Bahrain Confirmed as Host of November UFI Congress
Photo Credit: Bahrain World Trade Center at dusk. Pexels / Abdulla Alkettab
Skift Take
UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, is moving forward with its plan to host its flagship annual congress in Bahrain later this year. The move signals confidence in the Gulf, despite the recent conflict and ongoing geopolitical tensions impacting the region.
UFI has officially opened registration for its 93rd Global Congress, scheduled for November 2–5, 2026 at Exhibition World Bahrain in Sakhir. This is the first time UFI's premier annual gathering will be held in the country. It is expected to bring hundreds of exhibition industry leaders to Bahrain, which has sought to expand its role in the events sector since opening Exhibition World in 2022.
Registration opens as a U.S.-brokered ceasefire involving Iran is currently holding, though organizers across the region continue to closely monitor security developments and their potential impact on international travel.
Bahrain remains under a Level 3 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department, which states: reconsider travel.
On the congress website, UFI says it is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East and remains in regular contact with members and staff in the region.
"The safety and well-being of our participants is our top priority, and we are continuously assessing the situation," UFI said in a statement.
UFI CEO Chris Skeith confirmed that the decision to launch registration followed executive meetings held at its European conference in Izmir earlier this month. “We've been working with our members in the region, our hosts BTEA and EWB, and the UFI leadership since the onset of the troubles in February,” said Skeith. “We've been monitoring the situation closely, meeting regularly to evaluate developments and listening to member feedback,” he added.
The Middle East’s spring event season was decimated, with the majority of international events being postponed to later in the year. LEAP, Saudi Arabia's flagship technology conference, shifted its 2026 dates from April to August 31-September 3. The Arabian Travel Market, one of the region's largest travel trade shows, has adjusted its schedule twice and is now slated to take place from September 14 to 17.
