IMS Dubai 2025 reveals first speakers and key themes
September 3, 2025
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IMS Dubai 2025 poster. Credits: International Music Summit
International Music Summit (IMS) Dubai has revealed the first wave of speakers, topics, and event partners for its second edition, taking place from 12–16 November 2025. Returning under the banner Beatport Presents IMS Dubai, the summit positions itself once again as a key forum for dialogue and exchange within the global and regional electronic music industry.
HUGEL, Nicole Moudaber & Bedouin Join Co-Hosts Pete Tong & Nooriyah
Hosted by IMS co-founder Pete Tong and Saudi-born, UK-based DJ and presenter Nooriyah, the programme will welcome an influential roster of voices. Among them: French hitmaker HUGEL as keynote speaker, Lebanese-British techno mainstay Nicole Moudaber, transnational duo Bedouin, Egypt’s house specialist Misty, and Lebanese DJ-producer Rolbac. Industry leaders including ADDMIND partner Elie Saba, Beatport CCO Sofia Ilyas, Meta’s Samer Jamal, and Factory People co-founder Jade will also contribute. The summit will further host the MENA premiere of TAKKUK, the new film by acclaimed Northern Irish duo Bicep.
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The launch of Beatport Presents IMS Dubai last year showed just how much energy, creativity and ambition exists in our community in the SWANA region. Electronic music here is on an exciting upward trajectory, creatively, culturally, and as an evolving market with exciting opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Pete Tong
IMS Dubai 2024 conference attendes at the W hotel pool. Credits: International Music Summit
Industry Heavyweights From AddMind, Berklee Abu Dhabi, Meta & more
Programming will address topics ranging from Lebanon’s music economy, the role of AI in production, and grassroots festival culture to the growing influence of diaspora identity and the interplay between music and fashion. A new mentorship initiative, MENA Women in Music, powered by Little Pink Book, will also launch during the event.
Complementing the conference, a dedicated “Finance & Technology” room will spotlight developments across web3, gaming, investment, and production, while a networking floor hosted by Mixmag UAE and Kiss FM will feature live DJ sets.
IMS Dubai 2024 conference attendes. Credits: International Music Summit
First Speakers (from A-Z)
Ahmed El Ganzoury – CEO & Founder, GNK Group | Ahmed Hameed – Co-Founder, Soundscapes/Noctuary | Amira Guetif – Project Manager, Sole DXB | Ayman Hariri - Co-Founder & CEO - VERO | Baloo – Creative Director, MDLBEAST | Cynthia Nasr; Co-Founder, Minab Studios | Dimitri Khater – Founder, Hide Doha | Emile Hokayem– Founder, Aegis Festival | Elie Saba – Managing Partner, ADDMIND Hospitality | Fady Nageed – Content Director, Dazed MENA | Farsa – Artist | James Khoury – Managing Director, Hot Axis | Jade – Founder & Resident DJ, Factory People | Keena- Artist | Lara Kays – Senior Event & Project Manager, Freelance | Mai El Mokadem - Writer & Journalist, Freelance | Mayssa Karaa - Artistic Director, Berklee Abu Dhabi | Megatronic – Artist | Moody Jones – General Manager, DIRTYBIRD & EMPIRE Dance | Nada Al Elhabi – General Manager, MDLBEAST Foundation | Onur Ates – Managing Director, Mixmag MENA & Groove Atelier | Pierre Carnet - Managing Director, MASSIVEMUSIC MENA Roberta Hickey – Director of MENA, The Beatport Group | Samer Jamal – Strategic Partner Manager, Meta | Sofia Ilyas – CCO, The Beatport Group | Suhel Nafar – Head of WANA, EMPIRE | Timmy Mowafi – Co-Founder & Managing Partner, SceneNoise/MO4 Network | Wassim Bou Malham – Founder, Factory People | Yara Temsah – Head of Production, Hot Axis
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I’m so excited to be joining Beatport Presents IMS Dubai as co-host this year alongside Pete Tong. The SWANA region is one of the most inspiring places in electronic music right now, full of creativity and growth. This summit provides a platform to celebrate incredible artists, amplify the voices of the region, and create meaningful connections that will help shape the future of our culture across SWANA and beyond.
Evening programming expands the summit into a citywide takeover, with partner events across Monkey Bar, Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour Experience, Surf Club, Be Beach, Reunion, and Helipad. Following a sold-out debut last year, early bird tickets for 2025 have already sold out, underscoring the event’s growing significance on the global calendar.
Badges for International Music Summit (IMS) Dubai taking place from 12–16 November 2025 are now available on the official IMS Dubai website.
