LIVEX 2026 Achieves Exceptional Global Standing with Visitor Satisfaction Reaching 95.5%

The inaugural Liveability and Investment Exhibition has delivered results that place Abu Dhabi among the world's leading platforms for urban development and investment partnerships, with independent analysis confirming its resonance with international audiences.

The inaugural Liveability and Investment Exhibition has concluded with measurable achievements that underscore Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a serious convener of global expertise on urban development and sustainable growth. Independent performance analysis by Explori, specialists in event measurement, reveals visitor satisfaction of 95.5% and a Net Promoter Score of +67, a figure that ranks the exhibition among the top 5% of international trade shows worldwide.

More than 33,000 attendees from across 50 countries engaged with the exhibition’s programming, drawn by content addressing the interplay between quality of life, investment opportunity and urban planning. Among those seeking meaningful connections with developers, investors and business partners, 81.8% reported achieving their objectives to a significant degree. Nearly half of all respondents identified meetings with government officials as particularly valuable, reflecting the exhibition’s role in facilitating dialogue between public and private sectors.

As we reported in our coverage of LIVEX’s conclusion, more than AED150 billion in agreements and initiatives emerged from the gathering, addressing infrastructure, investment, community development and technologies designed to enhance urban efficiency. The exhibition drew international figures of considerable standing, including urbanists, climate experts, technologists and researchers whose work shapes contemporary thinking about city building and human wellbeing.

Among visitors considering relocation to Abu Dhabi, 71.4% cited quality of life, safety and community cohesion as decisive factors, whilst 48.6% highlighted investment and career development opportunities. The research found that 52.7% of attendees regarded the exhibition as very important to their business or organisation, surpassing the regional benchmark of 42.6%.

Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, observed that the results demonstrate the centrality of liveability to a city’s competitive positioning, its capacity to attract investment and talent, and its trajectory toward sustainable growth. He emphasised Abu Dhabi’s integrated approach to urban planning, infrastructure, mobility and public services, noting that LIVEX had succeeded in translating dialogue into tangible partnerships and practical solutions.

The inaugural exhibition has established the foundation for an ongoing international forum. When the Crown Prince opened LIVEX, he emphasised investment in smart, sustainable cities, reflecting the Emirate’s commitment to shaping urban futures. The exhibition returns in October 2027, positioned to deepen international partnerships and accelerate knowledge exchange among city builders, investors and policymakers.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The exceptional metrics achieved by LIVEX 2026 affirm Abu Dhabi’s standing as a destination of genuine international consequence for urban development and investment discourse. The exhibition’s ability to attract senior figures from climate governance, technology and urban research, whilst delivering visitor satisfaction scores comparable to the world’s most respected conferences, signals the Emirate’s ascent as a convener capable of shaping global conversations about the future of cities.

For Abu Dhabi’s continued growth, the AED150 billion in agreements and initiatives provide tangible momentum across infrastructure, community development and urban technologies. The high proportion of visitors citing quality of life and safety as factors in relocation considerations, coupled with strong interest in career and investment opportunities, suggests LIVEX has successfully positioned the Emirate as a place where economic ambition and human wellbeing are understood as complementary rather than competing priorities.

Source: WAM