Agenda - Day 1 | Free Seminars on Vision 2030, Event Tech & Talent Strategy

Saudi Event Show 2025 - Seminar Agenda

Showing 2 of 2 Streams

Seminar Hub 1 - Local Spotlight

Seminar Hub 2 - Global Innovation

11:30 - 12:15

Opening – Saudi Arabia: An Ongoing Process of Achieving An Ultimate Destination for Events

12:30 - 13:15Keynote

Experience as the New Currency – Unlocking Event Success Through Experiential Marketing

Maria Tkachenko - Founder and Creative Director, Artnovi

13:30 - 14:00Keynote

Crafting Transformative Saudi Spaces: The Intersection of Architecture, Culture, Art, and Experience

Hibah AlBakree - Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Designlab Experience

14:15 - 15:00Panel Discussion

Saudi Talent 2.0: How to Build, Retain & Scale a World-Class Events Workforce

Faisal Al-Alamy - General Counsel, MDLBeast
Yousef Albitar - Projects Director, YAX
Peter Boyack - Commercial Director, Event Lab
Asmaa Ghalayini - Head of HR, Electra
Turki AlAhmadi - General Manager, Gallowglass
Eihab H. Abou-Rokbah - CEO, Saudi Entertainment & Event Management Academy

15:15 - 15:45Panel Discussion

Greenprint for the Future: How Sustainability is Becoming Mandatory in Saudi Event Licensing

Adam Rhodes - Events Sector Leader, Aggreko
James Mistry - Founder & Managing Director, JAM Event Services
Hanzala Younis - Health and Safety Trainer, Saudi Entertainment Academy
James Morgan - Principal Consultant, Jadarah Business Consulting

16:00 - 16:45Panel Discussion

Creative Economies and Cultural Diplomacy: Vision 2030’s Event-Driven Soft Power Strategy

Aiala Hernando - Head of Arts & Culture, Electra
Dharam Kapoor - CEO & Founder, Advisors 360
Sidh NC - Co-Founder & Managing Director, QnA International
Shenin Hamid - CEO, Inspire Events and Activations
Sven Schuster - Head of Client Success, BeWunder
Vivien Exartier - Executive Director, Saudi Entertainment Academy (SEA)

17:00 - 17:30Panel Discussion

From the Sidelines to Center Stage: How Saudi’s Sports Strategy Is Powering the Road to World Cup 2034

Spencer Hidge - Founder & CEO, Premier Sports Network
John Jossifakis - Head of Events & Ceremonies, AFC Asian Cup 2027 Local Organizing Committee
Mark Jan Kar - General Manager, Legends Global
Daniel Dinapoli - Senior Vice President - Operations, Oak View Group
Faddy Sadideen - Marketing & Visitor Experience Professional, KSA Giga Projects

17:45 - 18:30Panel Discussion

Innovative Spaces: How New Trends in Venue Design are Shaping Event Delivery in Saudi Arabia

Imad M. Bitar - General Manager, Onyx Arena
Anthony Frost - Head of Operations, Onyx Arena
Angela Selkirk - Senior Advisor, King Salman Park Foundation
Dan Harris - Consultant - Venue Planning & Mobilisation, Oak View Group

18:45 - 19:30Workshop

The Power of Collaboration: Bringing Together Events & Entertainment

Abdurrahman Al Arefi - Executive Creative Director, TIME
Julia Voronova - Head of Events Department, BuildUp
Jimi Elgohary - Co-Founder & Creative Executive Director, Mistika

11:30 - 12:15

Opening – Saudi Arabia: An Ongoing Process of Achieving An Ultimate Destination for Events

12:30 - 13:15Panel Discussion

The Future of Freelance: How to Build Strong, Scalable Project Teams

Mayada Maged - Managing Partner, Staff Arabia HRO Group
Ala Al Khairalla - Head of Operations - KSA, THA Staffing
Nizzar Melki - Account Director - KSA, JAM Event Services - JAM People
Sola Jabbour - Co-Founder & Managing Director, Fifteen Eleven Events

13:30 - 14:00Keynote

The Sound of Success: Investing in Audio Technology for Future-Ready Venues

Malcolm Giles - Senior Director of Venue Services, Coca-Cola Arena
Brad Maiden - General Manager, d&b audiotechnik Middle East

14:15 - 15:00Panel Discussion

Programming for Prestige: Filling Saudi's New Venues

Jasper Hope - Advisor, The Royal Commission for Riyadh City
Santiago Olea - General Manager, KAFD Conference Center
Khouloud Ben Khalifa - General Manager, Rotana Music Company
Douglas Gautier - CEO & Artistic Director, Adelaide Festival Centre
Shelley Frost - Founder & Director, The Fridge

15:15 - 15:45Panel Discussion

Hyper-Personalization at Scale: How AI is Redefining the Saudi Event Experience

Sujoy Cherian - Founder & CEO Option 1 Events • Creative Technologist • Serial Entrepreneur • Technology • Content, Option 1 Events
Tony Lehal - Partnerships & Creative Director, Eventagrate
Faris Al-Shehri - Business Development Director, Rayqube
Laurent le Guyader - Head of Business Operations, KUDO
Adam Parry - Co-Founder, Event Tech Live

16:00 - 16:45Panel Discussion

Designing Memorable: Entertainment Curating Experiences That Align with Your Event’s Vision

Luna Araja - Creative Lead, The Hanging House
Jimi Elgohary - Co-Founder & Creative Executive Director, Mistika
Simone Condon - Director of Production, MENA, TAIT
Mais El-Ras - Head of Customer Success, Eventagrate
Dan Harris - Consultant - Venue Planning & Mobilisation, Oak View Group
Shelley Frost - Founder & Director, The Fridge

17:00 - 17:30Keynote

Designing Desire: The Psychology Behind High-Impact Luxury Events

Gauri Chadha - Co-Founder & Creative Director, The Big Night

18:00 - 19:00Workshop

Empowering the Next Generation – Skills, Pathways & Partnerships for Saudi Youth

Melanie Lemnios - Executive Producer, TAIT
Matt Glynn - International Development & KSA General Manager, The Academy of Live Technology
Jonny Wood - Global Trainer and Training Manager, ALT KSA
Feras Gashgari - Senior Manager – Operational Training & Development, Six Flags Qiddiya & Aquarabia Qiddiya City

19:15 - 19:45Keynote

From Local to Global: Driving Event ROI with AI Speech Translation

Laurent le Guyader - Head of Business Operations, KUDO

Day 1 | Free Seminars on Vision 2030, Event Tech & Talent StrategyWednesday, 17 September 2025 - AT (Arabian Time, GMT+03:00)