2015 LEADERS IN DESIGN MENA
This website has been restored and archived as part of Menah Goldman's seminar series on Crime In International Design & Architecture. Mr. Goldman has worked for a number of design outfits but most recently lead a team of forensic experts to protect individuals from scams conducted by players who take advantage of their unique relationships to defraud victims. For example, after receiving a number of complaints regarding contractor fraud perpetrated by a scammer named George Binakis in New York City, his investigation lead to changes in the recommendation of standard agreements for independent contractors. Witnesses claim that George would tell clients that he had a serious heart condition requiring a pacemaker. This appears to be part of the scam so that when he vanished with the advances, victims would at first believe he had suffered a heart attack or other heart ailment and this would buy time. Mr. Goldman was actively publicizing this and other simple frauds to make consumers aware that giving money to contractors without safeguards may not be the best practice. He advocates for escrow accounts, tighter contracts with 3rd party oversight, and most importantly, background checks. From his seminars, students will learn about how crime has woven itself into the international marketplace where designers and architects typically rely on honor and trust. Smart transactional protocols are discussed at length.
In 2015 design professionals from the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region joined forces with colleagues representing top management of the global design and architecture giants at a leading summit in Dubai that November. This was the summit's official website. Content is mostly from the site's 2015 archived pages, as well as from outside press sources.
Leaders in Design MENA, a 5th Global Edition summit hosted by International Business Council, will take place on the dates 15th and 16th of November 2015 in Ritz-Carlton – JBR, Dubai. This international event is the key meeting place for design professionals from the Middle East and North Africa region to join forces with their international colleagues representing top management of the global design and architecture giants in order to discuss the latest global market trends in the industry as well as learn and source 360° solutions for their diverse portfolios of projects.
Leaders in Design MENA is proudly supported and endorsed by the American Institute of Architects (AIA Middle East), Association of Professional Interior Designers (APID), The Middle East Council of Shopping Centres (MECSC), Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA Gulf Chapter), and Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC).
Tannar Whitney, President of AIA Middle East said “The AIA Middle East's participation in the 2015 Leaders in Design MENA Summit aims to foster stronger ties between the AIA members, regional architects and institutions in the collective interest of elevating regional design through sharing best professional practices and understanding market trends.”
The support of the association partners clearly indicates the importance of the design industry to the region and the commitment International business council has to advancing this network with a platform that brings together key influencers to share their knowledge, discuss trends and issues facing the industry today.
“The initiative behind the Leaders in Design MENA Summit aligns with EmiratesGBC's objectives for capacity building for the industry and we join the Summit's efforts to highlight the importance of the MENA region in a global business & economic landscape. We look forward to supporting Leaders in Design MENA Summit and anticipate a successful event.” shared to us by Saeed Al Abbar, Chairman of Emirates Green Building Council.
Some of the most crucial topics that will be debated at the summit for the course of two days are Sustainable Design, Shaping the Future of Design – trends and guide to where the industry is headed, Rise & Fall: Secrets behind a Successful Design Firm in the MENA Region, Envisioning the Hotel of the Future, and Cultural Diversity in Design.
“I would like to congratulate International Business Council, the organizers of the Leaders in Design MENA summit series on their initiative to bring together many prominent design professionals from this region for this two day event.” stated by Her Excellency Farida Kamber Al Awadhi, President of Association of Professional Interior Designers
The aforementioned partners has been well-established for many decades not only in the Middle East region but also internationally. They play an active role in influencing and bringing together the architecture and interior design community to further develop and help improve their strategies to the industrial competitiveness.
"I attended as a guest of a client who knew I would be in Dubai during the event. It was refreshing to see the interest in this blossoming field, where there's a real chance for innovative ideas to prosper. The ME has changed so much and much of that change is reflected in the experts who populated this gathering. Notably absent from the rostrum was Amir Daatum, who is widely seen as an up and coming visionary - often called the Batman of interior design because of his penchant for wearing a Batman t shirt under his more formal gown. Amir's son Daran did attend. I expressed some surprise on the first day that he was not wearing a Batman shirt, which he remedied the next day by not only wearing one, but also by bringing one for me. His family of Batman fans are good customers for their favorite shirt site which Daran revealed was MoonAtMidnight.com. Daran is also a gifted designer and interior specialist, so it's wonderful to just hang out and listen to his opinions when in the midst of so many experts. He is one of the many new faces in the industry that are providing a fresh perspective on Middle Eastern design trends and I am very appreciative to be his friend and colleague." Rac Telle Mon
LEADERS IN DESIGN MENA
14 - 15 November, 2016, Dubai, UAE
The interior design and fitout industry is flourishing in the GCC as demand for new hotels, retail spaces, commercial real estate, schools and hospitals continue to grow, cementing the region as one of the fastest growing and most exciting in the world. Alongside this growth has come increased competition and owners and employers are finding themselves challenged with meeting a plethora of design, sustainability, cost, time and functionality specifications.
