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Top MENA Events in 2023

Global Tech Summit

July 17-18 – Saudi Arabia
The Global Tech Summit 2023 is a significant event that focuses on the latest advancements and trends in various industries, including Medicine, Technology, Automobiles, Construction, Agriculture, and Food Industries. It serves as a platform for collaboration, innovation, and exploring new ideas. Attendees have the opportunity to witness demonstrations and presentations from both established companies and emerging start-ups, covering a wide range of topics. The summit brings together business leaders, political figures, and experts to discuss global issues and the role of technology in addressing them. It offers attendees the chance to stay informed about the latest technological developments across different domains and industries, network with professionals and experts, and gather inspiration and ideas for future projects and initiatives.

Digital Transformation Summit

August 9-10 – Egypt
With the aim of aligning with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and digital transformation strategy, both the private and public sectors are joining forces to lay the groundwork for Egypt’s transition into a digital society. In light of this objective, the Digital Transformation Summit is being organized in Egypt. This summit will address a broad range of topics that are crucial to this transformation, allowing leaders to delve deeply into the new economy and comprehend its implications for their businesses.The upcoming edition of the summit will bring together over 200 digital leaders, featuring a series of presentations, panel discussions, real-life use cases, and specialized industry tracks. This comprehensive program will provide participants with a holistic perspective on the current market landscape, the latest technological innovations, and strategies to drive organizational growth amidst the unique challenges of these unprecedented times.

Crypto Expo Dubai

September 20-21 – UAE
Hqmena is the organizer of Crypto Expo Dubai, an event that showcases the largest gathering of its kind in Dubai. It brings together esteemed investors and industry leaders from the cryptocurrency field, providing valuable opportunities for networking and exploring new business avenues. Attending the expo offers a chance to connect with the top cryptocurrency businesses for trading and investment purposes. Participants can also gain knowledge about various aspects of the cryptocurrency industry, including Altcoins, Blockchain, and Consensus. Hqmena excels in organizing business-to-business events, offering high-quality educational resources and networking opportunities tailored for the cryptocurrency industry. The expo puts top cryptocurrency brands in the spotlight, allowing them to present their finest digital currency products and services to thousands of traders and investors.

DevOpsDays Cairo

September 27 – Egypt
DevOpsDays is a global series of technical conferences that focus on software development, IT infrastructure operations, and the convergence of these two domains. These events are organized and run by volunteers from the local community. Typically, DevOpsDays conferences consist of a mix of curated talks, which are selected through open Calls for Proposals, and self-organized open space sessions. The topics covered in these events often revolve around automation, testing, security, and organizational culture. Participants have the opportunity to explore and discuss these subjects with industry experts, sharing insights, best practices, and experiences.

Blockchain Economy Dubai Summit

October 4-5 – UAE
The Blockchain Economy Summit, known as the world’s largest blockchain conference network, serves as a platform to unite prominent figures in the crypto industry and experts who aim to redefine the future of finance. The upcoming 8th edition of the summit is scheduled to take place over two days in Dubai on October 4-5, 2023. The event will feature the participation of leading crypto companies and blockchain entrepreneurs from around the world. Dubai, specifically the UAE, is actively positioning itself as a global crypto hub, and the Blockchain Economy Dubai Summit will serve as a significant gathering in the region, representing the blockchain and cryptocurrency world. The summit will cover a wide range of topics centered around the future of financial technologies, providing ample networking opportunities, and attracting participants from over 70 countries.

Travel Tech Middle East

October 11-12 – UAE
The 4th Annual Travel Tech Middle East Summit 2023 serves as a vital gathering point, marketplace, and knowledge hub for travel professionals from around the globe. This conference is dedicated to equipping travel industry experts with the necessary knowledge and expertise to effectively implement the latest technologies that are revolutionizing the field. The event aims to bring together hotels, online travel agencies (OTA’s), and hospitality technology companies, fostering an environment where participants can learn about operational technology and gain practical insights on leveraging recent innovations to accelerate the recovery of the travel industry on a global scale.

Devoxx Morocco

October 11-13 – Morocco
DEVOXX MOROCCO stands as the largest developer conference in the Africa & Middle East region. Its primary objective is to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise between local and international technology experts, engaging technology enthusiasts in the process. This three-day conference covers a wide range of sessions on various topics, including Java, Cloud, Containers & Cloud Native technologies, DevOps & Culture, Big Data Machine Learning & AI, Modern Web, JS, UX, Architecture, Mobile, IoT, and Blockchain. Attendees have the opportunity to dive into these subjects, learning from industry leaders and gaining insights into the latest advancements and trends in the tech industry.

DigiMarCon Middle East & Dubai

October 11-12 – UAE
Another marketing event in 2023 that could potentially benefit your business is the DigiMarCon Middle East 2023. This annual event is highly regarded in the marketing industry and is considered a must-attend. It features a series of conferences with influential individuals, including CEOs, CMOs, and social media influencers, who collaborate with major brands such as Google, Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft, eBay, Netflix, Oracle, and others. The event offers both online and in-person attendance options, allowing participants to access a diverse range of case studies and practical strategies that can be implemented in their own workplaces. Additionally, the networking opportunities at this event are exceptional, providing you with the chance to connect with prominent leaders in the industry.

Expand North Star 2023

October 15-18 – UAE
Hosted by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, Expand North Star will present a new creative format to extend its engagements with tech leaders, venture capitalists, unicorns, scale-ups, startups, and key stakeholders in the tech ecosystem.

GITEX Global

October 16-20 – UAE
GITEX Global, which is internationally recognized as one of the largest tech events, has gained significant prominence. The 2022 GITEX Global event served as a promising platform for innovators, and the upcoming 2023 edition is expected to be even more dynamic. This event brings together highly knowledgeable speakers and showcases the most exciting product innovations. Regardless of whether you’re a startup founder or simply a technology enthusiast, attending this event is highly recommended. GITEX Global 2023 will primarily focus on cutting-edge topics such as 6G, Big Data, virtual business ecosystems, Metaverse, Cybersecurity, Quantum Computing, and much more. As an international tech event, GITEX Global offers a remarkable digital experience. If you happened to miss the Marketing Mania 2023 event, you can find similar content and opportunities at GITEX Global 2023!

Future Tech Event

November 27-28 – Oman
In November 2023, the 3rd Edition of the Future Tech Event will be held at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Future Tech is the premier B2B and B2G technology event in the Sultanate of Oman. It serves as a significant gathering that brings together C-Level executives, industry experts, decision makers, policy makers, and government officials from various sectors. The event provides a dedicated platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue, fostering collaboration and offering powerful networking opportunities. Participants have the opportunity to engage in discussions on current challenges, explore business opportunities, devise market strategies, exchange knowledge, and seek solutions that shape the future of technology.

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crowds throng the avenue before the Blue Stage at VivaTech 2025
Events 2 days ago

At Sesamers, we’re always looking to be the first to learn about the latest trends in the startup and tech events space. That’s why it feels like a privilege that Sesamers was invited by Olivia Hervy, chief ecosystem officer of VivaTech, to the exclusive kick-off VivaTech 2026, alongside key partners.  As Europe’s largest startup and tech event prepares for its 10th anniversary, scheduled for June 17-20, 2026 in Paris, being part of this circle of industry professionals gives us early insight into what promises to be VivaTech’s most ambitious edition yet, with significant expansions and new experiences that reflect a decade of growth and evolution. Major infrastructure expansions After calling Hall 1 and 2 at Porte de Versailles home for a decade, VivaTech 2026 is relocating to Hall 7, a new three-floor building that the event will occupy fully. The venue now features 30% more exhibition space across three floors; upgraded infrastructure; excellent internet connectivity, and a much larger business center. The building has 12 dedicated restaurant areas, providing ample dining options to better accommodate the growing crowds. The centerpiece is a brand new, 2,200-seat main stage where the event’s most significant announcements and keynotes will be held. Greater business focus Building on 2025’s  success (180,000 attendees, 14,000 startups), VivaTech 2026 introduces several business-focused improvements: Doubled innovation showcase The “Garden of Innovators” concept has been expanded upon, with organizers promising to double startup participation, product announcements, and exhibition surface area compared to previous editions.  Located on the first floor, the welcome area will showcase exemplars of innovation through the centuries to remind attendees of humanity’s continuous drive to invent and create. Germany takes center stage For 2026, Germany has been selected as the “Country of the Year,” and VivaTech will highlight the nation’s contributions to the European tech ecosystem with an eye towards strengthening Franco-German technological cooperation. Thematic villages  VivaTech 2026 introduces a new organizational approach: We have four dedicated thematic arenas, each of which features its own startup village and specialized programming: Each thematic village will feature startups building in those sectors, creating focused ecosystems where attendees can explore innovations that cross-pollinate within a concentrated area. Every theme features its own dedicated stage, which will host talks, panels, and presentations tailored to that sector. An additional Executive Arena will cater specifically to marketing and tech leaders, providing a hub for C-level discussions and strategic content. “Revolutions in Progress” VivaTech2026’s theme emphasizes ongoing technological revolutions, with particular focus on: Special anniversary experiences To mark the event’s 10th anniversary, VivaTech 2026 will feature several special events: Looking forward With its tagline, “VIVA LA REVOLUTION,” VivaTech 2026 positions itself not just as a retrospective celebration, but as the launch pad for the next decade of European tech innovation. The expanded format and new experiences point to how the event is evolving from a showcase into an increasingly sophisticated business platform for the global tech community. VivaTech 2026 builds on last year’s impressive satisfaction metrics (92% of exhibitors satisfied, 82% of attendees planning to return) while substantially expanding capacity and capabilities to serve the growing European tech ecosystem.

a wall of amplifiers
Events 2 days ago

Europe recorded €108 billion from exhibitions and events in 2024, according to UFI’s latest data. The continent welcomed 102 million visitors to over 2,000 certified exhibitions across 17 countries; Web Summit Lisbon set a record with 71,528 attendees in November 2024, making it the largest edition to date; and Stockholm’s Techarena secured just over €1 million from VC firm BackingMinds to expand internationally. By any reasonable measure, Europe’s events space has absolutely crushed the events game. End of story. Fin. However, from where I’m sitting, the elephant is still lurking quite comfortably in the room. At the risk of being ostracized, I’ll go ahead and ask the question: Why are some of the most innovative companies on the planet still schlepping to Austin for SXSW to make their biggest announcements (Salt Lick and Stubbs BBQ’s aside)? The room vs. the world Looking at the numbers: Europe’s events spark more meaningful connections per square meter than anywhere else on Earth. In 2025, VivaTech set records with 180,000 visitors, a 10% increase from a year earlier. MWC Barcelona authoritatively anchors a circuit stretching from Kigali to Las Vegas. The continent plays host to an estimated 32,000 exhibitions annually, generating 4.3 million full-time equivalent jobs. These are numbers you cannot take lightly. But walk into any European tech conference and you’ll witness something that should make every one of us reach for the Advil: major announcements received by something akin to a boisterous golf clap from 500 or so people. And that’s it. Those announcements then usually disintegrate into the digital ether, seemingly never to be heard of again. Meanwhile, across the pond, a throwaway tweet about the same topic has the potential to garner upwards of 50,000 shares and three podcast invitations faster than you can drink your morning coffee. But data and numbers don’t lie, and when it comes to events, they’re frankly embarrassing. Europe’s events sector processes roughly €108 billion, and is  extraordinarily efficient in bringing decision makers together in the same space.  European startups consistently struggle with what should be the easier bit: translating those promising conversations into sustained media coverage, investor attention and market validation. The great muppet caper Picture this scene playing out roughly 847 times per week across Europe: Monday: A Finnish startup leveraging AI presents a true breakthrough in supply chain management/optimization/operations to 200 logistics executives at a specialized track. The demo is genuinely impressive. The potential is genuinely massive. The audience is the very definition of target market. All the right pieces are in all the right places. Tuesday: Three tech publications publish brief summaries, perhaps even covering the entire conference, and not just the logistics breakthrough. The fledgling company’s LinkedIn post gets 47 likes (including the founders’ mothers, university mates, and the intern). A single podcast interview is scheduled for three weeks later. It may or may not happen. Wednesday: The story is now less alive than disco was on July 13, 1979. Look that one up, kids. Now let’s compare the same actions to the American playbook, which, if I’m honest, makes me simultaneously impressed and nauseous. The same company makes the announcement at a Bay Area-based event (yep, you know it as well as I do). It generates immediate response across a variety of channels from some  truly influential voices and some noise makers, but enough to garner the attention of major media (print, podcast, and pulp) outlets within 48 hours. It then spawns derivative content, and creates a sustained conversation that drives real, true, business development for the startup for weeks. The difference here isn’t the quality of the innovation; it’s how the messaging was amplified. Folks, you can hate me for saying this, but this is where Europe is getting schooled. There is no stopping in the Red Zone Take one look at today’s media landscape, and you’ll leave with a rather morbid impression. The problem isn’t structural fragmentation; it’s an endemic contraction. Leon may be growing, but European tech media is shrinking,  at precisely the wrong moment. A brief reminder: TechCrunch, long the go-to outlet for European startup coverage, quietly shut down its entire European operation in 2025 when private equity firm Regent LP acquired the publication.  Digital Frontier, the London-based tech publication that launched in early 2024 with a team of 20, “paused” operations just a few months ago, making all 16 staff members redundant.  Business Insider cut 21% of its staff in 2025, citing “extreme traffic drops” and AI disruption. Just days ago, we all found out that The Next Web, once one of Europe’s flagship tech conferences and media brands, was shutting down its events and media operations after nearly 20 years. The Financial Times, which bought TNW in 2019, confirmed it was winding down the business by the end of September following a “strategic review.” Conference attendance had dropped to 4,500 in 2025, less than half of pre-pandemic levels. The failure to capture content The folks at Black Unicorn PR earlier this year put together a guide that reveals something anyone working in European tech media already knows but pretends isn’t true: “Unlike the U.S., which has a few dominant tech media outlets and an emerging class of star indie writers, Europe hasn’t yet consolidated its practitioners’ knowledge in one place.” Stop and think about what that really means for a second. Sure, we’ve got strong regional players, and I salute Sifted, EU-Startups, and Tech.eu doing the do. But the lack of a unified amplification machinery, by definition, puts Europe at a disadvantage over Silicon Valley stories that are destined to be heard in Phuket faster than you can finish reading this sentence. To put it bluntly, European tech events suffer from content capture failure. The most valuable insights surface within conversations, at roundtable discussions, and networking sessions that generate no permanent content.  Unlike American events, which increasingly operate as content factories designed for social media amplification, European conferences optimize to create value in the room rather than post-event content distribution. All that

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New Materials 3 days ago

Winning the JEC Startup Booster's 2025 Sustainability Award transformed Strong by Form from a 'promising startup' into a serious player with industrial credibility.

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