right pattern left pattern

About meira

The Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA) Annual Conference and Awards is the largest IR event in MENA.

This benchmark event brings together participants from locally listed firms, international corporates, investors, research analysts and advisors, as well as representatives of the region's Regulatory bodies. The aim of the Conference is to provide delegates with a networking platform and to encourage dialogue around market challenges and best practice, while educating participants and stakeholders on the importance of Investor Relations, transparency and corporate governance.

Read more
About meira
about idx

About ADX

ADX is a market for trading securities; including shares issued by public joint stock companies, bonds issued by governments or corporations, exchange traded funds, and any other financial instruments approved by the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA). ADX is the second largest market in the Arab region and its strategy of providing stable financial performance with diversified sources of incomes is aligned with the guiding principles of the UAE “Towards the next 50” agenda. The national plan charts out the UAE’s strategic development scheme which aims to build a sustainable, diversified and high-value added economy that positively contributes to transition to a new global sustainable development paradigm.

Read more

Conference Summary

Start
2-day conference
The Conference will run over 2 days with various keynote presentations and thematic panel discussions and workshops.
Corporate Access for members
Corporate Access for members
Corporate access for MEIRA members during the two days.
Awards Dinner
Awards Dinner
Exclusive Awards Dinner to recognise the IR leaders in the Middle East.
Exclusive exhibition opportunities
Exclusive exhibition opportunities
Exclusive exhibition space and other opportunities to showcase your brand and services to a highly targeted audience.

New features for 2024

Buy-side
Buy-side
For the first time, the event will be actively targeted to the buy- and sell-side, bringing a wider investment community audience to the largest IR event in the region.
C-Suite
C-Suite
Bigger C-Suite audience and specific sessions with high-caliber and senior speakers.
Corporate Access
Corporate Access
The event will include an exclusively designed corporate access event during the two-day conference. Issuers will have the opportunity to meet regional and international investors.
Strategic partnerships
Strategic partnerships
The conference will run in the context of the Abu Dhabi Finance Week, leveraging the visibility and importance of the event for the capital markets.

Why attend?

  • Network with your peers and share your experience during the biggest IR event in the Middle East
  • Show your stakeholders that you are committed to improve IR best practice
  • Catch up on the latest industry trends and access a broad network of industry partners
  • Build brand awareness among the IR community in the Middle East and maximize your visibility

Panels

Explore our panelists and moderators

Panel 4 | The Future Is Now: AI and Digital Transformation In Investor Relations

December 11, 2024
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Speaker
David Grunfeld
David Grunfeld

David Grunfeld

Founder & CEO, aiiro AI
David Grunfeld

David is an experienced entrepreneur, investor and thought leader, with over two decades building successful knowledge service businesses and advising leading public and private sector organizations across the Middle East and beyond. 

He is the CEO of PS NXT, a DIFC-headquartered incubation platform for disruptive, high-growth AI and technology ventures in the brand, communications and content space. 

aiiro AI, the first venture launched by PS NXT, is the world’s first AI investor engagement platform for listed companies globally. It harnesses cutting-edge AI in a secure and user-friendly environment to attract, inform and engage investors and create value for IR teams and their organizations. 

He is also the Founder & MD of Prose, the leading content advisory and development firm in the Middle East, supporting the strategic communications and stakeholder engagement needs for hundreds of public and private organizations across the region over the last two decades.

A graduate of McGill University in Canada, David sits on the board of several companies and is a regular advisor and speaker focused on technology, strategic communication and investor relations.

Speaker
Malshini Silva
Malshini Silva

Malshini Silva

Chief Operating Officer, Smart Media
Malshini Silva

Leading Smart Media's operations, Malshini brings over a decade of in-depth experience in corporate reporting. She has played a pivotal role in the Company’s trail blazing journey. She is adept in all popular guidelines, frameworks, and standards pertaining to corporate reporting. These range from the GRI Standards, Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, to IFRS Foundation’s Integrated Reporting Framework. She has also been a key driver in transforming traditional reporting methods into cutting-edge digital solutions.

Speaker
Abdulwahab Zarah
Abdulwahab Zarah

Abdulwahab Zarah

Investor Relations Director, First Mills Company
Abdulwahab Zarah

Bring over 12 years of expertise in the field of finance and accounting, specializing in investment analysis and investor relations within high-profile Saudi joint stock and asset management companies. Throughout my career, I have contributed to leading organizations, including First Mills Company, Saudi National Bank, Nahdi Medical Company, Emaar Economic City, and Sidra Capital. Additionally, I have had the privilege of collaborating with prominent governmental entities such as the Royal Commission for AlUla and the Tourism Development Fund, supporting strategic financial initiatives that align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Academically, I hold a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Colorado Denver, USA, and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah. I am a Certified Investor Relations professional and have earned credentials in Securities Dealing and Wealth and Diversified Asset Management from the Financial Academy in Saudi Arabia, underscoring my commitment to fostering transparency and strategic communication in the investor relations field.

Speaker
Alícia Gallego Martinez
Alícia Gallego Martinez

Alícia Gallego Martinez

CEO & Adviser, Audere Strategies
Alícia Gallego Martinez

Alicia Gallego is an experienced communications and marketing expert with more than ten years of experience in international markets. She works as a Financial and Strategic Communications Adviser at Audere Strategies. In her role, Alicia works with various organisations, businesses and start-ups from the Middle East, United States, Latin America and Central Europe.

Previously, she was the Senior Manager, Policy and Strategic Communications at the Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA). Alicia started her career as Research and Business Intelligence Analyst, covering the Latin-American capital markets and M&A deals. She has also collaborated as an editor and writer with international financial media outlets.

Alicia is a Certified Investor Relations Officer since 2018. She holds an Executive MBA from Bayes Business School.

Moderator
Roger Tejwani
Roger Tejwani

Roger Tejwani

Senior Director, Investor Relations, Presight
Roger Tejwani

Having been in the UAE since 2022, Roger joined Presight as Senior Director, Investor Relations in 2024. He brings over 27 years of Capital Markets experience in both the UK and South Africa, across Investment Banking, Equity Research and Investor Relations. Roger holds a bachelor’s degree in European law, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (UK) and a Business and Finance Professional (ICAEW)

Agenda

Agenda

We are excited to announce that the agenda for the upcoming MEIRA Conference is now available! We've incorporated your valuable feedback into this high-level outline.
Download
ScheduleAgenda
8:15 - 9:15REGISTRATION AND NETWORKING
9:25 - 9:30Welcome Remarks by H.E Ghannam Butti Al Mazrouei, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchanges (ADX)
9:30 - 9:35Special Message by H.E Dr. Maryam Butti Al Suwaidi, CEO, Securities & Commodities Authority of the UAE
 
9:35 - 9:45Opening Keynote Speech by Klaus Froehlich, Group CIO at ADNOC Group
9:45 - 9:50Remarks by Andrew Tarbuck, Chair, MEIRA
9:50 - 10:25

PANEL 1
GCC Exchange CEOs Plenary: The Rise of the GCC: Unlocking Growth and Value Creation in the Regional Capital Markets

  • Engine Room of Growth: Unveiling the key drivers propelling the GCC's capital markets to new heights.
  • Crafting a Compelling Narrative: Strategies for crafting a captivating equity story that resonates with investors in the GCC.
  • Value Proposition 101: Effectively communicating value creation strategies and ensuring investor alignment.
  • The Regulatory Advantage: Exploring the role of evolving regulatory frameworks in fostering market growth and stability.
  • Benchmarking Success: Delving into real-world case studies of successful value creation within the GCC.
  • Economic Winds of Change: Analyzing the impact of broader economic trends on the trajectory of GCC capital markets.
  • Moderator:
    • Peter Gotke, MEIRA’s Board
  • Panelists: 
    • Sh. Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, CEO, Bahrain Bourse
    • Mr. Haitham Salim Al Salmi, CEO, Muscat Stock Exchange
    • Mr. Mohammed Sulaiman Al-Rumaih, CEO, Saudi Exchange
    • Mr. Abdulla Salem Al Nuaimi, Group CEO, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
    • Mr. Hamed Ali, CEO, DFM & Nasdaq
10:25 - 10:40

