Unite, uplift, and connect the global advisory board profession.
With a five-fold surge in the advisory profession over the past five years, Dubai is rapidly positioning itself as a global hub for modern, integrated governance.
In a region being shaped by rapid change, the Summit will showcase the deep expertise of the advisor community. We hear from global thought leaders as they explore the application of advisory board best practice in government, universities and state-backed entities.
We dive into the complexities of advising families in business and the evolving role of the trusted advisor. We will interrogate the current landscape for innovation and investment in the region and the vital role advisors are playing in the ecosystem to support omni-sector transformation. Finally, we take the opportunity to understand success drivers for individual advisory board professionals and the role that profiling, connection and relationship play in driving opportunity.
This is a chance to engage with leaders that are shaping the sector, to connect with advisors that are influencing the direction of policy and business and to build upon your existing or emerging role in the advisory board ecosystem.
In this environment of speed and development, the challenge for the advisory board profession is to go beyond and look to the next horizons. Join us!
Tickets for this event are strictly limited. Register early to avoid missing your opportunity to join your peers!
Looking to take your advisory skills to the next level? Two professional development programs will be offered during the week of the Megatrends Summit. See the bottom of the page for more information.
We look forward to opening up active conversations and deep consideration of key themes, with perspectives and insights shared by leading experts to spark your own commentary.
Each panel session deliberately includes important time for peer group discussion and sharing across the room.
ADVISORY MEGATRENDS
9.30am: Global Trends in Advisory Boards & Modern Governance: State of the Market 2025-2027
REGIONAL MEGATRENDS
11.00am: Advisory Boards & Modern Governance in Universities, Government & Government-owned Organisations
12.00pm: Families in Business: Advisors of Influence
2.00pm: Investing in Innovation: Trends Shaping Regional Reinvention
3.30pm: The Role of the Trusted Advisor: Navigating with an Ethical Compass
ADVISORY MASTERCLASS
4.00pm: The Advisor Profile: Keys to Successful Portfolio-Building
UNITE & CONNECT
5.15pm: Networking Event
This is not your usual conference or summit. It is not a day of keynote presentations from the stage to a silent audience.
Rather, this is a unique opportunity to learn and discuss in peer groups, to hear from industry leaders as they set the scene for deeper conversations and then to share your own perspectives on key themes impacting the market.
It is an exclusive opportunity to network and make deep connections with like-minded professionals with experienced across the broadest range of professional endeavours
ADVISORY MEGATRENDS
Global Trends in Advisory Boards & Modern Governance: State of the Market 2025-2027
Advisory board adoption globally provides insights into the way modern governance is requiring an agile way to respond to market changes and volatility.
This presentation and discussion will explore the global emergence of advisory boards and in particular on emerging markets where environments of self regulation are harnessing this trend faster than others.
Advisory Boards & Modern Governance in Universities, Government & Government-owned Organisations
In a region with deep ambition for 2030 and beyond – captured across the region in key transformation initiatives – consultation, assurance and good stewardship are all important requirements in the achievement of regional goals and the establishment of trust within government policy, direction and institutions.
This session will explore regional dynamics and the role advisory boards play now and in the future.
Families in Business: Advisors of Influence
Family offices and families in business have deep influence in the region and this is growing.
Led by Anthony Boukather, this round table discussion will evaluate the internal and external trends of families in business and the diverse cultural perspectives driving this influence.
Investing in Innovation: Trends Shaping Regional Reinvention
In a region of deep reinvention and investment, what investments are gaining attention and how is the investment landscape shifting?
Exploring the investor profile, this panel will look at the role of eco-systems including accelerators, incubators, governments and advisors.
The Role of the Trusted Advisor: Navigating with an Ethical Compass
In this session, we will be looking through an advisor lens and considering the importance of building and maintaining trust with clients and other members. What are the pitfalls in the Trusted Advisor Equation?
James Babb, a seasoned advisor, will share real life examples and a hypothetical group discussion on navigating potentially challenging ethical situations.
The Advisor Profile: Keys to Successful Portfolio-Building
Led by Mike Al-Nassir, this session will explore three keys to building a portfolio. Profile, Relationships and Opportunities.
How to build a profile to gain visibility and build networks. How to develop relationships and networks of value in creating opportunities. How to maximise or leverage Opportunities for impact.
An experienced panel will share winning techniques they have used in building their mega profiles in the market.
Networking Event
Connect with the community – join your peers for relaxed conversations and reflections from the day.
| Session 1: Global Trends in Advisory Boards & Modern Governance: State of the Market 2025-2027 | ||||
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| Session 2: Advisory Boards & Modern Governance in Universities, Government & Government-owned Organisations | ||||
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| Session 3: Families in Business: Advisors of Influence | ||||
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| Session 4: Investing in Innovation: Trends Shaping Regional Reinvention | ||||
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| Session 5: The Role of the Trusted Advisor: Navigating with an Ethical Compass | ||||
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| Session 6: The Advisor Profile: Keys to Successful Portfolio-Building | ||||
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Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
444W+J75 Palm West Beach Palm – Jumeirah Road – The Palm Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Early Bird Pricing
Early Bird is open until 4:00pm on 12 September 2025 (AEST).
Standard Pricing
Standard Pricing is open from 4:00pm on 12 September 2025 (AEST) until registrations close at 10:00am on 17 November 2025 (AEST)
Note:
Pricing is shown in AED. Tickets can be purchased in AED, USD, SAR, AUD, SGD, EUR or GBP.
Members of the Advisory Board Centre receive significant discounts on ticket prices. Member Discounts are applied when you add your Member Coupon Code into the Coupon Code box in your Cart, which is the screen after you click on the Enrol button above.
Before you click on Enrol, make sure you have your Member Coupon Code for this event. Not sure what the code is? Simply go to this page on Advisory Board World to find the code.
The Summit is part of The Megatrends Summit & Programs: Dubai 2025, a series of events the Advisory Board Centre is running in Dubai.
Discounts apply for attending multiple events. For more information on available packages, please contact [email protected].
Dubai will host the 2025 Global Summit to showcase this influential hub and the deep expertise of the advisor community across the region. Its modern city is complex, dynamic and fast moving with rising importance and global significance.
The Certified Chair™ Executive Program is the only executive education globally developed specifically for the advisory sector. During the program, you will build on your current skills and knowledge to deliver new value in your portfolio to support the chairing of advisory boards, executive committees, councils or board level meetings.
A research-backed and evidence-based program focusing on effective facilitation skills and management of the advisory board. It has been specifically designed to empower experienced Chairs and Facilitators to maximise their personal impact – both at and away from the advisory board table.