The International Music Summit (IMS) has revealed its first-ever event in Dubai, scheduled to occur at the W Hotel – Mina Seyahi this November.
In a significant development, the inaugural IMS Dubai will take place on November 14th and 15th at the W Hotel – Mina Seyahi. This event aims to explore the converging realms of music, culture, finance, and technology, with notable speakers from YouTube, Warner Music Group, Anghami, Billboard Arabia, Believe, Pop Arabia, and Reed Smith. Attendees will include stakeholders and industry specialists from Soho Garden, Groove On The Grass, Oasis Festival, and Factory People.
The IMS serves as a pivotal event for the global electronic music scene, analyzing industry data, trends, innovations, and challenges. For the past 17 years, IMS has been synonymous with Ibiza, but with the growth of the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, IMS is now expanding to the United Arab Emirates. This two-day event, in collaboration with AlphaTheta and Beatport, will focus on investment, entrepreneurship, and business growth in the region. The press release emphasizes that, “[the] 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.”
Confirmed speakers include Maha ElNabawi, Managing Editor of Billboard Arabia, Aloki Batra, CEO of Five Hospitality & The Pacha Group, Janet Ashak, Head of Music MENA at YouTube, and Karima Damir, Director of A&R MENA at Warner Music ME. Featured artists include Iranian house duo Deep Dish, Abdell Rahman from the Egyptian duo Gawdat, British-Lebanese producer Saliah, Yasmeen Selectress from Egypt, rising French/Iranian talent Parvané, and Pakistani-born producer Stryv.
Major global brands will also participate, featuring Tomorrowland, CA, WME, Defected, He.She.They., and AFEM: Association for Electronic Music. The event will be hosted by IMS co-founder Pete Tong.
“For nearly two decades, the International Music Summit (IMS) has brought the global electronic music community together in Ibiza, exploring industry trends, innovations, and the challenges our diverse community faces. To drive global impact, IMS positions itself where change occurs, previously hosting three editions of IMS Asia Pacific in Shanghai and one in Singapore, five IMS Engage events in Los Angeles, and three IMS College events in Malta. The debut of IMS Dubai in the United Arab Emirates signifies strategic growth into the Middle East and North Africa. Controlled primarily by Beatport, IMS will not receive any government or cultural funding for this initiative. Our mission is to foster growth, support, and investment while addressing the specific cultural challenges encountered by musicians and startups. Electronic music culture thrives on the principles of inclusivity and diversity on the dancefloor, demonstrating that music can unite. We all play a role in creating safer spaces for everyone, a principle IMS and Beatport proudly endorse.”
IMS Founders, Press Release
For further details on IMS Dubai at the W Hotel – Mina Seyahi on November 14th and 15th, click here.
