Registration 

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Opening Remarks

- Luke Jones, CEO, Sound Diplomacy Events & Educations

​​Keynote: Riyadh’s Vision - Music as a Catalyst for Urban Transformation​

To set up the tone for the event, we’ll explore Riyadh’s ambitious vision for leveraging music as a powerful driver of urban development and cultural innovation. This keynote will delve into the transformative potential of music to shape cities, foster community, and create a vibrant, globally connected cultural identity.

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- Paul Pacifico, CEO, the Saudi Music Commision

- Jerry Inzerillo, Group Chief Executive Officer, Diriyah Gate Development Authority

​Panel: Building Riyadh's Music Legacy - Vision & Strategy

Discover how Riyadh is crafting a sustainable and dynamic music legacy in this engaging panel discussion. Industry leaders, policymakers, and cultural strategists will share insights into the vision, strategies, and collaborative efforts shaping the city's musical future. Learn how Riyadh is positioning itself as a global music hub while celebrating its unique cultural heritage.

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- Moderator, Hala Alhedeithy, General Manager, Activation & Programming at Saudi Ministry of Culture

- Gigi Arabia, CEO & Founder, Heavy Arabia Entertainment

- Taymoor Marmarachi, Executive Director MENA, The Recording Academy, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Eleven ™ Entertainment

- Ahmed Alammary (Baloo), House DJ/Producer, Chief Commercial Officer, MDLBEAST

- Rami Zeidan, Managing Director, Billboard Arabia

Networking Coffee Break

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Fireside Chat: Music Hub's role in the Local Music Ecosystem Development

The Saudi Music hubs is a place for creative people, amateurs and professionals, to come together to expand their minds and experiences, through which they become part of a wide Saudi community that motivates cultural growth. In this fireside chat session we will have the head of operations from Saudi Music Hub sharing about their work and how SMH is strengthening the music ecosystem.​

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- Manar Alhawiti, Lifelong & Amateur Education Manager
- Cristina Peregrina, Project Manager, Sound Diplomacy Events & Education

Networking Coffee & Lunch Break

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Masterclass: Creator Rights and Getting Paid in the 21st Century

In today’s digital world, the rise of AI tools and the relevance of streaming platforms are changing what it means to be an artist and what channels their work is being distributed. Under this context, protecting creative work and earning fair compensation have become critical challenges for creators. This masterclass will delve into essential topics like streaming royalties, licensing, and intellectual property, offering practical guidance on navigating the complexities of the industry. Led by experts in the field, the session will cover key topics such as streaming royalties, licensing, and intellectual property, and explore ways creators can navigate the industry and ensure they get paid fairly for their contributions.

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- Jataneel Banerjee, Senior Relationship Manager - Asia, PRS for music (UK)
- Peter Leathem, CEO, Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL)

In Conversation With: Future Strategies for Music Education​

Music Education can be one of the most impactful ways in which music can change the lives of people. It not only provides them with skills that can be applied for a music career, but can also give them a deeper sense of purpose, discipline and mental structures that will allow them to become more fulfilled individuals. This is something reflected in the way young people that are part of a youth orchestra tend to see their overall academic achievement improve. This conversation will focus on innovative and successful models to advance music education. The session will be conducted by leading professionals and their approaches to leveraging strategies, technology, and fostering collaborations to better music education for coming generations.

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- Moderator, Denise Stanley-Chard, Founder & Director, the CLOCK Programme

- Panos Panay, President, The Recording Academy

- Bill Bragin, Executive Artistic Director, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi, Co-Founder & Co-Director, globalFest, Inc

- Ana Flávia Cabral Souza Leite, VP & General Superintendent of the Brazilian Symphony

- Niclas Molinder, President/Founder, Music Rights Awareness Foundation / Salt

Networking Coffee Break

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Panel: Innovative Infrastructure: Place Making for Sustainability via Culture & Music​

Placemaking in cities is all about using creativity for changing the culture of a neighbourhood in an attempt to attract new people to live and carry on all kinds of activities in it. What would happen if, when using music and arts to change a place's culture, we input sustainability (both social and environmental) into the mix? What will be the impact of this on the resilience of the community that will gravitate towards these new spaces? This is what this panel is all about. A session in which we’ll explore how culture and music can drive sustainable urban development. Panelists will discuss strategies for integrating music and cultural initiatives into urban planning, focusing on creating opportunities for economic growth, community engagement, and environment sustainability through cultural initiatives.

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- Moderator, Noof Khonji, Advisor, MOCX, the Saudi Ministry of Culture

- Dr. Sumayah Al-Solaiman, CEO, Architecture Commission

- Kamal Al Nuaimi, Director of Arts, The Royal Commission for Riyadh City

- Carlo Ruiz, Global Policy Advisor, UNDP

- Justin Gerard Dobbin, President of Main Stage Rehearsal

Panel: Music Tourism: The Live Show Industry and its Regional Impact: GCC Perspectives

High-profile live shows are rapidly becoming an important component of the Gulf Cooperation Council's cultural and economic landscape, attracting regional and local audiences, as well as enhancing the overall music tourism experience for visitors. How has the landscape of live music changed in the region in the past couple of years? What are the ways countries are leveraging the live music industry to draw visitors and position cities as music destinations? This panel will explore how live shows and music tourism is impacting the region’s economy, fostering global connections, and enhancing the cultural identity of the Gulf.

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- Moderator - Ray Ahmed, Business Development Lead, PopArabia

- Rajat Malhotra, Partner, Sole

- Ramadan Al Haratani, CEO, MDLBEAST

- Khadija El Bennaoui, Head of Performing Arts, Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism

- Dana Alsaad, Deputy CEO, Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority, Board Member, Al Dana Amphitheatre