‘Retail Congress MENA 2026’ kicks off with key discussions on AI, Leadership and Retail’s Future
DUBAI, UAE, October 5:
AI, leadership, the future of retail and Dubai’s Retail and Tourism Agenda took centre stage on day one of ‘Retail Congress MENA 2026’, as retail leaders, shopping centre and real estate professionals from the region gathered at Ritz-Carlton, DIFC, Dubai on Monday to exchange insights on the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the next chapter of MENA’s retail industry.
The two-day congress, organized by the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres & Retailers (MECSR) is taking place on 5th-6th October under the theme ‘Level Up: Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders Today’.
The opening featured a series of keynote sessions, panel discussion and thought-provoking industry conversations focused on leadership, innovation, technology and the evolving expectations of today’s consumers and their impact on the retail market.
The event began with the opening remarks by David Macadam, CEO, MECSR; Richard Dean, Master of Ceremonies followed by Dr. Younis Al Mulla, Chairman, MECSR and Ayman Alburti, Board President, MECSR; CEO, Azad Properties, MECSR / Azad Properties.
The event kicked off with an insightful session titled ‘Dubai’s Retail and Tourism Agenda: The View from the City’ featuring Mohammed Feras Arayqat, Vice President, Retail Calendar and Promotions, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE).
Arayqat discussed how Dubai’s retail sector and tourism economy have evolved alongside each other over the past two decades, and how the city’s continued growth in visitors and residents demanding are influencing the way retail destinations are planned, leased and programmed. He also highlighted the role of Dubai’s retail calendar and major campaigns in driving footfall and shaping the city’s retail landscape in the years ahead.
Another key session ‘The Human Future: AI, Happiness and How We Will Live, Work and Gather’ by Mo Gawdat, Former Chief Business Officer, Google [X] and Founder, One Billion Happy in discussion with David Macadam, CEO, MECSR.
The conversations focussed on the growing impact of artificial intelligence on business, the workplace and human behaviour. Gawdat with Macadam outlined how AI could reshape the way people work, shop and interact. He emphasised the need for leaders to navigate technological change with a greater focus on people’s wellbeing and confidence. The also highlighted the growing importance of employee and consumer wellbeing as businesses adapt to rapid technological change.
In the next session ‘NEXT | Leading Through the New Realities’ featuring Alain Bejjani the author of NEXT | Leading Through the New Realities and former Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim Holding, was in
conversation with Richard Dean, Master of Ceremonies. The discussion explored how the conditions that shaped the Gulf’s retail and real estate sector over the past two decades are changing. The speaker further examined what these shifts mean for regional leaders and operators and how leadership must evolve to respond to new market realities. He highlighted the importance of recognising change early and enabling organisations to remain decisive and adaptable as the business environment continues to shift.
Another insightful session was ‘Capital and Confidence: Navigating the Region’s Next Chapter ‘featuring Gogi George, Director, Asset Management, Lulu International Holdings Ltd accompanied by Shane Eldstrom, Chief Executive Officer, United Developers (Place Vendôme); Duaij Al Rumaihi, Chief Commercial Officer, Seef Properties; Richard Dean, Master of Ceremonies and Tarik Abdullah Alaklan, Director Of Luxury Accounts, Cenomi Centers.
The speakers discussed how regional owners and developers are assessing a changing market environment, including evolving approaches to risk and return. They shared their perspectives on the current operating landscape and how businesses are navigating market shifts while positioning themselves for the region’s next phase of growth.
‘Brand Retail in the Gulf: Sustaining Growth in a More Demanding Market’ featuring John Hadden, · Chief Executive Officer, Alshaya Group in conversation with David Macadam, CEO, MECSR was focussed on rising consumer expectation across the Gulf and the convergence of shopping and entertainment.
Hadden also outlined how physical and online retail are increasingly aligning and what the region must do to maintain its position as a leading centre for brand retail.
