Agenda
8.15 am-9.15 am – Arrival and registration
Tea, coffee and light pastries available from 8.15am.
Welcome and networking time.
9.15 am – Welcome to the IBIS Middle East 2025
Robert Snook, Conference Director IBIS Worldwide, welcomes delegates, introduces the IBIS Theme for 2025, outlines how this is aligned to the objectives for the day, sets out the timings and format of the event and explains how delegates can get involved throughout.
9.25 am – Shaping the Future
The GCC and Global market perspectives that are shaping the future shape of our industry.
Presentation followed by Q&A and whole room discussion and debate.
We highlight and discuss industry and consumer research recently carried out that signposts the consumers attitude toward in the automotive aftermarket industry, their changing behaviours and the outlook for a used EV marketplace in the global and regional GCC markets.
Subhashree Ramarathnam, Associate Director – Mobility, Frost & Sullivan Middle East
Vishal Pandey, Partner- Automotive & Mobility, Glasgow Research & Consulting, UAE
Akhilesh Tripathi, Head of IT, YK Almoayyed, Bahrain
10.10 am – Artificial Intelligence in the Real World
How AI is reshaping automotive industry and claims management operations today.
Opening presentation. Interactive panel session. Whole room discussion and debate.
Leaders and pioneers are now harnessing the power of data to implement AI enabled operations into their businesses. How well is the Automotive Industry adopting AI compared to other industries? What areas are being impacted by AI already? What are the benefits of today’s AI enabled solutions for car drivers, insurance companies, bodyshops and the supply chain? And how are the leaders collaborating on the solutions that will see AI shaping our future?
Noor Alnahhas, Founder, CEO and Chief of Dreaming Stuff Up, Nybl
Dashdamir Niftaliyev, Regional Business Development Manager, Audatex Middle East, Egypt, and Azerbaijan
11.00 am – Coffee and networking break
11.30 am – Equipping Leaders to Lead
Because people love leaders but will only ever tolerate managers.
Presentation. Whole room discussion and debate.
Leaders often find their options for personal development reduced as their career progresses. We look at the typical challenges that show up along the journey as leadership careers advance and discuss how the lack of support can impact the leader, their team and the organisation. We then explore and introduce the world’s first professional qualifications, which are tailored specifically for people working in leadership roles in the automotive industry.
Jeff Smith, President, International Business Academy
12.15 pm – Leadership through Collaboration
How the role of an industry leader is evolving in the Middle East.
Interactive panel session. Whole room discussion and debate.
How can we all ensure we continue to lead the way forward in the dynamic and transitional market we are in? A panel of respected industry leaders from across the Middle East discuss what effective leadership means for them today. How are their roles and responsibilities are evolving and how they are utilising leadership through collaboration to achieve their goals faster, better and easier?
Mohamed Ezz, Group Body & Paint Manager, Wallan Group, KSA
Mahmoud Othman, Head of Group Aftersales at AL Nabooda Automobiles LLC, UAE
Michael Goode, Senior General Manager, Aftersales, Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo, Bahrain
Fadi S. Medlej, Business Director CEEMEA Territory, Axalta
1.05 pm – Networking Lunch
Guests can enjoy a delicious buffet lunch and some quality networking time.
2.10 pm – A New OEM World Order is Emerging
How NEV players are disrupting the market and how the established brands are fighting back.
Interactive panel session. Whole room discussion and debate.
New Electric Vehicle brands are sweeping across the regional landscape, disrupting the established OEM order forever. As we become more used to the new models, more accepting of their quality and innovations and more aware of the public appetite for ownership of these brands, we look forward from managing repairs today, to the second-hand NEV car parc tomorrow – what will it all mean and how will it shape the future?
Dean Lander, Head of Operations, Thatcham Research, UK
Robyn Evans, Bodyshop Manager, Gargash Alfa Romeo and GAC, Dubai
3.00 pm – Conference Summary
Robert Snook summarises the conference session’s content and reviews key points and take-away actions. Confirms IBIS activity for 2025.
3.05 pm – Interactive and Educational Exhibition
Exhibitors showcase a range of new initiatives that enable guests to participate in fun, educational and informative activities with each Exhibitor, so they can test their knowledge, try out and learn new things and compete against their friends and fellow delegates for prizes to be announced at the Exhibition Awards. Tea and coffee will be served throughout.
5.00 pm – Closing Reception
Delegates are invited to relax and continue discussions by joining their industry colleagues at the new IBIS Middle East closing drinks reception.
6.00 pm – IBIS Middle East Closes
Delegates depart at leisure.
