For the first time ever, the World Real Estate Congress will be held in the Middle East after Dubai won the bid to host the event in 2018. The theme will be 'Future of Cities.' The World Real Estate Congress unites real estate professionals—including commercial, residential, luxury, retail and industrial—from around the world to discuss the market's latest trends and movements. It also provides a platform for sharing best practices in addressing evolving needs, sharing information and conducting international business. It is expected to attract over 1,000 real estate professionals. The announcement was made by Dubai Business Events, the city's official convention bureau and a division of Dubai Tourism, in partnership with the Dubai Real Estate Institute, the education arm of the Dubai Land Department. "Our successful bid reflects the country's acclaimed top ranking as a global investment haven and the emirate's strengths in attracting and hosting international business events of the highest calibre," said Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing. Sultan Butti bin Mejren, Director-General of the DLD, said the fact Dubai has been chosen as the first city in the Middle East to host this event demonstrates how the city "has emerged as the pre-eminent real estate hub for the region." "This World Real Estate Congress 2018 will strengthen Dubai's economy through attracting business and leisure visitors, and inward investment into the emirate not only from the region, but also from across the world, further building towards a continued maturation of the Dubai property market," added Bin Mejren. The announcement bolsters the Dubai Plan 2021, which aims to build a smart and sustainable city with strong infrastructure capable of supporting economic and social life and contributing to the emirate's future growth.