Beatport Presents IMS Dubai Announces 2025 Speakers Nov 13th-14th

After a packed-out MENA debut in Dubai last year, Beatport Presents International Music Summit (IMS), Ibiza's renowned electronic music conference, is returning on November 14th and 15th. Taking over the 25hours Hotel One Central, the day-time summit will feature panels, keynotes and exclusive showcases, pulling together global and regional heavyweight DJs, industry leaders and music executives, alongside SWANA’s fastest-rising talent. The summit will then spill into the city’s nightlife for a five-day party.

“Last year was about giving a broad overview of the music landscape in the MENA region," Roberta Hickey, Director Middle East & North Africa region, Beatport, tells SceneNoise. "This year, we’ve gone deeper, exploring the scene’s nuances and spotlighting the local layers and key industry players.”

Co-hosted by IMS co-founder and legendary BBC Radio Broadcaster Peter Tong, alongside UK-based Saudi DJ and producer Nooriyah, the summit will dissect the biggest trends shaping the future of music, as well as the challenges facing the industry on both global and regional levels. Topics include AI in music production, the ‘habibification’ of house music, a market focus on Lebanon, and the intersection of music and fashion, as well as SceneNoise's hosted panel on the past, present and future of MENA nightlife.

“The launch of Beatport Presents IMS Dubai last year showed just how much energy, creativity, and ambition exist in our community in the SWANA region," Peter Tong, Co-founder of IMS, tells SceneNoise. "Electronic music is here on an exciting upward trajectory, creatively, culturally, and as an evolving market with exciting opportunities for growth and collaboration.”

The summit will be split across two rooms in the 25hours hotel. The Main Room at the Nomad area will be dedicated to conversations about music and culture, featuring a brilliant lineup of artists and keynote speakers, such as HUGEL, Lebanese-British techno giant Nicole Moudaber, house virtuosos Misty and Rolbac, along with Bedouin. The agenda will also feature Jade (Resident DJ & Co-founder, Factory People),  Elie Saba (Managing Partner, ADDMIND), Sofia Ilyas (CCO, The Beatport Group), and Samer Jamal (Strategic Partner Manager, META).

Meanwhile, Room two will cover everything related to finance and tech, with a dedicated section on production presented by Beatport Connect. It will host the screening of the MENA premiere of Irish duo Bicep’s film, ‘TAKKUK’. Besides the panels, there will be a networking floor buzzing non-stop with live DJ sets throughout both days of the summit, co-curated by Mixmage UAE and Kiss FM.

As the night falls, there will be a series of exclusive parties happening simultaneously at six major venues across Dubai, including the iconic Ushuaia Dubai Harbour Experience, Surf Club, Reunion, and Helipad, from November 12th to November 16th, while Monkey Bar will host a Beatport Live event on November 13th.

Stay tuned to SceneNoise for the full programming announcement. Tickets for IMS Dubai 2025 are available through IMS's official website.