Participation in international conferences and exhibitions in Dubai     will increase between 10 and 15 per cent this year compared to 2008.  Major exhibitions like the Dubai Airshow 2009, Media and Marketing Show, and the Big Five will have more exhibition space to accommodate higher demand this year.

However, the international property investment and development exhibition Cityscape will probably see a 25 to 30 per cent drop in the number of participants and so organizers will reduce the space allocation for this exhibition. Economists say the higher participation by all sectors will help Dubai achieve its diversification plans and this will result in the Mice sector contributing more to the GDP. Mice stands for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions.