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Retail Congress MENA
RCM26: Level Up: Next-Gen LeadershipRCM26 · Level UpPost-event report

RCM26, in full.

Retail Congress MENA 2026, under the theme “Level Up: Next-Gen Leadership”. Every session, number, partner and winner from 5 and 6 October at the Ritz-Carlton DIFC, Dubai.

Download the report (PDF, 9.5 MB)Open the photo albums

The numbers

Footfall visits
4,327
Measured by Sensormatic by Johnson Controls
Countries
43
Exhibitors
14
Awards presented
136
37 Gold · 99 Silver
Speakers
29
Sessions
12

Sessions

The full programme →
Day 1 · Monday 5 October
Dubai's Retail and Tourism Agenda: The View from the CityMohammed Feras Arayqat6 minThe Human Future: AI, Happiness and How We Will Live, Work and GatherMo Gawdat47 minNEXT | Leading Through the New RealitiesAlain Bejjani24 minCapital and Confidence: Navigating the Region's Next ChapterGogi George, Shane Eldstrom, Duaij Al Rumaihi, Tarik Abdullah Alaklan31 minBrand Retail in the Gulf: Sustaining Growth in a More Demanding MarketJohn Hadden21 minRight in the Heart: Reinventing a Legacy Mall for Modern RetailMary Del Dosso20 minAI in Retail: Levelling Up the OperationBaiju Pappachan, Nevzat Yavan, Hamdi Kulahcioglu24 min
Day 2 · Tuesday 6 October
The Leadership Conversation: What It Takes to Lead Retail at ScaleNasser Alajmi, Neeraj Teckchandani20 minBetting Big on the Gulf: Brands, Markets and the PlansKapil Sethi, Majid Algothmi21 minThe Holy Cities Opportunity: A New Generation of Retail for Visitors and ResidentsKonrad Kolankiewicz, Mohammad Iqbal Alawi26 minThe Operator's Playbook: Unlocking the Full Potential of Every AssetJihad Dirani, Khaled Abuhamdeh, Khalid Aljanahi, Rony Mourani27 minThe Next Wave: Retail, Dining and Destinations Reshaping the MallAhmad Alkashakri, Todd Pilgreen24 min

The Level Up Wall

Find yourself in the albums →

Who was in the room

SeniorityAll sectors
  • Owner or board9%
  • C-suite24%
  • Director or VP18%
  • Head or manager38%
  • Specialist or executive11%

Thank you to our partners

DiamondCenomi Centers, Unified Real Estate Development, Azad Properties and RED Malls, Abdullah Al Othaim Investment Company
  • Cenomi Centers
  • Unified Real Estate Development
  • Azad Properties and RED Malls
  • Abdullah Al Othaim Investment Company
PlatinumKnowledge Economic City, Red Sea Mall
  • Knowledge Economic City
  • Red Sea Mall
GoldDalma Mall, Al Rashid Mall, Danah Real Estate
  • Dalma Mall
  • Al Rashid Mall, Danah Real Estate
SilverChampion Group, Yardi Systems
  • Champion Group
  • Yardi Systems
BronzeBurJuman, Giftstarr, Ground Control Entertainment, Kingdom Centre, MRI Software
  • BurJuman
  • Giftstarr
  • Ground Control Entertainment
  • Kingdom Centre
  • MRI Software
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ExhibitorAmusement Services International, Awwal Events
  • Amusement Services International
  • Awwal Events
Airline partnerSaudia
  • Saudia
Support partnerAI Solutions, Chris G Studios, Crystal House, Inhouse Graphics, Premagic, Eleva AI, Sensormatic, Dusoul by Dhamani, Artex, Fairplatz
  • AI Solutions
  • Chris G Studios
  • Crystal House
  • Inhouse Graphics
  • Premagic
  • Eleva AI
  • Sensormatic
  • Dusoul by Dhamani
  • Artex
  • Fairplatz
Tap the banner to pause or resume it.
Media partnerEye of Riyadh, Eye of Dubai, Experience Abu Dhabi, Yardstick Marketing
  • Eye of Riyadh
  • Eye of Dubai
  • Experience Abu Dhabi
  • Yardstick Marketing
Tap the banner to pause or resume it.

