RCM23 · 23 and 24 October 2023 · The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC, DubaiThe Year of Reinvestment
Retail Congress MENA 2023, The Year of Reinvestment, met at The Ritz-Carlton DIFC around one idea: that reinvestment is not only financial, but an investment in people, technology and the way retail operates. Keynotes looked at innovation, human-centric technology and growth beyond boundaries, alongside conversations on repositioning destinations and Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
- Footfall visits
- 7,604
- Measured by Sensormatic by Johnson Controls
- Countries
- 40+
- Exhibitors
- 34
- Awards presented
- 83
- 56 Gold · 27 Silver
- Confirmed deal-making meetings
- 90+
Keynotes
- Mastering the future with innovation
Doug StephensThe Retail Prophet - Unleashing potential beyond boundaries
Sonja PiontekKeynote speaker - Envisioning the future of human-centric technology
Sam RadKeynote speaker
The programme
13 sessions · 2 days- KeynoteTechnologies Driving the Future of RetailDoug StephensRetail futurist Doug Stephens on what AI and technology mean for retail, how consumer, staff and executive behaviour is changing, and how digital commerce will evolve.
- FiresideRepositioning City Walk: A Case Study in Picking the Right Tenant MixShahram Shamsaee, Richard DeanHow City Walk evolved over 18 months, and why evaluating the property, the market and a long-term plan matters.
- PresentationRe-Igniting Shopping Places and the Four Pillars of Future ReadinessIbrahim IbrahimHow shopping places can respond to rapidly changing audience expectations.
- FiresideEvolving Retail Spaces for TomorrowFahed Ghanim, Richard DeanHow retail strategy is moving from traditional leasing to curated space, and the case for digital change, data-driven decisions and closer collaboration between retailers and landlords.
- PanelF&B Repositioning: Challenges and OpportunitiesWill Odwarka, Lee Talbott, Phil McArthurSuccessful examples of F&B reinvestment from around the world: the challenges, the strategies and the results.
- FiresideThe Empowerment of Vision 2030Alison Rehill-Erguven, David MacadamHow Cenomi Centers' corporate strategy is linked to Vision 2030 in its day-to-day business.
- FiresideSaudi Arabia's Vision 2030 TransformationMeshaal Bin Omairh, David MacadamHow Al Othaim Investment's urban development projects contribute to Vision 2030, with a focus on Riyadh and tier 2 cities.
- KeynoteHow the Retail Industry Is Set to Benefit from the Coming TechnologiesSam RadFuturist Sam Rad on emerging technology and cultural trends, and the potential of blockchain in the GCC.
- KeynoteIn the Retail World, Change Is Ever PresentSonja PiontekWhy stepping outside the comfort zone matters, and the habits that help people and businesses excel.
- PanelUnlocking the Latest Marketing Trends: Today's Innovations in Promoting RetailMyf Bagnold, Daniel Finley, Koral Ibrahim, Nada Ghaoui AbousaabMarketing strategies and tools from London to Dubai and Riyadh, from ChatGPT and omnichannel to sustainability and customer experience.
- PanelLeveraging Technology and Entertainment to Drive Innovation in Retail Development and OperationMohamed Attia, Ilona Rose, Rachel KidwellHow the convergence of technology and entertainment is reshaping retail development and operations.
- PanelTechnology in Retail Real EstateCem Eric, Said Haider, David MacadamHow real-time information and digital tools ease the load on mall operators and improve the customer experience.
- PanelThe Future of Places People LoveGerard Groener, Roel van den Berg, Richard DeanCELS on creating gathering places within shopping malls that people genuinely love.
RCM23 speakers
24 speakers
Doug StephensFounder and President, Retail ProphetRead bioHide bioDoug Stephens is a globally recognised retail and consumer futurist, international bestselling author, Fortune 100 business adviser and founder of the consultancy Retail Prophet.
Shahram ShamsaeeChief Executive Officer, Merex Investment GroupRead bioHide bioShahram Shamsaee is Chief Executive Officer of Merex Investment Group, a joint venture between Dubai Holding and Brookfield Asset Management that manages destinations including City Walk and The Beach JBR. He has more than 28 years of real estate experience in the Middle East and the United States.
Richard DeanRadio Anchor, Dubai Eye 103.8Profile →
Ibrahim IbrahimManaging Director, Portland DesignRead bioHide bioIbrahim Ibrahim is Managing Director of Portland Design, the London-based place strategy, branding and retail design business founded in 1987 and part of the Perkins&Will group. Portland works on shopping centres, airports, mixed-use developments and urban regeneration.