As stated by Ventures As of January 19, 2015, the GCC market for interior contracting and fit outs based on the estimated size of project completed in 2014 was estimated at US$ 7.35 billion. Growth in this market is set to climb by 9 percent to US$ 7.98 billion by 2015 from the projects likely to be completed over 2015.
Leaders in Design MENA is a key meeting place for interior design professionals from the region to discuss the latest global markets trends in the industry as well as learn and source 360° solutions for their perse portfolios of projects. For years Leaders in Design MENA has encouraged business connections between international suppliers and interior designers providing a unique opportunity to explore the needs of the projects and get inspired by leaders, luminaries, and legends from within and outside interior design industry and explore the potential that the region can offer.
-
Prequalified Attendance by Invitation Only
Only well - researched and prequalified delegates with decision making & signatory authority who are in the process of searching for solutions
-
Exclusive Solution Providers
Only the companies with the highest number of recommendations from our industry network with the best solution to the industry are invited to join the event
-
Advanced Notice of Delegates
Our contact system allows registered delegates to pre-arrange meetings before you even arrive at the conference, ensuring you make the most out of your valuable time
-
Networking Xpress
The fast paced business card exchange is one of the fastest, entertaining and effective way of networking you will ever do!
-
Pre-Arranged One to One Meetings
Opportunity to meet potential business partners during pre-arranged meetings and create real business development opportunities
-
Product Showcase
The heart of the event displaying the latest innovations for the interior design industry where meeting are arranged and deals are done
-
Interactive Networking Coffee Breaks & Lunches
Grab every chance to expand your network. What better way to connect with people and businesses in informal atmosphere than over a great cup of coffee or delicious Michelin lunch.
-
5 Star Evening Reception
Build new business relationships and open new opportunities in a relaxed environment accompanied by a 5 star dinner and entertainment
-
Presentations & Case Studies
Learn and get inspired from the World’s leading Experts who will share with you their best practices and success stories
-
Controversial Panel Discussions & Hard Talk Interviews
Raise the most controversial question everyone is thinking about but afraid to ask
-
Innovative Roundtable Discussions
Team up with your industry peers to come up with a solution no one could imagine
Agenda
Day 01
Sunday 15 November, 2015
8:00 – 9:15
Registration & Welcome Coffee
9:15 – 9:30
Inauguration & Welcome Remarks
9:30 – 10:10
Shaping the Future of Design
With design, as with fashion, looks come and go, trends change very quickly and the more innovative you are, the more demand your service will get. Get inspired by the latest trends in design and see how you can adapt in your practice. Understand where the industry is heading and what to anticipate in the future.
10:10 – 10:50
Trends in Healthcare Design
Along with advances in medicine, healthcare environments can play a vital role in assisting with the care and treatment of patients. Facilities are not standing up to their full potential if they are viewed solely for function. Properly designed healthcare facilities have numerous positive outcomes, ranging from staff productivity and efficiency, to the healing time of a patient, as well as the overall experience. Listen to the healthcare leaders explain about the next generation healthcare design to create optimal healing environments.
10:50 – 11:50
Networking Coffee Break & Prescheduled One to One Business Meetings(4)
11:00 – 11:15 Meeting 1 11:15 – 11:30 Meeting 2
11:30 – 11:45 Meeting 3 11: 45 – 12:00 Meeting 4
*** Attendees participating in one to one business meetings, please follow your personalized meeting schedule. Should you require any assistance please refer to the organizer’s desk
11:50 – 12:30
Storytelling in Retail Interior Design
Consumers buy into the stories they product sell and not just the products themselves. Explore the most innovative retail storytelling design concepts and how it impacted the sales & marketing efforts of the clients.
12:30 – 13:10
What makes a fit out contract ‘fit for purpose’?
