International Music Summit (IMS), the thought-leadership platform at the heart of culture, education, industry, and wellness in electronic music, announces today the inaugural edition of IMS Dubai. For seventeen years IMS has united the global electronic music community annually in Ibiza to explore industry trends, innovations, and the challenges our diverse community faces. Now, in response to the growing importance of the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region as a cultural and industry hub, IMS is expanding its presence to the United Arab Emirates and a region driving investment, culture and innovation in electronic music.

Supported by partners AlphaTheta and Beatport, IMS Dubai is set to take place on November 2024, 14^th and 15^th at W Hotel Dubai – Mina Seyahi.

The two-day summit will bring together pioneering artists, thought leaders and key industry stakeholders to explore the intersection of music, finance, culture and technology in the MENA region. With a focus on investment, entrepreneurship, and business growth, IMS Dubai will serve as a forum for professionals and artists to explore emerging trends and capitalise on new opportunities, while celebrating the innovative music and rich cultural heritage of the MENA region, spotlighting the artists, collectives, and visionaries driving its evolution.

The choice of Dubai as the host city is a testament to the region’s growing influence in the global music scene. As a vibrant cultural hub, Dubai is renowned for its rich tapestry of traditions and its dynamic, forward-thinking approach to the arts. The city’s thriving nightlife and burgeoning DJ scene make it a natural fit for IMS. This move highlights Dubai’s unique position at the crossroads of East and West, making it an ideal location to foster cross-cultural exchanges and inspire new collaborations within the electronic music community.

“For almost two decades, International Music Summit (IMS) has united the global electronic music community annually in Ibiza to explore industry trends, innovations, and the challenges our diverse community faces – The IMS founders words – To make a global impact, IMS seeks to be where change is happening, which is why we’ve also hosted three editions of IMS Asia Pacific in Shanghai and one in Singapore, five IMS Engage events in Los Angeles, and three IMS College events in Malta. IMS Dubai will debut in the United Arab Emirates, marking a strategic expansion into the Middle East and North Africa. IMS, majority owned by Beatport, will not receive government or cultural funding or incentives for this initiative”.

IMS has a long international history of hosting international summits, with previous events hosted in Los Angeles (IMS Engage), Shanghai and Singapore (IMS China and IMS Asia-Pacific) and Malta (IMS College). This year, IMS Ibiza hosted 1,500 delegates from 54 countries across its three-day event, alongside 159 speakers and 208 press attendees at an event hosted by BBC Radio 1 broadcasters Pete Tong and Jaguar.

Badges for IMS Dubai will go on sale on September 2024, Thursday 19^th priced from dh435 with discounted badges available for full time students, under 27s and People of Determination priced from d215. 1% of all delegate badge and sponsor income from this event will be donated to IMS charity climate action partner EarthPercent.