The event continued with ‘Right in the Heart: Reinventing a Legacy Mall for Modern Retail’ featuring Mary Del Dosso, Mall Director, BurJuman and Reef Malls, Al Ghurair Group in talk with David Macadam, CEO, MECSR. Del Dosso discussed the repositioning of BurJuman, one of Dubai’s landmark shopping centres, including its evolving tenant mix, food, community and brand decisions shaping its future.
Day one concluded with a key session ‘AI in Retail: Levelling Up the Operation’ held by Baiju Pappachan, Founder and Managing Director, Raffle_Tech & BUZ Marketing LLC; Nevzat Yavan, Chief Operating Officer, ESAS Properties and Hamdi Kulahcioglu, Senior Partner, Akerio in conversation with David Macadam, CEO, MECSR.
The session focused on the growing use of artificial intelligence across retail operations, from shopping centre platforms to pricing, customer engagement and relationship and brand management. The speakers share their
experiences of implementing AI, its impact on customers and teams, and the opportunities they see for further adoption.
Day two will open with “The Road to Jeddah,” featuring David Macadam, Ayman Alburti (Azad Properties) and Thamer AlAboud, Chairman of the Tourism and Culture Council at Jeddah Chamber, previewing MECSR’s Saudi expansion.
Further sessions include “The Leadership Conversation: What It Takes to Lead Retail at Scale,” featuring Nasser Alajmi (AWJ Real Estate), Neeraj Teckchandani, CEO of Apparel Group, and Nada Ghaoui Abousaab (FIKRA Consultants) as moderator.
“Betting Big on the Gulf: Brands, Markets and the Plans,” featuring Kapil Sethi (GMG) and Majid Algothmi (RED Malls/Azad Properties). “The Holy Cities Opportunity,” featuring Konrad Kolankiewicz (Knowledge Economic City) and Mohammad Iqbal Alawi (Alsarah Holding), with Nada Ghaoui Abousaab (FIKRA Consultants) as moderator and “The Operator’s Playbook: Unlocking the Full Potential of Every Asset,” featuring Jihad Dirani (Abdullah Al Othaim Investment Co); Khaled Abuhamdeh (Al-Futtaim Group); Khalid Aljanahi (Cenomi Centers) and Rony Mourani, CEO of Mall of Qatar, with Richard Dean as moderator.
The programme will close with “The Next Wave: Retail, Dining and Destinations Reshaping the Mall,” featuring Ahmad Alkashakri (Restaurants & Cafés Owners Association) and Todd Pilgreen (Gensler), with David Macadam as moderator, followed by his closing keynote address.
Exhibition and Awards
Alongside the conference, the Retail Congress MENA exhibition will showcase destination malls, retail concepts, real estate developments and specialist services. The programme also features the MECSR Shopping Centre & Retailer MENA Awards, recognising outstanding assets, initiatives and teams across the region.
The MECSR Awards 2026 finalists have been announced, recognising outstanding achievements across the region’s retail and shopping centre industry. For the full list of finalists, please click here MECSR_Awards_Finalists and to attend the Gala Awards, please register at retailcongress.me.
Strong Industry Support
Retail Congress MENA 2026 is supported by leading developers, retail organisations, technology companies and industry partners from across the region.
The event is supported by four Diamond Sponsors: Cenomi Centers, Unified Real Estate Development, Azad Properties | RED Malls, and Al Othaim Investment, alongside Platinum Sponsors Knowledge Economic City Co. and Red Sea Mall. Danah Real Estate and Dalma Mall are Gold Sponsors, while Yardi Systems and Champion Group are Silver Sponsors. MRI Real Estate Software, Giftstarr, BurJuman, Kingdom Centre, and Ground Control Entertainment are Bronze Sponsors.
The event also features Awwal Events and Amusement Services International LLC as Exhibitors. AI Solutions LLC, Chris G Studios, Crystal House Sharjah, Dhamani, Artex, Eleva AI, Fairplatz and Premagic are Support Partners, while Eye of Dubai, Eye of Riyadh, Experience Abu Dhabi and Yardstick Marketing are Media Partners.
Visiting the exhibition only? Register for your Visitor Pass with access limited to the exhibition floor on 6 October.