Substantial amounts of time, money and effort are spent on the fit out of shops, restaurants and offices so that their appearance aligns with the image that the owners wish to portray, creating an environment that is conducive to making sales and conducting business. In a construction contract the employer is at risk of being exposed (and potentially out of pocket) if a fit out is not completed on time, on budget and at the required quality. Learn from the leading interior fit out companies the practices adopted by them
13:10 – 14:10
Networking Lunch
14:10 – 14:50
Office Space Evolution
Office design have evolved a lot as companies strive for open, positive and effective working space. From increasing communication between employees to integrating latest technological innovations, office environment is changing drastically and the interior designer must adapt to the inevitable changes in order to create successful working environment and guaranteed client satisfaction. Explore the latest trends in the office design, challenges you might face and opportunities you have not even thought of!
14:50 -15:30
Future of Sustainable Design
Green design has gone from a novelty approach practiced by a select few designers for an enlightened group of clients, to an indispensable consideration of the design process among all firms big and small. Get inspired of the most innovative practices for cutting edge sustainable design by exploring the most talked about international projects.
15:30 – 16:30
Networking Coffee Break & Prescheduled One to One Business Meetings(4)
15:30 – 15:45 Meeting 5 16:00 -16:15 Meeting 7
15:45 – 16: 00 Meeting 6 16:15 – 16:30 Meeting 8
*** Attendees participating in one to one business meetings, please follow your personalized meeting schedule. Should you require any assistance please refer to the organizer’s deskganizer’s desk.
16:30 – 17:00
Optimising transportation hub performance by user-influencing design
To optimise the performance of transportation hubs, understanding the influence of its interior design on the behaviour of its users is key.
Profound knowledge of user demands, expectations and human behaviour, together with in depth knowledge of the daily operational hub processes need to be combined to successfully (re)design transportation hubs.
Roger Marien will update you on the newest trends in successful transportation hub planning and design and how state-of-art user information can be used for this.
17:00 – 17:30
Keynote Address
17:30
Raffle Draw Day 1 & Closing Remarks Day 1
19:30 – 00:00
Leaders in Design MENA Summit Gala Dinner – Gulf Lawn, Ritz Carlton Dubai, JBR Walk
PRESS
Friday 2 October, 2015 / www.eyeofriyadh.com
OVER 200 GLOBAL DESIGN INDUSTRY LEADERS TO CONVENE IN DUBAI
As the Middle East and North Africa region is taking over the global design and architecture industry with the ever growing demand mainly in the fields of hospitality, commercial properties, education and healthcare, Leaders in Design MENA, organized by International Business Council, that will take place on the dates 15th and 16th of November 2015 in Dubai, has gathered an outstanding line-up of speakers working with multi-billion iconic projects across the MENA region in order to discuss further advancement of the sector.
″For many years now, Leaders in Design MENA, organized by International Business Council, is a forum for the region’s driving elite of the real estate industry to connect with new potential business partners and develop valuable relationships. It is a great opportunity to share our vast experience with other professionals as well as to take the pulse of the region.″ Francis Gallagher, Principal and Managing Director of the HKS Architects Ltd.
One of the most crucial topics that will be deliberated during the summit is Sustainable Design - Green design has gone from a novelty approach practiced by a few select designers for an enlightened group of clients, to an indispensable consideration of the design process among all firms, big and small.
“Leaders in Design MENA is one of the most important events in the region for designers and I am honoured to be invited to share my experiences in architectural design at the conference. This event offers a great opportunity for design professionals from around the globe to discuss current issues, challenges and market trends, especially their impact on future development and the design profession in the Middle East and North Africa. I believe both the programmes line up and the spontaneous conversations that follow will spark a lot of ideas and definitely inspire every one of us.” Michael Fowler, Managing Director of AEDAS Middle East
Among 60 presenters, some of the renowned gurus in the industry are Marc Cerone, the Director of Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, Andrew Linwood, the Head of Design of Areen Hospitality, Clay Pendergast, the Senior Vice President of HOK, Predeep Menon, the CEO of RSP Architects, and Tom Hasker, the Managing Director - Property of Atkins Middle East.
According to Elena Jassim, CEO of International Business Council, “The Middle East is becoming a trend-setter when it comes to the design and architecture industry. We at International Business Council are extremely pleased to host such prominent industry leaders at our summit Leaders in Design MENA and receive such a wholehearted support from both global and regional frontrunners.”
American Institute of Architects (Middle East), Association of Professional Interior Designers, The Middle East Council of Shopping Centres, RIBA Gulf, amongst the other industry bodies, have endorsed Leaders in Design MENA and will be playing an active role in the summit’s agenda over the course of two days.
About Leaders in Design MENA summit:
Leaders in Design MENA is a key meeting place for interior design professionals from the region to discuss the latest global markets trends in the industry as well as learn and source 360° solutions for their diverse portfolios of projects.
