Carla Zaroubi Daaboul is the architect behind ELITE, Chalhoub Group’s ultra-high-net-worth loyalty and luxury experience platform. She specialises in designing emotionally resonant, high-impact journeys for the region’s most influential clients, bringing together experiential retail, service choreography, and deeply integrated cross-Maison collaborations. With a career rooted in experiential innovation, Carla brings a distinctive perspective on UHNW behaviour, service culture, and the invisible elements that shape exceptional luxury moments.
Rowdha Alsayegh
Creative Director & Storyteller
Founder of Rowdha SAY
Driven with passion in 2021 Rowdha launched ‘Rowdha SAY’ a creative agency that aims to help brands SAY. Having the skills of an artist, writer, and a speaker, Rowdha SAY helps brands tell their stories through directing campaigns, creative storytelling and more.
With love to share people’s happiness Rowdha started a seasonal service called ‘SAY I DO’ where she custom makes bridal entrance music ‘Zafa’.
Jeremy McCarthy has been overseeing the design, development, and operations of luxury resort, spa and wellness experiences for over thirty years. Over the course of his career he has worked with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, KSL Resorts, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and most recently was Group Director of Leisure, Spa & Wellness for Mandarin Oriental, named the World’s Best Hotel Spa Brand the last three years in a row.
McCarthy was also recognized with a Visionary Award by the International Spa Association, for his ongoing industry innovations, the Debra Simon Award by the Global Wellness Summit, for his leadership in furthering mental wellness, and a Distinguished Instructor award, by University of California, Irvine, for his highly rated courses in Positive Leadership and Spa Operations.
McCarthy holds a Master of Applied Positive Psychology degree from University of Pennsylvania and is the author of The Psychology of Spas & Wellbeing.
Jamie Simon is the Director and Head of Events at Banana Split, one of the leading luxury wedding and event planning studios. With 25 years of experience in the events industry, Jamie brings a rare combination of creative vision, operational mastery, and calm precision to some of the world’s most demanding celebrations.
Jamie directs the planning of Banana Split’s most ambitious destination weddings across Europe and the Middle East, including the globally acclaimed wedding of Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge, widely regarded as a defining moment in contemporary luxury weddings.
At the heart of his role, Jamie leads the Banana Split events team, ensuring every client receives the highest levels of service, creativity, and value. His leadership is rooted in a commitment to discretion, thoughtful design, and a guest-centric approach that underpins the company’s reputation among ultra-high-net-worth families.
With expertise spanning complex multi-day events, high-touch hospitality and the nuanced expectations of a global luxury clientele, Jamie is recognised for shaping immersive, emotionally resonant experiences that feel effortless to the guest and meticulously orchestrated behind the scenes.
Jamie shares insights drawn from a quarter-century in the industry—offering strategic guidance on scaling a bespoke planning business, elevating guest experience, and delivering world-class events in an evolving global market.
Olga Malinovskaya is the Founder and Creative Director of GREY CHIC, a distinguished international wedding-planning and design studio known for refined aesthetics, impeccable taste, and bespoke destination weddings. Under her guidance, GREY CHIC Wedding creates celebrations that are elegantly understated, emotionally rich, and uniquely tailored to each couple’s vision.
With a deep commitment to creative storytelling and refined design, Olga treats each wedding as a custom project. Her signature style blends modern elegance, clean lines, refined décor, and personal touches — delivering events that reflect the uniqueness of each client while remaining effortlessly sophisticated.
Through her leadership, GREY CHIC Wedding has earned recognition for meticulous attention to detail, seamless execution, and an atmosphere of understated luxury. Collaborating with a network of high-end venues, designers, and artisans worldwide, Olga ensures every celebration achieves a harmonious balance between aesthetic vision and flawless delivery.
Olga continues to shape modern luxury weddings with her unique approach — crafting timeless experiences defined by beauty, authenticity, and exceptional artistry.
Louise Nichol is a Dubai-based journalist, consultant, and presenter with over 20 years’ experience in the fashion and lifestyle industry. Louise was the editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia and Harper’s Bazaar Bride for a over decade before leaving to develop her own fitness and fashion brand. Over the course of her professional life Louise has interviewed many of the world’s most influential women, from Queen Rania of Jordan to Kim Kardashian.
Louise has a degree in politics, philosophy and English from Durham University in the UK and is a passionate advocate for women’s health, working as a fitness instructor at a boutique UAE gym and a volunteer coach for athletes of determination in her spare time. Louise is mother to three children, aged ten, eight and seven, and last year took part in a marriage vow renewal marketing campaign for a UAE hotel operator.
With over 18 years of versatile experience encompassing event management, operations, and production, he has carved a niche expertise in the realm of entertainment production & management, cultural programming, and show management/direction across Egypt and the wider region. Jimi's journey into the captivating world of Event & Entertainment Management began in 2005, and he has been passionately shaping experiences ever since.
In 2015, Jimi co-founded Jimirazz, a Cairo-based event & entertainment resourcing company. Today, Jimirazz stands as the leading booking agency in Egypt dedicated to Indie Music Artists.
Jimi's path led him to the UAE in 2018, where he joined Dubai-based Event Lab to lead the Entertainment & Culture department (now MISTIKA). MISTIKA is a unique creative consultancy specializing in cultural entertainment & performing arts in the region.
As an active Musician, since 2005, Jimi has been a prominent figure in the thriving Arab Indie Music scene, both as an artist/performer and a business person.
Director of Participation and Conformity at the Abu Dhabi Residents Office, part of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. Oversees a portfolio of global strategic and commercial partnerships with the government and private sector focused on development and diversification of the economy by attracting talents globally, empowering the voice of residents and enhancing sense of belonging driving a long-lasting impact about their experience in Abu Dhabi.
Yasser has over 20 years of experience across global brands in the UAE across commercial, marketing, customer experience, product development and is a subject matter expert in loyalty, partnerships and commercial sponsorships.
Aarti's journey as an entrepreneur has been nothing short of thrilling, spanning more than two decades of trailblazing work in the travel and tourism industry. She draws upon her extensive experience in leisure travel and social events to shape Milestones to Memories, her brainchild.
Her passion for creating bespoke and unforgettable events drives her every day. Aarti's expertise extends beyond India's borders, as her team specializes in international destination weddings. For Aarti, planning a wedding or any event is not just a job; it's her personal passion.
She is best known for her exceptional attention to detail, precision, and personalized approach toward each client. Aarti's entrepreneurial spirit continues to push boundaries and redefine industry standards even today. Now she's added another feather to her cap with the launch of Team Tandem, a B2B event production company that caters to other enterprises in the wedding and event space across the Middle East. With Team Tandem she has a very able team based in Duba that provides on-ground support and efficient solutions to their clients.
Anne Jang is a Seoul-based wedding planner, creative director, and AI artist whose work blends refined artistry with visionary design.
With more than 17 years of experience, she transforms weddings into emotional narratives, crafting bespoke celebrations distinguished by their poetic aesthetics and imaginative concepts.
As an AI artist, Anne is recognized for her groundbreaking ideas and strikingly bold visual language, setting new creative standards and inspiring designers and wedding professionals worldwide.
With an engaged global audience of over 70,000 followers, she is frequently invited to prestigious international conferences and leading universities to share her distinctive design philosophy and creative process.
Director of Tourism Product Development at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
Haitham Ali Khamis is a seasoned tourism professional with extensive experience in commercial strategy, stakeholder engagement, and destination development across global markets. He currently serves as Director of the Tourism Product Development Department at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). In this role, he leads initiatives to enhance the emirate’s tourism offerings, focusing on product innovation, global partnership engagement, cruise industry growth, and air connectivity to support Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading travel destination.
Before his current role, Haitham was Section Head of Global Partnerships, Aviation and Cruise in DCT Abu Dhabi’s International Operations department, where he worked closely with international travel agencies and aviation, cruise, and yacht partners to drive tourism growth. Prior to joining DCT Abu Dhabi, he held several senior roles at Emirates Airline, including Country Manager positions in Vietnam, Egypt, Libya, Iraq, and Oman. His responsibilities included overseeing commercial operations, route development, and market strategy, earning him multiple nominations in the Chairman’s Sales Excellence Awards.
Outside of his professional commitments, Haitham is an avid Arsenal supporter, approaching each match with the same enthusiasm and dedication that define his work in advancing Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector.
Mubarak Hamad Al Shamsi, the Director of Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, is a UAE national who hails from Abu Dhabi’s second city, and its heritage heartland, Al Ain. Al Shamsi is an industry expert with more than 19 years experience in the tourism industry.
He entered the sector in 2004 as an executive in the marketing department of the former Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. Since then, Al Shamsi has gained experience across a number of tourism departments including events and overseas offices and he also served for three years as the Country Manager for the Authority’s GCC market, based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Since 2014, in his role as Director of Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, he has strengthened the Bureau’s presence in Abu Dhabi, and facilitated growth in the congress and conferences sector. Al Shamsi was elected as a chairperson of the International Congress and Conventions Association (ICCA) Middle East Chapter in 2018, and to the Board of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) MENA Chapter. Al Shamsi holds an M.A. in General Management from the Luiss Guido Carli University of Rome, Italy and a B.Sc. in Business Administration from the University of Colorado, USA.
Margot Laporte is the founder of Tabloo Margot. Since childhood, she has been drawn to the magic of celebrations—beautiful tables, delicious aromas, and the sound of joyful laughter. Hospitality has always been part of her DNA. Today, she creates distinctive, detail-driven events and collaborates with trusted top professionals to make every milestone feel effortless and unforgettable. Food has been at the heart of her work from the very beginning and remains central to every experience Tabloo Margot designs. Known for doing things differently (and going the extra mile), Margot brings creativity, care, and a personal touch to every celebration.
Egyptian by blood, Jordanian by mind, and Emirati by heart, best describes Dr Sawsan Saad who holds a PhD in Sports Media, focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence in sports . She is a certified international trainer and a media professional at Dubai Media Incorporated, as well as a senior program presenter on Dubai Sports Channel. She is a well known sports content creator and Announcer for Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium and Zabeel Stadium , worked as an official commentator for various sports, including the UAE Tour for cycling and FIFA World club cup. With a career beginning in 2009 at Fox Networks, she has extensive experience in live sports coverage, and international media training. Her mission is to deliver information effectively to inspire positive change in people's lives.
Michael is a seasoned hotelier overseeing the iconic newly rebranded Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi, Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah, Dubai, Mandarin Oriental, Riyadh and the upcoming Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai which is scheduled to open in 2024. A German/Swiss national, Michael is a leader in the hospitality industry, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge spanning over 35 years. Prior to this, he held a number of senior leadership positions at the InterContinental Hotel Group, including General Manager of the InterContinental, Doha and Cairo. He then moved to IHG’s corporate office in Dubai as General Manager, Operations Support and subsequently took on the role of Director of Operations, Levant overseeing 13 hotels by three brands.
Michael’s hospitality journey then brought him to Asia where he spent two years as Director of IHG’s Luxury and Lifestyle Resorts for Southeast Asia, responsible for overseeing pre-opening hotels, repositioning of luxury resorts and leading the full refurbishment of InterContinental Bali Resort. He returned to the Middle East in 2020 with Mandarin Oriental, and led the highly anticipated rebranding of Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi to be a part of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.
Michael is fluent in English, French and German and was awarded General Manager of the year – Middle East in 2016 by World Luxury Hotel Awards. He is a fan of contemporary art, culture and opera and in his leisure time, he enjoys playing cricket, badminton and travelling with his family.
Youssef is a News Anchor in the Emirates local news channel - Dubai TV. He is the lead voice actor in the cartoon Captain Khalfan that airs on Majid TV generating more than 2.1 million views so far.
Youssef hosted plenty of events in his 12-year career including The World Government Summit for 4 consecutive years, hosted live the televised address of Barack Obama – making him known locally as “The Voice of the Summit”, The Global Summit of the women speakers of parliament, and is currently hosting the World Green Economy Summit for the third time in a row and The UAE Policy Forum to name a few.
Moammar Mohammed Al Marzooqi is a UAE national who holds a bachelor’s degree in applied Sciences Business Administration – Human Resources from Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Moammar has worked 6 years in the private sector where he accumulated diverse experiences, he joined in 2015 the former Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority as a senior marketing and communication executive.
In 2017, Moammar joined the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau, a subdivision of DCT – Abu Dhabi. His role consists of growing the business tourism sector focusing on strengthening the Meeting & Incentive segment in 12 overseas offices.
He has been promoted in 2022 to Meetings, Incentives, & Weddings - Section Head, leading major projects among which he has been anchoring the first business tourism event platform (Abu Dhabi Business Events Week), establishing new overseas offices in key source markets and amplifying commercial activities messaging through local & international media.
Sarah Julie Ferry is the Weddings Lead at the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau, a unit under the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi. Sarah holds a B.A. in Hospitality Management and Luxury Brand Management from the CMH academy in Paris.
She has over 13 years experience in hospitality & events management in the tourism industry. She has worked in prestigious landmarks such as the Park Hyatt Vendome in Paris, Fairmont the Palm in Dubai as well as the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi to name a few.
In 2019 she started her endeavors with the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau as a Senior project executive looking after the promotion and development of business tourism for the Indian market. In 2023, she has been charged with developing Abu Dhabi’s Wedding strategy and anchoring the first Wedding platform for Abu Dhabi (ADWS).
Creating Magic on the Stage Dina Rouz, the woman who changed the world of event management in the UAE region, became the first female director to open new horizons and set high standards for the industry.
The way to success of the agency began with the organization of official visits of the first persons of states in Europe. Among the VIP guests were: the Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia, the royal family of Qatar, German Vice-Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and French President Emmanuel Macron. The perfect reputation allowed the agency to take part in directing and organizing events around the world: Sao Paulo, New York, Lisbon, Vienna, Moscow, Dubai, Istanbul, Tel Aviv, Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Salzburg and Singapore.
Today, the agency, founded by Dina, operates in the UAE and around the world, directing and organizing shows, performances, VIP Events, museum installations, and other events of any complexity. Her team continues to be inspired by her passion and commitment to excellence to make every event unforgettable and unique.
Farid is the founder of FM Consulting and Co-Founder of Boutique Catering. With over 20 years of experience in hospitality across Paris, London, and Dubai,
Farid has worked in prestigious Parisian hotels like Le Royal Monceau and Le Prince De Galles, training under Michelin-starred chefs such as Hélène Darroze and Joël Robuchon.
Under his leadership, FM and Boutique Catering has crafted exceptional F&B concepts and executed events for luxury brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Chopard, and Hermès. Farid’s expertise spans intimate dinners to large-scale events, with services in high-end tablescaping, art direction, and event execution.
Farid is dedicated to delivering personalized, refined culinary experiences with a strong focus on beauty and taste.
Andre Timmins is a pioneering force in global experiential entertainment.
As Co-Founder and Director of Wizcraft Entertainment Agency, he has transformed India’s live events landscape and elevated Indian cinema on the world stage. From producing landmark moments such as Michael Jackson’s first India concert and the Global Citizen Festival to conceptualising the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA), Andre has shaped India’s cultural diplomacy with vision and impact. Over 25 years, IIFA has grown into a globally celebrated platform, strengthening India’s soft power and international collaborations. Renowned for his integrity, creativity, and strategic leadership, Andre continues to drive innovation across entertainment and sports, inspiring new standards of excellence and creating enduring global partnerships. Beyond entertainment, Andre has been a leader in the luxury weddings business since 1992, delivering high-profile celebrations for over three decades, including the recent Udaipur wedding that went viral globally giving him deep insight into the industry’s evolving dynamics.
Noreen Khan is an international strategist, cultural curator, and powerhouse connector shaping the global rise of Indian entertainment. As Vice President of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA), she leads worldwide strategy, partnerships, and expansion, transforming IIFA into a dynamic platform for soft power, cultural diplomacy, and creative economy impact. With 15+ years across the UK, USA, Middle East, Europe, and Asia, Noreen has driven major global projects, forging alliances with governments, tourism boards, luxury brands, and media giants.
A London-educated media professional, she began her career with BBC, MTV, Endemol, and London Fashion Week, bringing a multidisciplinary approach to her leadership. Renowned for building high-value relationships and crafting iconic experiences, Noreen continues to shape influential IPs, global summits, and entertainment initiatives that bridge cinema, culture, business, and communities worldwide.
Lieke Biesemans (Stories by Mabel) is an experienced Belgian wedding celebrant. She has married almost five hundred couples, all over the world. She believes people are not made of DNA but of stories instead. She established her business ‘Stories by Mabel’ sucessfully some ten years ago. For years, she has taken on planning and styling of weddings too, but today she focusses only on personalized storytelling on a wedding day. Lieke believes the love story of a couple is the backbone of a wedding. Lieke builds unique symbolic wedding ceremonies, with love and connection at the heart. She is a renowned writer and speaker and loves to work with couples, families and communities to build a wedding ceremony that provides for sincere connection, emotions and and depth. In a world that moves at lighting speed, Lieke builds moments of standstill, that will last a lifetime.
Sara Elgohary is a UAE-based singer-songwriter, panel moderator, MC, and content and culture professional with a background in leading high-impact, storytelling-led work across the UAE. She has collaborated with government entities, creative partners, and community stakeholders to shape clear narratives, develop engaging programmes, and deliver on-ground experiences with strong audience outcomes. Her experience also includes marketing communications in higher education. Known for her polished, engaging facilitation style, Sara moderates conversations with a balance of structure and warmth, helping speakers land their key messages while keeping discussion focused, inclusive, and time-aware. She is the official Arabic voice of Disney’s Cinderella, and her hit song “Beybosso” has surpassed 9 million views on YouTube. This combination of content strategy, live facilitation, and artistic credibility makes her a trusted presence for premium events and high-profile panels.
Manal Mohammad is an Emirati visionary and the Founder & CEO of Serenita, the UAE's first luxury bridal concierge service. Driven by her deep passion for weddings, fashion, and design, Manal identified a gap in bridal support in the region and sought to create a seamless, stress-free experience for modern brides. Understanding the overwhelming nature of wedding preparations, she launched Serenita to provide brides with the personalized, high-end assistance they need, from styling and etiquette coaching to luxury vendor connections. Manal’s approach embraces the philosophy of serenity and elegance, ensuring every bride’s journey is one of tranquility and joy. Under her leadership, Serenita has become synonymous with luxury bridal planning in the UAE, setting a new benchmark for bespoke wedding experiences.
Being the India's Largest luxury catering enterprise, from last 15 years working in Indian Weddings around the Globe, have done catering in more than 40 countries in exotic destinations, giving flavours of our regional Indian and world cuisine.
Since November 2020, Savino Leone is General Manager of Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort. During his 30+ year career, he has gained in-depth insight into establishing cultures of Guest Service Excellence – including leading the pre-opening, launch and performance growth of hotels in Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Osas Okonyon leads the BellaNaija Weddings team, Africa's top wedding website under Bella Online Media. She has collaborated with various wedding vendors to celebrate love and showcase African culture globally. Osas has driven impactful campaigns, including the Newly Nearly campaign with Golden Penny and the #AFreeUnion campaign with Union Bank, creating unforgettable experiences for couples. A versatile professional, she excels in creative writing, content creation, and media strategy, while also working as a voice-over artist, actor, and event host. Osas's passion for storytelling is evident in all her work. In her downtime, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and exploring music.
Perhaps best known as the face of the UAE’s biggest English language TV channel, Omar presents the flagship news and current affairs show, “Emirates 24/7”. Omar has hosted many of Dubai One’s prestigious live events, from the Metro launch to announcing the Expo 2020 victory live from Paris to the opening ceremonies of the 2011 and 2012 Dubai International Film Festival.
He has also MCed global events including the Forbes Global CEO Conference where he introduced His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the Global Diabetes Forum where he introduced His Highness Shekih Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, The World Government Summit, EXPO2020 countdown event, Abu Dhabi Sustainability week for 5 years in a row to name a few.
Since working alongside Tom Cruise and Brad Bird during the production of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Omar has been busy writing and directing his own short films. Omar is also a documentary filmmaker whose credits include HBO and two seasons of a UAE cultural program entitled "Emirati" which brought UAE heritage to an English speaking audience. In April 2013, Omar was a finalist in a month long documentary film making competition sponsored by the United Nations in Chennai, India, called "Chance of a Lifetime".
As an aspiring feature film director, Omar was a finalist in Image Nation's first annual Arab Film Studios televised competition, documenting five Emirati filmmakers as they battle it out to create their first professional short movie. His short film "Black/White" ran in competition at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival and he is currently writing his first full length feature.