyers and sellers, and a mobile event app with location tracking for navigation and personalized content. The 2024 edition attracted 10,000+ high-value visitors, 165+ exhibiting brands, and 30+ aircraft on static display, generating up to USD 1 billion in deals for exhibitors.

MEBAA Show's revenue model is based on four primary streams: exhibition space rental to OEMs, MROs, FBOs, and solution providers; multi-tier sponsorship packages including Luxury Boulevard, BizAv Talks, and Operators Lounge activations; attendee ticket sales with a premium Platinum Guest Programme; and conference fees for BizAv Talks sessions. The show achieves a 92% exhibitor return rate, signaling strong customer satisfaction and pricing power. Key partnerships include Emirates Airline as Official Travel Partner and Atelier by Informa as hospitality partner, with sustainability initiatives via the Better Stands Programme and Rove Hotel partnership under the Green Key Initiative.

Name

MEBAA Show

Legal name

Informa PLC

Website

https://mebaa.aero

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

MEBAA Show is a biennial business aviation trade exhibition held in Dubai, operated by Informa Markets. It connects 165+ global exhibiting brands with 10,000+ high-value visitors from 100+ countries, including OEMs, operators, MROs, FBOs, brokers, and high-net-worth individuals across the MENA region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Aviation Trade Exhibitions

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

akta.pro primary industry

Industry-Specific B2B Trade Show Organizers (THAHABAB)

Keywords

• Business aviation events
• Aviation trade show
• Aircraft exhibition
• Business aviation conference
• Aviation networking forum

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Exhibition Space Rental: Revenue from selling exhibition booth space to business aviation companies, OEMs, MROs, FBOs, and solution providers
2. Sponsorship Packages: Various sponsorship tiers and options including Luxury Boulevard, BizAv Talks, Operators Lounge, and other branded activations throughout the event
3. Attendee Tickets: Ticket sales for visitors attending the three-day exhibition, with a Platinum Guest Programme for high-value attendees
4. Conference Fees: Revenue from BizAv Talks conference sessions featuring executive interviews, truth sessions, market intelligence briefings, and innovation spotlights

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MEBAA Show is a biennial business aviation trade exhibition held at DWC, Dubai Airshow Site, featuring a static aircraft display, exhibition booths for OEMs, MROs, FBOs, operators, and brokers, plus a conference program (BizAv Talks), VIP attendee services, and AI-powered matchmaking. The event connects global business aviation decision-makers from 100+ countries and generates up to USD 1 billion in deals. It is operated by Informa Markets in association with the Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA).

Product overview

MEBAA Show is the premier business aviation exhibition and conference in the Middle East, operated by Informa Markets as part of the Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA). The event features a core exhibition show (MEBAA Show) combined with multiple integrated components: the BizAv Talks conference program with themed sessions on sustainability and digital transformation; the Luxury Boulevard showcasing premium experiences; the Operators Lounge for industry networking; the AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) Pavilion featuring electric aircraft; the Startup Hub for emerging companies; MEBAA Connect networking; an AI-Powered Matchmaking App for curated meetings; a Platinum Guest Programme for VIP attendees; the Next Gen Leaders Program for talent development; and comprehensive sustainability initiatives. The show also offers an event app with location-based navigation features.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MEBAA Show
• BizAv Talks
• Platinum Guest Programme
• Exhibition Space Rental & Sponsorship Packages

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to USD 1 billion in deals generated at a record-breaking edition
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered key, supporting and core.

