International Music Summit (IMS) is Coming to Dubai in 2024
The new summit brings together pioneering artists, thought leaders, and key industry figures to explore the intersections of finance, technology, and culture in the MENA region — taking place November 14 - 15 at W Hotel Dubai.
International Music Summit (IMS) is expanding to the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region this year with its inaugural edition of IMS Dubai — set to take place November 14-15 at W Hotel Dubai - Mina Seyahi.
The two-day summit will bring together pioneering artists, thought leaders and key industry stakeholders to explore the intersection of music, finance, culture and technology in the MENA region. With a focus on investment, entrepreneurship, and business growth, IMS Dubai will serve as a forum for professionals and artists to explore emerging trends and capitalise on new opportunities, while celebrating the innovative music and rich cultural heritage of the MENA region, spotlighting the artists, collectives, and visionaries driving its evolution.
The choice of Dubai as the host city is a testament to the region's growing influence in the global music scene. As a vibrant cultural hub, Dubai is renowned for its rich tapestry of traditions and its dynamic, forward-thinking approach to the arts. The city's thriving nightlife and burgeoning DJ scene make it a natural fit for IMS. This move highlights Dubai’s unique position at the crossroads of East and West, making it an ideal location to foster cross-cultural exchanges and inspire new collaborations within the electronic music community.
The summit has locked key speakers from across the music industry, including regional talent buyers, event experts, international brands such as Tomorrowland and HE.SHE.THEY., and participating artists with roots in the region, including Deep Dish, Gawdat, Saliah, Yasmeen Selectress, Parvané, and as always, will be hosted by world-famous BBC Radio 1 broadcaster Pete Tong.
Industry leaders from countries across the MENA region, including but not limited to, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE, will join international speakers in discussing the following first announced topics:
● Navigating the Music Industry in the MENA region
● Culture Tourism: Dubai & Ibiza Duality
● Meet the Investors in the MENA region
● Meet the Talent Buyers of the MENA region
● The Growth of Labels & Streaming in the MENA Region
● Discovering Dubai's Underground Scene & Culture
● Market Focus: Egypt presented by SceneNoise
● Keynote Interview: Deep Dish
● Defining A Sound: The Sound of A Region with Stryv
● Evolving IP in the Music Industry: The Next Growth Engine
● MENA Women In Music presented by Little Pink Book
● Get Played, Get Paid: Royalties in the Middle East (AFEM)
● Taking Arabic Artists to the Global Stage
In addition to the dynamic daytime agenda, IMS Dubai will host a series of exclusive evening events featuring the best local and international talent. The Thursday night will be hosted by local underground collective Duck Soup at Farrago, W Dubai - Mina Seyahi bringing exciting local talent Mo Ezabyy (Egypt) & Zenim (Jordan) to the decks, followed by an after party showcasing the most exciting female talent from the region at Soho Garden’s Playroom. The summit will culminate with a closing celebration at leading Dubai venue Hive, Soho Garden, showcasing electronic music artists from Dubai and beyond.
IMS Dubai is your gateway to connecting with the future of electronic music and DJ culture in one of the most vibrant and dynamic regions of the world.