The exhibition

Stands and the prospectus →
The exhibition floor at Retail Congress MENA 2026The exhibition floor at Retail Congress MENA 2026The exhibition floor at Retail Congress MENA 2026
Abdullah Al Othaim Investment Company36 m²
Al Rashid Mall, Danah Real Estate12 m²
Amusement Services International18.75 m²
Awwal Events9 m²
Azad Properties and RED Malls22.5 m²
Cenomi Centers31.5 m²
Dalma Mall12 m²
Giftstarr6 m²
Ground Control Entertainment9 m²
Knowledge Economic City22.5 m²
MRI Software6 m²
Red Sea Mall18.75 m²
Unified Real Estate Development31.5 m²
Yardi Systems18 m²

Shopping Centre & Retailer MENA Awards

All 2026 winners →
Awards presented
136
Gold
37
Silver
99
Independent jurors
23
The jury
  • Barry McGettiganVice President, Property Development, Landmark Group
  • Bhupinder SinghGeneral Manager & CFO, Dalma Mall
  • Clair Stuart-MentethFounder and Managing Director, Sticky Red
  • Hussain Kareem JamalIndependent Consultant, Business Growth & Transformation
  • Kabir MalkaniManaging Director, Sai Control Crafts
  • Lina AbbasGeneral Manager, Leasing, Sales & Property Management, Mudon Ahlia Real Estate
and 17 more industry leaders.Meet the jury →
How entries are judged
  1. 1Scored independentlySeveral judges from across the industry score each entry on their own, while the round is open.
  2. 2Against set criteriaEach criterion is scored out of 10, and the criteria are weighted to suit the category.
  3. 3Fair by designJudges step aside from any entry they worked on, from their own employer and from direct competitors, and every judge signs a confidentiality agreement.
No awardSilverGold
07085100
How judging works →

In the press

RCM26 in 27 articles across 20 outlets, in English and Arabic, from the first announcement to the closing day.

Press
Articles
27
In English and Arabic
Outlets
20
Online and in print
Interviews
18
At the congress
Signing ceremonies
7
On the show floor
Digital reach
Social impressions and views
142,071
LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
Video views
56,162
Across social channels
Professionals reached by email
11,069
38.8% average open rate
Magazine page views
8,012
Retail People special edition, 60 countries
On LinkedIn
A great event, meaningful conversations, and valuable insights into the future of retail.
Zaheer AhmedHead of Global Marketing, Xpandretail
The networking opportunities were fantastic and gave everyone a chance to forge new partnerships.
Shadab AhmedManager, Property Management, ITHRA Dubai
A valuable opportunity to strengthen industry relationships, showcase our projects, and explore new leasing opportunities and potential partnerships.
Hossam AlghamdiLeasing and property management, Azad Properties
Always great to reconnect with friends and industry colleagues from across the GCC, exchange ideas, and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
Wesam AbboudInternational Leasing Manager, Reef Group
A truly enriching experience contributing to the recognition of industry excellence.
Sudarshan SinghMarketing Director, Hamat (MENA Awards juror)
An opportunity to exchange insights and expertise, while exploring the key trends and opportunities shaping the future of retail.
Cenomi CentersCompany post
  • On the show floorGiftstarr announced a strategic partnership with Al Ghurair, alongside NymCard, at Retail Congress MENA.Giftstarr, LinkedIn
  • On the show floorEleva AI, Official AI Partner, ran the congress's own assistant, REVA: agenda, speakers, exhibitors and directions to any stand from the attendee's phone.Eleva AI, LinkedIn

Excerpts from public posts, quoted unedited. Follow MECSR on LinkedIn (opens in a new tab)

Before the congress
Day 1 · 5 October
Day 2 · 6 October