• UAS International Trip SupportkeyOthers · 10 December 2018Co-Owner and Executive President Mohammed Husary was appointed to the MEBAA Board of Directors at the 2018 MEBAA Show. UAS International Trip Support is a major trip support services provider in the region.
• XJetsupportingOthers · 10 December 2018Founder and CEO Joshua Stewart joined the MEBAA Board of Directors at the 2018 MEBAA Show. XJet provides innovative business aviation solutions.
• Jet AviationkeyOthers · 10 December 2018President Robert Smith was appointed to the MEBAA Board of Directors. Jet Aviation is a global business aviation services company providing aircraft maintenance, completions, and flight operations.
• Kraft Aviation Solutions GmbHsupportingOthers · 10 December 2018Managing Director Ruedi Kraft was appointed as Board Advisor to MEBAA. Kraft Aviation Solutions provides business aviation consulting and solutions.
• GulfstreamkeyOthers · 10 December 2018Regional SVP Middle East and Africa Nicolas Robinson joined the MEBAA Board representing Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a leading business jet manufacturer.
• Emirates AirlinekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial Travel Partner for MEBAA Show. Emirates Airline offers special promotional codes (EVE6MB8) for attendees to book flights with discounts. Emirates is a global airline headquartered in Dubai, supporting the show's international attendee base.
• Informa PLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEBAA Show is operated by Informa PLC, a UK-based events and publishing company. Informa operates the event through its Informa Markets division. The show is part of Informa's portfolio of aviation and aerospace events.
• Rove HotelsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainable hotel partnership with Rove Hotel, part of the Green Key Initiative for eco-friendly hotel operations. Supports the show's sustainability commitments.
• Atelier by InformasupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial hospitality and travel partner for MEBAA Show 2026, delivered in partnership with Elevate and HotelMap. Provides accommodation, venue sourcing, hospitality requirements, and group bookings for exhibitors, sponsors, delegates, and visitors.
• Better Stands ProgrammesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEBAA Show participates in the Better Stands Programme, which reduces single-use disposable stands in favour of reusable structures, supporting the show's sustainability initiatives.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Singapore Airshow: Asia's largest aerospace and defense event, held biennially in Singapore. Competes for APAC business aviation exhibitor dollars and serves a similar function to MEBAA Show for its regional market.
• Dubai Airshow: Premier aerospace trade show held biennially at DWC, Dubai. Overlaps significantly with MEBAA Show in venue, exhibitor base (OEMs, MROs), and MENA audience, though focuses on broader commercial and defense aviation rather than business aviation specifically.
• Aero Friedrichshafen: Leading European general aviation trade show held annually in Germany. Covers business aviation, general aviation, and emerging AAM/eVTOL, offering a similar industry-vertical trade show model serving the European market rather than MENA.

Broad incumbents

• Farnborough International Airshow: One of the world's largest aerospace trade shows, held biennially in the UK. Broad incumbent with significant business aviation and OEM participation, often featuring major aircraft order announcements. Competes for the same OEM marketing budgets.
• Paris Air Show (Le Bourget): The world's largest air show, held biennially in Paris. A broader aerospace event with significant business aviation content. Competes with MEBAA Show for OEM executive attention and aircraft launch platforms.

Direct peers

• ABACE (Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition): Asia's leading business aviation event organized by NBAA and AsBAA, held in Shanghai. Direct functional peer in the global business aviation trade show circuit, targeting the growing APAC bizav market.
• EBACE (European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition): Jointly organized by NBAA and the European Business Aviation Association, EBACE is the leading European business aviation show held annually in Geneva. Direct functional peer competing for global OEM and operator marketing budgets.
• Routes (Routes World / Routes Asia / Routes Americas): Aviation route development forums organized by Informa, covering airline, airport, and business aviation network planning. Same operator (Informa) and similar B2B trade show / matchmaking business model targeting aviation commercial stakeholders.
• NBAA-BACE (Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition): The flagship business aviation trade show in North America, organized by NBAA. Direct competitor for OEM and operator attention globally, often seen as the world's largest business aviation event; MEBAA Show is positioned as the MENA counterpart.

Emerging players

• HAI HELI-EXPO: The world's largest helicopter trade show and exposition, organized by Helicopter Association International. While focused on rotorcraft, it shares the trade show / OEM engagement model and overlaps with MEBAA Show's vertical-anchored business aviation approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@mebaashow5998/videos
• Xx.com/MEBAAshow
• Facebookfacebook.com/MEBAAShow
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mebaa-show

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 MEBAA Show