His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa brings over 15 years of dynamic professional experience in
various commercial, tourism and economic fields in Sharjah.

Under his leadership, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Authority (SCTDA) has achieved many
successes at both international and local levels, becoming a major cornerstone of the emirate’s
tourism development efforts. Al Midfa has taken the emirate’s events and forums to even higher
standards. Further cementing his commitment to taking Sharjah’s tourism success to new
heights, Al Midfa continues to play key a role in the execution of the new tourism strategy that
aims to attract 10 million visitors by 2021; including SCTDA’s adoption of four strategic pillars.

Beside his responsibilities as the Chairman of SCTDA, Al Midfa is also a member of the Sharjah
Executive Council, the Chairman of the Higher Committee of National Day Celebrations in Sharjah
and the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Sharjah International Marine Club. Prior
to taking on the role of SCTDA Chairman, Al Midfa served in a senior administrative role at the
Sharjah Airport Free Zone.

Dr. Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat is the current Managing Director of the Jordan Tourism Board; the leader in positioning and promoting Jordan as the destination of choice in international markets.

Prior to his position at the Jordan Tourism Board, Dr. Arabiyat filled the position of Finance Department Director at the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission as well as previously holding that position and the position of Director of Administrative Affairs at the Commission simultaneously.

Preceding that, Dr. Arabiyat worked in several ministerial positions including; Serving in the Financial Department at the Ministry of Planning before moving on to becoming the Head of Auditing as well as Financial Manager at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities before moving on to becoming the Financial & Administrative Manager for the Tourism Development Project
( JICA)

Dr. Arabiyat holds a PHD in Finance from the Amman Arab University for Graduate Studies, a Masters degree in Banking and Financial Science from the Arab Academy for Banking and Financial Science and a BA in Public Administration and Political Science from the University of Jordan.

His Excellency Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry is Director General of Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) in Ajman, UAE.

Mr Al Geziry, a seasoned marketing professional who possesses a wealth of global tourism experience, is widely- known in the UAE tourism industry for his exceptional leadership skills, as well as his unique ability to identify and maximize growth opportunities.

Mr Al Geziry, who was announced to be ATDD’s Director General in May 2017, is responsible for strategically strengthening Ajman’s economy through attracting tourists and inward investment into the emirate while delivering Ajman’s tourism vision for 2021.

Prior to joining ATDD, Mr Al Geziry held executive leadership positions, with increasing responsibility, at Meraas, a Dubai-based holding company whose destinations includes City Walk, The Beach, Boxpark and Blue waters, a man-made mixed-use island off the coast of Jumeirah Beach Residence, among others. In his capacities as Director of Hospitality and Vice President of Retail Marketing, Promotions and Recreations, Mr Al Geziry led several world-class projects and was responsible for overseeing the expansion of the company’s portfolio in the hospitality and retail sector.

Early in his career, Mr Al Geziry spent more than a decade marketing Dubai’s tourism
industry as part of his role as Director of Overseas Promotions and Inward Missions at The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), where he developed and implemented successful tourism initiatives that helped to position Dubai as a global business and leisure destination.

During his tenure at DTCM, Mr Al Geziry led high-profile international delegations and organized more than 100 exhibitions and road shows across diverse geographies. He also managed a wide variety of marketing campaigns, including Kids Go Free, a summer promotion that encouraged the growth of family tourism, while overseeing the activities of DTCM’s overseas offices, and serving as a spokesperson for the establishment.

Mr Al Geziry is a winner of the Dubai Government Excellence Programme Award and was a member of the International Promotions Committee for the National Council of Tourism and Antiquities.

He holds a BBA in Marketing from the American University in Dubai and an Executive Diploma in Public Administration from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Republic of Singapore.

Marwan Al Sarkal was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shurooq in 2009 at the time of its establishment as per the Emiri Decree no.2 of 2009 that was issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. In his capacity as CEO, he intensified efforts to drive and lead the investment and cultural growth and development of Sharjah.

H.E. Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal is Executive Chairman of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), an entity tasked with leading the continued transformation and economic diversification of the emirate of Sharjah.

Operating under the wise directives of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and under the vision of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Shurooq, HE Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal played an integral role in transforming Sharjah’s economic infrastructure, diversifying markets and facilitating new investments by leading projects and partnerships across major sectors such as tourism, healthcare, environmental, logistics, real-estate, retail and light manufacturing.

Al Sarkal has spearheaded all the major infrastructural projects and key partnerships at Shurooq, initiating the development of its portfolio of projects, initiatives and partnerships estimated at a total value of more than AED 10 billion (more than USD 2 billion), and covering Sharjah’s western, central and eastern regions.

His creative, innovative thinking and ambitious drive, rooted in the emirate’s traditions, has enabled Shurooq to adopt worldclass standards in providing an array of services and infrastructural facilities to attract investors from the UAE, the Middle East, and beyond.

Issam Kazim is the CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), which was established in December 2013 as an affiliate of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism).

Having built and developed DCTCM’s team from the ground up, as well as its large network of international offices, Kazim leads all activities vis-à-vis the branding, promotion and marketing of the emirate of Dubai. He is instrumental in negotiating and facilitating global partnerships and plays an integral role in the development of relationships with industry stakeholders, partners and investors that contribute to the overall growth in visitation to the city. He also regularly acts as a key media spokesperson and the face of Dubai Tourism for events, presentations, interviews and visiting VIP delegations, influencers, public personalities and government bodies.

Kazim’s accomplishments since taking up his post at DCTCM in February 2014 include developing innovative destination tools and dynamic digital platforms to enhance the visitor experience in Dubai. He has also played a pivotal role in facilitating high profile broadcast productions such as Amazon Prime’s The Grand Tour, as well as other initiatives that have helped showcase Dubai as a ‘must-visit’ destination. Kazim has also initiated collaborations with A-list celebrities including an award-winning #BeMyGuest campaign featuring Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

Kazim previously worked as Director of DXB Live and Commercial at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), and successfully launched strategic live events including Dubai Music Week.

Ben has over 20 years experience in communications at world leading agencies with a particular focus on building and managing international corporate reputations.

Ben leads Edelman UK’s International Affairs practice which provides strategic communications consultancy to clients looking to build, enhance or protect reputations across multiple markets. These clients encompass a mix of NGOs, government agencies, foundations, philanthropists and sovereign state-owned bodies.

Ben has a particular focus on developing compelling narratives and strategic campaigns to support international governments enhance their economic development ambitions across multiple markets.

Ben has run major international communications campaigns for destinations including Chile, Canada, Tunisia, Morocco, Armenia and Dubai.

Prior to joining Edelman, Ben was Head of Issues and Crisis for Ogilvy PR London.