Appointments/events
The top hires and key calendar dates
FEBRUARY 13-14 The Retail Summit 2019 The Atlantis Hotel, The Palm theretailsummit.com
The founder of Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson, leads a stellar line up of speakers at The Retail Summit in Dubai, which also includes Jo Malone, Huda Kattan, and HE Hamad Buamim. This year’s summit will discuss the intersection of retail, technology, experience and hospitality, focussing on digital disruption and the change in consumer expectations. Around 800 attendees are expected the two-day event, including more than 400 C-suite executives.
FEBRUARY 20-21 Internet of Things 2019 Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa iot-dxb.com
Now in its third year, the Internet of Things conference focuses on business opportunities based on IoT and how entrepreneurs can formulate strategies, business models, and structures. The conference will host more than 35 speakers who will discuss various IoT topics, and 400 visitors who will have the opportunity to learn from hands-on case studies, insights, networking, and more. Day one will primarily feature talks and panels, while day two will include various workshops.
FEBRUARY 17-21 Gulfood 2019 Dubai World Trade Centre gulfood.com
The world’s largest food trade show returns for its 24th edition, with an expected 98,000 visitors and 5,000 exhibitors taking part under the theme ‘The World of Good. The World of Food.’ The event will feature international brands showcasing their latest products and services throughout 1 million sqft of arena, with 120 country pavilions across eight primary market sectors from world food and power brands to health, to beverages, dairy, and meat and poultry.
FEBRUARY 25-27 National Cybersecurity Week Oman Sheraton Oman Hotel, Muscat ncd.cert.gov.om
Organised by Oman National CERT in cooperation with ITU Arab Regional Cybersecurity Centre, National Cybersecurity Week Oman aims to provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss and develop real-time response and recovery in light of increasing cyber threats. Sectors including energy, defence, aviation, finance, hospitality and more will be represented at the event, which will feature keynote presentations, case studies, panel discussion, new tech demonstrations, and more.
FEBRUARY 17-21 IDEX 2019 Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre idexuae.ae
This biennial exhibition and conference demonstrates the latest technology within the land, sea and air defence sectors. It is a unique platform to establish and strengthen relationships with government departments, businesses, and armed forces across the region, and features 12 indoor exhibition halls, outdoor space, live demonstrations and more, including the International Defence Conference which this year will focus on the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
FEBRUARY 26 – MARCH 2 Dubai International Boat Show Dubai Canal, Jumeirah boatshowdubai.com
The ever-popular boat show will showcase the finest luxury superyachts and leisure craft from around the world. Boat buyers, sellers, manufacturers and enthusiasts will gather to experience the latest in yacht technology and design, the feshest products and services, and more. More than 450 crafts will be on show, with a mix of family entertainment and live events on hand for the more than 28,000 expected visitors from across the globe.