Experiential Planner Expo (EPEX) is scheduled to return to Dubai in early September, with Dubai Business Events (DBE) continuing as host destination partner and Kerzner International joining as a headline partner for the 2026 edition.
Organisers said EPEX 2026 will take place on 2 to 3 September 2026, positioning the event ahead of what is often a key planning and contracting period for the business events industry. The announcement also highlights EPEX’s focus on curated, relationship-led engagement rather than a traditional trade exhibition model.
What EPEX is and why Dubai matters this year
EPEX is in its 11th global edition, according to organisers, and is designed to connect senior buyers with destinations, hospitality groups, venues, and experiential stakeholders across markets that include India, the Middle East, Africa, and other outbound regions.
The event is structured around the theme “Where Leaders Reconnect.” Organisers link the theme and timing to the broader return of in-person business activity as the industry moves toward the new season that typically starts in September. For Dubai, the decision to host EPEX during this window reflects a continued effort by the emirate to attract international business events and maintain momentum heading into peak planning cycles.
Dubai Business Events, described as the city’s official convention bureau and part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), will remain involved as the host destination partner. Kerzner International, meanwhile, will join as headline partner, according to the release.
Partnerships and the institutions behind the event
DBE’s continued role places the event within Dubai’s wider business events strategy, which typically centers on connecting global organisers with local and regional suppliers while supporting how events are planned and executed in the emirate.
Kerzner’s involvement also signals the continued participation of major hospitality brands in the business events ecosystem, where buyer access and destination storytelling are often central to procurement decisions.
Outbound market focus
Organisers said EPEX 2026 will prioritize high-potential outbound markets including India, the GCC, Africa, and Turkey. The stated aim is to bring together a curated community of buyers and industry leaders with active business intent.
In practical terms, this matters for Dubai because those source markets are frequently targeted by international event planners seeking venues with established infrastructure and brand partnerships. By emphasizing specific outbound regions, the event’s programme is likely intended to concentrate demand, shorten decision cycles, and encourage conversion from meetings to future contracts.
How EPEX’s format differs from traditional expos
Beyond date and partner announcements, the release underscores EPEX’s emphasis on curated engagement. It says the event differs from traditional trade exhibitions by focusing on structured meetings, experiential programming, leadership conversations, and “meaningful business interaction.”
Organisers also said the event will include immersive destination experiences, leadership sessions, curated showcases, and recognition platforms highlighting impactful events and collaborations across the region.
The programme is described as including over 100 senior hosted buyers as part of the core itinerary, which is intended to strengthen the event’s relevance for sponsors and supplier participants looking for targeted buyer access.
Industry context: September contracting season and relationship buying
The timing of EPEX 2026 is aligned with a long-running dynamic in MICE and experiential events, where many destinations and suppliers prepare for a wave of planning activity as organisations finalize schedules and budgets for the latter part of the year and beyond.
In recent cycles, industry buyers have increasingly favored environments that combine networking with practical planning touchpoints, such as meeting agendas built around procurement needs. EPEX’s relationship-led positioning appears designed for that approach, aiming to support decision-making by bringing leaders together in person and coupling conversations with destination and venue experiences.
While the release frames the event as a platform for reconnection among leaders, its practical impact will likely be measured by follow-on outcomes, including the number of meetings that translate into future site visits, contracted programmes, and repeat business planning between hosted buyers and local partners.
What to watch next
With DBE and Kerzner named among the key partners, EPEX 2026 may also function as a barometer of how Dubai and major hospitality groups are prioritizing buyer engagement for the coming business events season. For participants in the events supply chain, the next step will typically be whether the final buyer list and confirmed sessions align with their target regions and event categories.
EPEX 2026 is scheduled for 2 to 3 September 2026. Organisers said more information is available via DBE’s website.
Note: The information in this article is based on the announcement provided by event organisers.
