10:30 - 11:10

From Niche to Necessity: The Penetration of Sustainable Tech in META

Jacky Chan, ESG Project Manager, CONTEXT

Explore the rapidly evolving landscape of sustainable technology adoption within the META market. This session unveils exclusive META distribution data, spotlighting the increasing emphasis on sustainability in procurement. Discover the growing significance of ecolabels like EPEAT and TCO, evidenced by Saudi Arabia's impressive >90% adoption rate of EPEAT ecolabels within distribution in 2025 YTD, with over 60% achieving EPEAT Gold. We will benchmark this progress and compare it with trends in the UAE, Turkey, and Europe. We will analyse the market positioning and pricing of sustainable products in the META region. Furthermore, we will present data on product carbon footprints and explore the expanding market for remanufactured and refurbished PCs, with a focus on the UAE's circular economy initiatives. 

 

11:10 - 11:40
From Empty Chair to AI Twin: Real‑Time Consumer Intelligence for the AI Era

Vivek Bhargava, Co-Founder, ProfitWheel

Traditional consumer research is losing relevance—slow surveys, tiny samples, and siloed geographies can’t keep pace with consumers who pivot in seconds and buy from anywhere. In this talk, Vivek Bhargava reveals how deterministic, behavior‑based data and large language models (LLMs) are rewriting the rules. Using the “empty customer chair” analogy made famous by Jeff Bezos, Vivek introduces AI Twins—digital, always‑on replicas of every key segment. These Twins observe rather than guess, delivering a 360° view across media habits, motivations, and purchase journeys in real time. Why yesterday’s sampling methods fail modern brands and how to replace them with live, global data streams.

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11:40 - 12:10

From Screen to Scroll: Embracing the Power of Vertical Video in the Age of Mobile-First Consumers

Alex Von Harsdorf, Co-Founder & CEO, Livebuy

Mobile devices have redefined consumer behavior — and video now reigns supreme as the preferred medium for discovering, connecting, and purchasing. Today’s audiences don’t read, they watch. This shift is transforming the face of online retail, with frontrunners like Zalando, Douglas, and MediaMarktSaturn adapting swiftly, while platforms like Shein and Temu set new standards. In this session, we’ll explore how video and social commerce are reshaping the market, unpack key success stories from retail pioneers, and share actionable insights for integrating mobile video into your own strategy.

 

12:10 - 12:30

Roundtable: Is Social Selling a Threat or Opportunity For Retail?

Moderated by Alex Von Harsdorf, Co-Founder & CEO, Livebuy

Buying through socials and live shopping is a big trend in many markets across the globe but as this market develops, will it be a threat to retail or is it a golden opportunity to engage and interact with customers. This interactive session will cover both sides of the coin with audience participation actively encouraged.

 

12:30 - 13:00

Journey To a Sustainable and Greener Future

Chad Damin, Sales Director MEA, Targus

Targus is creating positive change. As a leader in laptop cases and tech accessories, we are on a mission to make sustainability part of our DNA by putting people and the planet first.

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13:00 -14:30 - LUNCH​

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14:30 - 15:00​

From Trash to Tokens: How Impact2Earn is Redefining Recycling with AI, Blockchain & Digital rewards.

Sergei Ivanov, Co-Founder & CEO, Impact2Earn | BANTgo Technologies

Impact2Earn is an AI and blockchain-powered recycling rewards platform that transforms everyday recycling into real-world value using traceable digital assets and utility tokens. Originally launched in Europe and now established in Dubai—where they have their largest presence. They are now conducting market tests in the northeastern U.S. The platform rewards individuals for recycling while enabling ecosystem partners to track, scale, and report on ESG impact. Their marketplace redemption partners—ranging from retailers to local service providers—benefit through increased customer traffic, deeper engagement, and purpose-driven loyalty. In this session, they will share key lessons from their journey with the venture capital process, Transitioning internationally and scaling from prototype to revenue generating business in UAE.

 

15:00 - 15:30

Unlocking Opportunities: Consumer Tech Industry Trends

Gurpeet Aulakh, Senior Manager, APP Retail Vertical

Insights from NIQ GfK

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15:30 - 15:40 - Coffee Break

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15:40 - 16:20

Roundtable: The Hard Sell - Barriers to Higher AI Product Adoption Rates and How to Overcome Them

Fahed Bizari, AI Empowerment Specialist

The consumer tech industry is relying on the next wave of AI enabled products to drive demand and volume sales in the channel. While talk of AI is everywhere, sales of AI PCs and other products are not reflective of the media hype. Vendors and their channel partners face a challenge to close the gap and convert potential into demand at a retail level. This session should take the form of an informative dialogue to ascertain what the main barriers are, how the industry can work together to overcome them, and strategies to generate excitement at a consumer level.

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FORUM END

 

16:20 - 16:40 COFFEE BREAK AND NETWORKING

 

16:40 - 18:00 EXHIBITION AREA VISIT & INFORMAL MEETINGS

 

20:00 - 00:00 AWARDS & GALA DINNER