MENA’s Conference Moment
Speaker Strategies is Tracking an Influx of Conference Interest in the Middle East
Because Scarlino Speaker Strategies tracks hundreds of conferences around the world, we often detect conference trends as they unfold. We share many of these trends in our Annual Conference Manager Survey. Others are worth their own mention.
One trend that has picked up pace over the last few years is the increased number of events happening in MENA (Middle East & North Africa). This includes global conference series – such as Web Summit – launching events in cities like Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh, as well as groups like the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition/GITEX expanding their programming footprint. Some of this growth can be attributed to an increase in investments by governments in that region, particularly those investing heavily in AI and in creating an ecosystem of innovation of investment that goes beyond oil and gas. Business leaders are also seeing opportunity as those economies expand.
Highlighted below are several conference announcements from the past year that illustrate the increased activity in MENA events. We are watching the environment and in regular conversation with each organization listed. If there are events you are curious about – or that are not on our list – we would love to hear from you!
Web Summit Qatar 2025 Breaks Records with 25,747 Attendees https://tribetechie.com/web-summit-qatar-2025-breaks-records-with-25747-a/
GITEX Global to hold 2025 Ai Everything event in February in Abu Dhabi https://techcabal.com/2025/01/23/ai-everything-event-2025/
Inaugural World Summit AI Qatar 2024 concludes with high-profile attendance, major AI innovations and groundbreaking discussions https://www.eureporter.co/world/qatar/2024/12/18/world-summit-ai-qatar-2024-concludes-with-high-profile-attendance-major-ai-innovations-and-groundbreaking-discussions/
2025 Fortune Global Forum to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (and will also hold a Most Powerful Women gathering in Riyadh) https://fortunemedia.mediaroom.com/2024-11-14-2025-Fortune-Global-Forum-to-be-held-in-Riyadh,-Saudi-Arabia
The 8th Edition of FII Conference Achieved Unprecedented $70+ Billion Worth Agreements https://fii-institute.org/press/fii8-conference-achieved-unprecedented-70-billion-worth-agreements/
Reuters plans major Middle East expansion https://www.axios.com/2025/02/04/reuters-major-middle-east-expansion
Dow Jones to Expand WSJ Tech Live Event to Qatar https://www.dowjones.com/press-room/dow-jones-to-expand-wsj-tech-live-event-to-qatar/
Shoptalk Luxe to Debut in Abu Dhabi https://luxe.shoptalk.com/press-release