The Middle East Council of Shopping Centres & Retailers (MECS+R) hosted its first-ever Retail Congress Mena in Riyadh, from November 4 to 5, making a resounding impact on the Mena retail landscape. 

 

Bringing together industry giants, thought leaders, and key stakeholders, the congress unfolded in the prestigious Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Hotel, under the inspiring theme “GENESIS – IGNITE: The Genesis of Vision 2030, Reigniting Retail.”

 

This historic debut in Saudi Arabia set the stage for engaging dialogue on the country’s vision for 2030, addressing the sector’s role in national growth through transformative, sustainable, and customer-centered strategies. 

 

Key themes

From dynamic discussions led by John Sanei, renowned futures strategist, to tech-driven insights from Veemal Gungadin, CEO of Gevme, the congress tackled key themes around strategic execution, technology integration, and leadership in a rapidly evolving market.

 

At the heart of this year’s congress was the MECS+R Shopping Centre & Retailer Mena Awards, honouring trailblazers across the retail industry who are shaping the future of shopping and customer experiences across the Mena region. 

 

Acknowledging best practices in innovation, sustainability, and retail excellence, the awards spotlighted leaders and organisations who have demonstrated unparalleled commitment to industry advancement.

 

30th anniversary

With the close of this landmark event in Riyadh, excitement is mounting for MECS+R’s 30th Anniversary Celebration in Dubai on December 12, 2024, hosted at the Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, UAE. This extraordinary event will gather industry pioneers, members, and partners to celebrate three decades of MECS+R’s impactful journey, featuring high-calibre networking, enriching discussions, and moments that pay tribute to the legacy and forward momentum of the organisation.

 

This inaugural success in Saudi Arabia has set the stage for an even more dynamic gathering next year. We look forward to welcoming the industry back at the Retail Congress Mena 2025.--TradeArabia News Service