CASE STUDY – DELIVERING IR EXCELLENCE: ADNOC Drilling  

  • Presented by:
    • Abdulrahman Alseiari, Chief Executive Officer, ADNOC Drilling
    • Youssef Salem, Chief Financial Officer, ADNOC Drilling
10:40 - 11:00COFFEE BREAK  
11:00 - 11:05Ceremony – Announcing new TABADUL member
11:05 - 11:35

PANEL 2
Bridging the Divide – Fungibility and the Future of Cross-Exchange Trading

  • Dual Listing Dilemmas: Demystifying the complexities of dual listings and navigating the challenges posed by regulatory disparities across exchanges.
  • Connecting the Dots: Exploring cutting-edge innovations that enhance connectivity and interoperability among global stock exchanges.
  • Fungibility: Friend or Foe? Analyzing the impact of trading fungibility on market liquidity, arbitrage strategies, and overall market efficiency.
  • Building a Regulatory Bridge: Discussing the need for collaborative regulatory frameworks to streamline trading environments and facilitate cross-exchange activity.
  • Benefits for All: Identifying the advantages of cross-exchange trading for both institutional and retail investors.
  • The Future is Now: Unveiling emerging trends and technologies that are revolutionizing cross exchange trading and shaping the future of market access.
  • Moderator:
    • Matthew O’Keefe, Managing Director, FTI Consulting
  • Panelists: 
    • Saker Asllan, Chief Exchange Operations Officer, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
    • Tony Tooma, Senior Vice President, Middle East & Africa Sales, BNY Mellon
    • Zahi Bsaibes, Head of Primary Capital Markets, Middle East, London Stock Exchange
    • Redwan Ahmed, Group Senior Vice President - Investor Relations, DP World 
11:35 - 12:05

PANEL 3
The C-Suite Viewpoint: Why Investor Relations Matters

  • From Trust to Value: Building a foundation of trust and transparency through effective investor relations.
  • The IR Advantage: Unlocking the power of strategic investor relations to boost market valuation and shareholder confidence.
  • Communication is Key: Developing clear and consistent investor communication strategies for long-term success.
  • Beyond Compliance: Exploring the role of investor relations in fostering strong corporate governance practices.
  • Navigating Rough Waters: Proactive engagement during market volatility and building investor resilience.
  • The Long Game: Attracting and retaining long-term investment through a robust investor relations program.    
    • Moderator:
      • Marwa Faisal AlMaskati, Senior Director of Partnership Development, Sustainability and Communication, Bahrain Bourse
    • Panelists: 
      • Peter Van Driel, Chief Financial Officer, ADNOC Gas 
      • Sh. Ghassan Khamis Ali Al Hashar, Chief Financial Officer, Omantel
      • Hubert Lafeuille, Chief Financial Officer at Arabian drilling
      • Chris Wilson, Chief Financial Officer, Aldar Investment
12:05 - 12:25

FIRESIDE CHAT – Investor Engagement Best Practices. A view from Blackrock  

  • Presented by:
    • Manuel Isaza, Director Stewardship, BlackRock Investment Stewardship
    • Paolo Casamassima, Chief Executive Officer, MEIRA 
12:25 - 12:55

PANEL 4
The Future Is Now: AI and Digital Transformation In Investor Relations

  • Digital Revolution in IR: Most impactful digital tools applicable for IR and what it means for the scope of IR role. Recommended methods to enhance efficiency of financial reporting and analysis through AI
  • AI in IR: How AI is transforming IR workflows and processes. Emerging channels and methods of communication. Best practices for integrating AI-driven tools
  • Data Demystified: Leveraging data analytics to gain deeper insights into investor behaviour and preferences, peers and market sentiment. Leading practices for ensuring data integrity and accuracy 
  • The Power of Personalization: Utilizing digital insights to develop targeted and personalized IR strategies, including around communication and investor targeting
  • Regulatory considerations: Measures to ensure transparency and accountability when utilization digital tools and AI Digital compliance
    • Moderator:
      • Roger Brian Tejwani, Senior Director - Investor Relations, at Presight
    • Panelists: 
      • David Grunfeld, Founder, aiiro AI
      • Malshini Silva, Chief Operating Officer, Smart Media, The Annual Report Company
      • Abdulwahab Zarah, Investor Relations Director, First Mills Company
      • Alicia Gallego-Martinez, Founder & CEO, Audere Strategies
12:55 - 14:00LUNCH AND CORPORATE ACCESS 1
14:00 - 14:45CORPORATE ACCESS 2
15:00 - 15:45CORPORATE ACCESS 3
16:00 - 16:45CORPORATE ACCESS 4
17:00 - 17:45CORPORATE ACCESS 5
18:00 - 18:45CORPORATE ACCESS 6 (OPTIONAL) 
19:00END
 
AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS: Workshops run in couples simultaneously and last for 25 mins
14:00 - 14:25

WORKSHOP 1: Empowering The Region’s Retail Investors - by Edelman Smithfield

  • Presented by:
    • Issam Kassabieh, Account Director, Investor Relations, Edelman Smithfield
    • Ali Abdin, IR and Financial Communications Account Manager,
      Edelman Smithfield


WORKSHOP 2: Navigating Regulatory Compliance and Emerging Considerations - by Instictif Partners

  • Presented by:
    • Pablo Alday, Managing Partner, Instictif Partners
14:00 - 15:0012th GCC CEO Exchanges Meeting (Closed-Door, by invitation only)
14:30 - 14:55

WORKSHOP 3: The Integrated Reporting (and Thinking) Journey: A Case Study - by Smart Media

  • Presented by:
    • Malshini Silva, Chief Operating Officer, Smart Media The Annual Report Company


WORKSHOP 4: Mastering Earnings Calls – Best Practices for Engaging and Informative Earnings Events - by Lumi Global

  • Presented by:
    • Sylvie Harton, Chief Business Strategy Officer, Lumi Global 
14:55 - 15:15 COFFEE BREAK 
15:15 - 15:40 

AFTERNOON PANEL  – Integrating Governance and Investor Relations - by MEIRA & GCC BDI

  • Introduction and Remarks:
    • Andrew Tarbuck, Chairman, MEIRA
  • Moderator:
    • John Gollifer, Chief Executive Officer, GCC BDI
  • Panelists: 
    • Amani Korayeim, Director Corporate Product & Partnerships Europe/EMEA, Extel
    • Eline Hilal, Director – Investor Relations, Insurance, Aluminum Bahrain
    • Marc Hammoud, Head of Investor Relations, Abu Dhabi
      Ports Group
15:45 - 16:10 

WORKSHOP 5: Engaging North American Investors: Strategic Outreach for Middle Eastern Issuers - by InspIR Connect

  • Presented by:
    • Jeff Tewlow, Managing Director, InspIR Connect

WORKSHOP 6: Tabadul Session: Increase your global investor base via Tabadul Exchange Hub

  • Presented by:
    • Saker Asllan, Chief Exchange Operations Officer at ADX 
16:15 - 16:40

WORKSHOP 7: Mastering Reports: Guiding Newcomers and Overcoming Key 
Challenges for Experienced Professionals - by Fanda

  • Presented by:
    • Guy Lane, Head of Content, Fanda
    • Mikhail Seleznev, Senior Reporting Consultant and
      Sustainability Expert, Fanda

WORKSHOP 8: Leveraging AI to improve engagement with stakeholders - by Nasdaq

  • Presented by:
    • James Tickner, AVP – Head of Product, IR Intelligence, Nasdaq
    • Abishek Singh, Senior Director – IR , Nasdaq
16:45 - 17:10

WORKSHOP 9: Speaker Coaching and Story Telling for C-Suite and IROs - by Mediatree

  • Presented by:
    • Laurence Borde, Founder and Director, Mediatree

 

17:10END
Copy of What is the MEIRA corporate access?
Copy of When is it going to take place?
Copy of How do I register for the meetings?
Copy of Can I upgrade my package?

Become a sponsor

Why Sponsor?

Copy of Showcase your products and services
Copy of Connect with your target audience
Copy of Send the right signal to your audience
Copy of Brand exposure

Our Sponsors