Exhibition World Bahrain Signs Two-Year UFI Diamond Sponsorship Agreement with Regional Exclusivity

The highest sponsorship tier offered by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry provides the venue with international exposure among event organisers, following an agreement signed during UFI's 93rd Global Congress in Bahrain.

Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) has signed a two-year Diamond Sponsorship agreement with the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), securing a position within the association's highest sponsorship tier, with exclusivity among exhibition venues and service providers in the Middle East under this category.

The agreement was signed on November 4, 2026, during UFI's 93rd Global Congress, hosted by Bahrain from November 2 to 5 at Exhibition World Bahrain in Sakhir.

The agreement enables Exhibition World Bahrain to strengthen its presence across UFI's international network of exhibition organisers, venue operators, and specialist companies operating in the global events industry.

The sponsorship benefits include visibility at UFI's international and regional events, including its Global CEO Summit, as well as access to research, training programmes, professional initiatives, and digital and media platforms.

The announced exclusivity applies specifically to the Diamond Sponsorship category among exhibition venues and service providers in the Middle East. It does not grant exclusive rights to host UFI events.

Sara Ahmed Buhiji, CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority and Chairperson of Exhibition World Bahrain, emphasised that the agreement strengthens engagement with international exhibition industry leaders.

She highlighted the opportunity to establish long-term professional relationships and showcase Bahrain's capabilities in hosting major international conferences and exhibitions.

Chris Skeith, Managing Director and CEO of UFI, welcomed Exhibition World Bahrain's participation in the Diamond Sponsorship programme, highlighting the importance of collaboration in exchanging expertise and strengthening relationships among organisations operating in the sector.

Opened in November 2022, Exhibition World Bahrain features ten exhibition halls covering a combined area of 95,000 square metres, alongside a main conference hall accommodating up to 4,000 delegates.

Hosting UFI's Global Congress provides the venue with an opportunity to engage directly with executives from international exhibition and conference organisers, as well as venue operators, while presenting its facilities to industry professionals involved in selecting destinations for major events.

The financial value of the sponsorship agreement has not been disclosed, and no new international event-hosting contracts resulting from the partnership have been announced.

The professional value of the agreement lies in establishing ongoing channels of engagement with influential organisations in the international exhibition industry, whose decisions directly affect business travel and demand for conference and hospitality services.

However, measuring the sponsorship's actual tourism impact will require monitoring whether these relationships translate into new exhibitions and conferences hosted in Bahrain, the number of international participants they attract, and the business activity they generate for the Kingdom's hospitality and service sectors.