Beatport Presents International Music Summit (IMS) Dubai 2025, returning on Thursday, November 13th and Friday, November 14th at 25hours Hotel One Central.

Proudly supported by DubaiNight as official media partners, the two-day summit unites global and regional thought leaders. Sessions will explore the intersections of music, culture, finance, and technology across the MENA region.

A sharpened lineup of speakers

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Co-hosted by Pete Tong and Nooriyah, IMS Dubai 2025 elevates its platform with a curated mix of artists, executives, and innovators. The speaker lineup includes HUGEL, Nicole Moudaber, Bedouin, Rolbac, Misty, and Jade, joined by fresh voices DJ Habibeats, Josh Baker, Vanco, AYA, Gawdat, and Sarah Hardan.

Industry powerhouses from Spotify, YouTube, TikTok, Beatport, Sony Music Publishing, IFPI, WME, and MDLBEAST complete a global roster. Each voice adds to a growing conversation about how electronic music, technology, and culture are reshaping creative economies across the Middle East.

“It is a really exciting moment for electronic music across the region, and gatherings like this give us the chance to connect, learn, and help shape the future of the scene together,” said DJ Habibeats, who will appear across multiple sessions including The Habibification of House Music.

The IMS Dubai 2025 Speaker Lineup features global and regional leaders shaping the future of music, culture, and technology.

Music, culture, and creative exchange

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At the heart of IMS Dubai lies the Music & Culture Room, designed to explore how art, identity, and innovation intersect. The sessions range from creative storytelling to deeper examinations of how local movements connect with global audiences.

Notable talks include The Story Behind the Song of the Summer with Vanco and AYA, Mahraganat: From the Streets to the Mainstream by Believe, and Is the DJ Booth the New Runway? presented by Istituto Marangoni.

This year’s programme emphasises inclusivity and representation, from Leading by Example: The Power of Female Role Models in Music to The Past, Present & Future of MENA Nightlife by SceneNoise, reflecting the pulse of the region’s ever-evolving music scene.

Top sessions to attend at IMS Dubai 2025

IMS Dubai’s expanded agenda brings focus to sessions that merge creativity with commerce, amplifying the region’s talent and entrepreneurial spirit.

Music & Culture Room

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Get Played, Get Paid Part 2: Royalties in the Middle East – Presented by AFEM, this session decodes the financial backbone of music rights in emerging markets.

Going Against the Grain: Trailblazers of SWANA’s Underground Sound – Celebrating independent collectives reshaping the region’s creative boundaries.

Is the DJ Booth the New Runway? – A conversation about fashion’s growing influence within electronic culture.

Leading by Example: The Power of Female Role Models in Music – Celebrating women transforming both sound and structure.

No Scene Without the Scene: Investing in Grassroots for Long-Term Impact – Exploring how sustainable growth starts from within local communities.

Market Focus: Lebanon – A look at Lebanon’s creative resilience and its potential to influence the global stage.

Raving Dubai: Club Culture in the Middle East’s Most International City – A local perspective on Dubai’s rapid evolution as a nightlife capital.

The Habibification of House Music: Navigating the Line Between Appreciation & Appropriation – DJ Habibeats explores authenticity and cultural respect.

The Importance & Impact of Homegrown Festivals – Unpacking how regional festivals fuel artistic ecosystems.

The Pyramids Playbook: Staging Monumental Electronic Music Experiences – Presented by Venture Lifestyle & P+US, a masterclass in scale and spectacle.

The Past, Present & Future of MENA Nightlife – SceneNoise moderates a cultural timeline that ties legacy to tomorrow.

Tech & Finance Room

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Tokenization of Music: 101 – A gateway into Web3 and blockchain’s influence on music monetisation.

Music in Gaming & Virtual Concerts: State of Market – Breaking down digital performances and their commercial impact.

Beatport Connect: Josh Baker in Conversation with Pete Tong – A creative dialogue between two industry heavyweights.

Pete Tong DJ Academy: Inside Nicole Moudaber’s Studio Process – A technical deep dive into her production workflow.

And More on the Agenda

Delegates can also expect Diaspora: Arab Music Around the World, AMA: Live Music in the MENA Region, Mahraganat: From the Streets to the Mainstream, and Spotlight Sessions featuring Addmind, Factory People, and MDLBEAST Foundation, offering a panoramic look at the ecosystem driving MENA’s sound.

Tech, finance, and the future of music

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The Tech & Finance Room spotlights innovation shaping the business of music. With support from Beatport.io, Polkadot, and Avalanche, sessions explore how decentralisation, NFTs, and tokenised assets redefine creative ownership and fan engagement.

These discussions sit alongside hands-on workshops like DJ Mag’s How To DJ Live with DJ Habibeats and Nicole Moudaber’s Studio Session by the Pete Tong DJ Academy, merging knowledge with inspiration.

Beyond the panels: nights and networking

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IMS Dubai extends beyond daytime talks. Delegate badges unlock entry to exclusive nightlife programming, beginning with the Official Pre-Party featuring Nicole Moudaber at Reunion on Wednesday, November 12th.

The following evenings bring Beatport Live showcases, rooftop sessions hosted by Ibiza Global Radio, Mixmag UAE, and Beat FM, and pop-ups across Dubai’s leading venues — including Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour Experience, Surf Club, Be Beach, and Monkey Bar.

Between panels, delegates can connect at the Jameson Lounge, home to the Green Sofa Stage, where artists and fans gather for conversation and culture under Jameson’s signature green glow.

Empowering future talent

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New talent takes centre stage with Beatport Presents IMS Dubai and Pete Tong DJ Academy’s open call for rising DJs. The winner earns a live performance slot at the summit, plus a one-year PRO Scholarship with full access to DJ, production, and mastering courses.

Meanwhile, IMS Accelerator, powered by KOR Protocol, returns to mentor start-ups driving the next wave of music-tech innovation. One selected founder will gain direct access to global mentors, partnerships, and stage time to present their ideas.

A regional summit with global reach

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IMS Dubai 2025 stands as the MENA region’s definitive gathering point for ideas, artistry, and innovation. It bridges the underground with the boardroom, connecting local voices to global audiences and turning Dubai into the conversation capital of electronic music.

International Music Summit Dubai 2025. Thursday, November 13th – Friday, November 14th, 2025. 25hours Hotel One Central, Dubai. Delegate badges available now via internationalmusicsummit.com

Beatport Presents IMS Dubai 2025 Reveals Latest Speaker Lineup

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