Fahed GhanimChief Executive Officer, Lifestyle, Majid Al FuttaimRead bioHide bioFahed Ghanim is CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Lifestyle, managing brands across home, fashion, beauty and speciality retail and leading omnichannel expansion. The business runs more than 65 stores and 18 digital platforms across MENA, with exclusive rights to names including lululemon, LEGO and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Lee TalbottDirector, Retail Portfolio, RoshnRead bioHide bioLee Talbott is Director of Retail Portfolio at Roshn, responsible for strategy and asset management across the developer's retail portfolio. He has more than 30 years of leasing and asset management on major projects in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, the UK, Australia and China.
Meshaal Bin OmairhGroup CEO, Al Othaim InvestmentRead bioHide bioMeshaal Bin Omairh is Group CEO of Al Othaim Investment, with more than 25 years in finance at multinational companies, covering corporate governance, funding and financial restructuring.
Sam RadFounder, Radical NextRead bioHide bioSam Rad (Samantha Radocchia) is a futurist, bestselling author and frontier technology pioneer, and founder of Radical Next, a media studio and strategic consultancy shaping stories and experiences about the future.
Sonja PiontekExecutive Coach and AuthorRead bioHide bioSonja Piontek is an international keynote speaker, bestselling author and executive coach. She left her role as Director of Marketing for BMW Asia in 2017 to start her own business.
Myf BagnoldGroup Chief Marketing Officer, CenomiRead bioHide bioMyf Bagnold joined Cenomi Group as Group Chief Marketing Officer in 2022, with two decades of retail and real estate marketing at Westfield, Nestlé, NEOM and IWG.
Daniel FinleyChief Executive Officer, DebenhamsRead bioHide bioDaniel Finley joined Debenhams as Chief Executive Officer in January 2022 to transform the British heritage brand digitally. He previously spent a decade as Group Multichannel Director at JD Sports Fashion.
Mohamed AttiaGeneral Manager, Entertainment, Al Hokair GroupRead bioHide bioMohamed Attia joined Al Hokair Group in Riyadh in 2021 as General Manager of Entertainment, with more than 20 years in organisational development and management in the leisure sector.
Ilona RoseHead of Retail, Adelaide Airport, AustraliaRead bioHide bioIlona Rose is a senior executive specialising in revenue optimisation, with experience across shopping centres and airports in Australia, including as Head of Retail at Adelaide Airport.
Cem EricChief Executive Officer, ESAS PropertiesRead bioHide bioCem Eric is Chief Executive Officer of ESAS Properties, with over 30 years in banking, retail and real estate. In retail he led the growth of international brands including Ralph Lauren, Sephora and Tommy Hilfiger across Türkiye, Russia and Eastern Europe, and moved into real estate in 2009.
Said HaiderSenior Director, YardiRead bioHide bioSaid Haider leads sales and business development for Yardi in the region, with more than 16 years of experience, 10 of them at Yardi, driving revenue growth through his knowledge of real estate and technology.
Gerard GroenerConsultant, CELS GroupRead bioHide bioGerard Groener has more than 35 years in developing and operating retail real estate. He was CEO of Corio NV for seven years and later joined IKEA to merge its global shopping centre portfolio into one company.
Roel van den BergConsultant, CELS GroupRead bioHide bioRoel van den Berg spent two decades in business development and innovation in food retail at Royal Ahold before setting up on his own, always starting from the consumer's needs.
Will OdwarkaOwner, Heartatwork Hospitality ConsultingRead bioHide bioWill Odwarka is founder and CEO of Heartatwork Hospitality Consulting, established in Dubai in 2019, with over 30 years in international growth and market entry. He has opened more than 1,000 outlets in over 40 countries for brands including McDonald's, Starbucks and Burger King.
Phil McArthurChairman, McArthur Retail Development SpecialistsRead bioHide bioPhil McArthur is founder and Chairman of Dubai-based McArthur Retail Development Specialists, working with developers on leasing, asset management and investment. He previously held senior roles at Ivanhoe Cambridge and Al Futtaim Group Real Estate, is a three-time ICSC Maxi Award winner and was President of MECSR from 1999 to 2000.
Alison Rehill-ErguvenChief Executive Officer, Cenomi CentersRead bioHide bioAlison Rehill-Erguven has over 25 years of experience in shopping centres and real estate across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. Before joining Cenomi Centers in 2022, she was CEO of Pradera Retail Asia.
David MacadamChief Executive Officer, MECSRProfile →
Koral IbrahimFounder and Managing Director, The Ready HouseRead bioHide bioKoral Ibrahim is founder and Managing Director of The Ready House, which gets places ready for community growth and commercial gain.
Nada Ghaoui AbousaabCo-founder and Partner, FIKRA ConsultantsProfile →
Rachel KidwellFounder and CEO, TCPinpointRead bioHide bioRachel Kidwell is founder of the proptech platform TCPinpoint, launched in 2016, with experience across property, technology and innovation, including Adelaide Airport's terminal expansion.