MENA's dedicated vape business event

Conference, Exhibits and Networking

5-6 September 2023. Dubai, UAE

ABOUT VAPENET

VapeNet is MENA's dedicated B2B event for the vape community
The Middle East vape market is booming, thanks to the relaxation of regulations, high income levels, and a growing preference for reduced-risk products.

VapeNet Middle East is the region's first conference and exhibition that will bring together vape manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers to debate industry issues, form new alliances and expand their market reach.

With an industry-leading conference, focused exhibition and much more, this is an unmissable event for anyone looking to grow their vape business in the Middle East.

CONFERENCE
SHOWCASE
NETWORKING

WHAT TO EXPECT

200+

PARTICIPANTS

15+

EXHIBITORS

100+

DISTRIBUTORS

2

DAYS

WHY EXHIBIT

Make new connections and grow your distribution network
The region’s top wholesalers and retailers will be there, all looking to source suitable products and brands for their respective markets. With a focused exhibition and numerous networking opportunities, you can meet your potential partners face-to-face, introduce your range and build your distribution network.
FIND OUT MORE

YOU WON'T FIND THIS QUALITY OF BUYER IN ONE PLACE ANYWHERE ELSE

THE AGENDA

1000 - 1005

Opening Remarks

1005 - 1020

Networking on Sponsors' Booths

1020 - 1035

Banking Transformed - with Jim Marous and Chris Skinner

In this special edition of Banking Transformed, two of the world's top banking and fintech influencers, Jim Marous and Chris Skinner, will talk about the challenges facing the banking industry and present fresh ideas on how banks can prepare for the post-pandemic future.

1035 - 1115

Fireside Chat | Reimagining Digital for 2021 and Beyond

  • What are the top trends that will continue to shape banking post-pandemic?
  • How are MENAT banks tackling digital transformation?
  • What new technologies are critical to delivering the digital experience consumers expect?
  • How can banks respond to pressure from Fintechs and digital-only challengers?
  • As a digital banking leader, what are your top priorities for the next 12-18 months?

Amit Malhotra, GM, Head of Personal Banking, Commercial Bank of Dubai
Noman Rasheed, Head of Information Technology, Dubai Islamic Bank
Meital Raviv, Head of Digital Strategy & Fintech Innovation, Poalim Bank
Paul Sommerin, Partner Financial Services MENA, EY
Emily Zhou, VP GLCM, HSBC Middle East Limited

1115 - 1130

Lightbulb Moments | Delivering Digital Banking Innovation

Ian Kerr, Regional Director EMEA, Episode Six

1130 - 1200

Fireside Chat | Beyond Digital: Moving Towards Embedded Experiences

  • How to future-proof your CX for a post-Covid world?
  • How to deliver personalised experiences that drive value for both bank and customer?
  • What should banks look for in a customer data platform?
  • Optimisation or Transformation: What should your bank prioritise right now?
  • Accelerating your time-to-market through innovative partnerships
  • What is the role of branches in this increasingly digital-first world?

Nadim Barrage, Head of Digital Transformation, BankMed
Mike Cunningham, Chief Strategy & Digital Officer, Banque Saudi Fransi
Rohit Garg, EVP and Head of NeoBiz, Mashreq
Maurice Lisi, Head of Digital Channels, Intesa Sanpaolo
Khaled Nabhan, Head of Customer Experience, Bank Audi Egypt

1200 - 1215

Lightbulb Moments

1215 - 1245

Fireside Chat | Driving Innovation in Times of Uncertainty

  • How should visionary leaders - especially those on the retail side of large, incumbent firms - be thinking about innovation at a time like this?
  • How have banks' innovation agenda changed since COVID-19?
  • How can banks foster a culture of innovation?
  • How can banks structure the innovation ecosystem and partnership approach with startups?

Frederik Bisbjerg, Executive Director - Digitisation, Daman
Javed Edhi, Group Head - Technology & Digital Innovation, SilkBank
Konstantin Tsanis, Digital Transformation Specialist, World Bank

1245 - 1300

Lightbulb Moments

1300 - 1330

Fireside Chat | Leveraging AI to Generate Value at Scale

  • Why is there an AI adoption gap in the banking industry? What are the key barriers to adoption?
  • What trends will most impact how you utilise data, analytics and AI in 2021 and beyond?
  • What are the keys to successfully implementing AI throughout the organisation?

Dr Jassim Haji, Chairperson, Bahrain Artificial Intelligence Society
Shafique Ibrahim, Chief Digital Officer, at Al Fardan Group
Siobhan O'Mahony, Ex-Head of Analytics, Investec Private Bank

1330 - 1345

Lightbulb Moments

1345 - 1415

Fireside Chat | The Future of Banking is Open

  • Understanding the impact of Open Banking: what will the future role of the bank be?
  • What is the state of play of open banking in the MENAT region?
  • What are the partnership features to look for in an over-crowded market?
  • Creating a mutually beneficial relationship: what should each party bring to the table?

Faraaz Ali, MD, Digital Ecosystems, Open Banking & Partnerships, DBS
Jameel Khan, Head of Digital & Innovation, Mashreq
Vineet Madan, Ex-Head of Retail Banking, Banque Misr
Piotr Pietrzak, Product Director, Opera
Ahmed Saleemi, Department Head, Digital Banking, MCB

1415 - 1430

Lightbulb Moments

1430 - 1500

Fireside Chat | Out with the Old: Innovating Payments for the New Normal

  • What are the latest innovations in the MENAT payments space?
  • What are the key architectures and technologies making it easier to maintain, update and extend payment systems?
  • How can banks optimise operations and generate revenue as they modernise?

Arsalan Ayub, Head of Technology, