Mela Anniversary Reunion

November, 2026

  • Tunisia

The Mela Anniversary Reunion

November 6-9, 2025
Dubai, UAE
More than an event, the Mela Reunion is a celebration of our collective journey, collective achievements, and meaningful connections that continue to strengthen us as a global community.
Join us as we come together to reconnect, reflect, and reimagine the future of leadership, collaboration, and impact.

REUNION AGENDA

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6
12:00 – 15:00 | Registration | Hotel Ballroom
Attendees arrive at the hotel, check in, receive their nametags. Mela staff will be on hand to welcome and assist with questions and guide guests to the event areas.
Dress code: Casual
16:00 – 19:30 | Networking Reception | Terra Mar Lounge, Hotel Rooftop
Guests are welcome to gather at the hotel rooftop lounge to network in a relaxed atmosphere by the pool ahead of the Welcome Dinner.
Dress code: Casual
19:30 – 21:30 | Welcome Dinner | Zabeel Ballroom
The Welcome Dinner will welcome all participants, hosts, and special guests. The evening will include opening remarks and introductions to the days ahead.
Dress code: Casual
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7
10:00 – 11:30 | AI Session - LinkedIn | Zabeel Ballroom
This session explores the evolving integration of artificial intelligence in professional networking and talent discovery with LinkedIn. The speaker will cover algorithmic matching, content strategies, and AI’s impact on recruitment and business scaling. The discussion will include real-world use cases and audience Q&A.
Dress code: Smart casual
11:30 – 11:45 | Coffee Break | Hotel Ballroom Foyer
11:45 – 13:15 | AI Session - State of GenAI 2025 - Pierre Daher | Zabeel Ballroom
A dynamic 90min session on how GenAI is transforming industries, covering LLMs, the AI ecosystem, real-world applications, and practical adoption tips. The session will include live demos featuring ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and other leading tools, plus audience Q&A to address your specific AI challenges and opportunities.
Dress code: Smart casual
13:15 – 14:00 | Friday Prayer Break
14:00 – 16:00 | Networking Lunch | Hotel Main Restaurant
16:00 – 19:00 | Self Discovery Forum | Zabeel Ballroom
Self Discovery takes participants through a retrospective covering the past 15 years, offering insights and framing for self-reflection. The exercise then encourages participants to evaluate the dimensions of their personal and career milestone.
Focused on “Managing Your Life,” “Self Leadership,” and “Life Balance,” this session encourages deeper introspection. Through guided discussion, participants design personal action plans aligned with their values. Seating is designated to promote collaboration and the exchange of ideas and accountability.
Dress code: Smart casual
19:30 – 21:30 | Networking Dinner | Terra Mar Rooftop Terrace
Dress code: Smart casual
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8
10:00 – 10:40 | GCC Business Expansion Panel | Zabeel Ballroom Session
10:40 – 11:15 | Business Expansion to the UAE | Zabeel Ballroom Session
Dress code: Smart casual
11:15 – 12:00 | Transforming Leadership Through Cyberpsychology | Zabeel Ballroom
In today’s volatile and uncertain environment, leaders need new tools to stay ahead. Join Investment Advisor, Hassan Habib, as he shares two core solutions that anchor leadership performance:
1. Cyber Psychology & Cognitive Security – blending human-tech insights to strengthen decision-making, communication, engagement, risk management, and innovation.
2. RAPID – Risk Analysis Platform for Intelligent Decisions – a multi-agent AI that delivers fast, data-driven recommendations and scenario planning, turning uncertainty into clarity. Together, these build resilient, neuro-literate leaders for the digital age and can transform leadership and decision-making.
Dress code: Smart casual
12:00 – 12:30 | Coffee Break | Hotel Ballroom Foyer
12:30 – 14:00 | Competitive Advantage: Cultural Competence | Zabeel Ballroom
This panel welcomes Dr. Waddah Al Hashmi: The Intrinsic Strategic Advantage, to highlight cultural competence as a critical internal differentiator that drives the competitive advantage and financial sustainability of business leaders. Drawing on research, case studies, and the authors’ corporate and entrepreneurial experience, the session explores how cultural competence strengthens organizational resilience in the face of global challenges. It serves as a comprehensive guide for leaders seeking to understand cultural competence as a strategic imperative in today’s globalized world.
Dress code: Smart casual
14:00 – 15:30 | Networking Lunch | Hotel Main Restaurant
15:30 – 16:30 | Cultural Innovation Session
16:30 – 21:00 | Desert Experience and Dinner
An immersive outdoor dinner experience in a desert setting, combining cultural with networking. The ambiance, local cuisine, and scenery serve as a memorable backdrop for conversations under the stars.
Dress code: Casual
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9
10:00 – 11:30 | Business Showcase | Zabeel  Ballroom
Participants of the Reunion present their businesses, projects and initiatives. These short pitches highlight innovation, lessons learned, and collaboration opportunities. The format promotes peer-to-peer discovery and collaboration.
Dress code: Smart casual
11:30 – 12:00 | Coffee Break | Hotel Ballroom Foyer
12:00 – 14:00 | Townhall for Mela Members | Zabeel  Ballroom
Dress code: Smart casual
12:00 – 14:00 | Free time for Non-Mela Members
14:00 – 16:00 | Networking Lunch | Hotel Main Restaurant
19:30 – 21:30 | Gala Dinner | Zabeel Ballroom
The program concludes with a closing ceremony and Gala Dinner including formal recognition of standout contributions with the presentation of the Mela Chairman’s Awards, followed by a performance by Emirati singer/songwriter Mohammed Zarooni and The Zarooni Sound Society.
Dress code: Gala or national dress
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Departures | Optional Culture Excursions
Participants with early flights depart for the aiport, those with later flights may enjoy local cultural excursions based on optional programming or arrange business meetings and site visits. Event organizers will coordinate transport, guides, and itineraries.

REGISTRATION DETAILS

1. Sign in to the event page on the portal or SIBF Global app on Android or Apple

Don’t have a login? Send your preferred email address to info@melanetwork.org and we’ll send you an activation link over email.

2. Select your ticket:

Reunion Fee Per Person (single room accommodation): $2,500

Reunion Fee Per Person (double room accommodation): $1,990

Reunion Fee Per Person (no accommodation): $1,600

And for the Mela members who have paid their 2025 membership fees:

Member Reunion Fee per person (single room accommodation): $2,300

Member Reunion Fee per person (no accommodation): $1,400

Friends and family members are welcome – for the full program at the fees above or for sessions-only access (meals not included) at $800 (online payment link here)

Sign up here if you want to showcase your business during the Reunion

Sign up here

Sponsor a Session

Be part of the conversation. Sponsor a session at the Mela Anniversary Reunion and advance the thought leadership at this international event. Sponsors will be recognized throughout the Reunion and across Mela media. Don’t miss the chance to support 15 years of connection, leadership, and impact.

For more about sponsorship opportunities contact the Mela Executive Director at ED@melanetwork.org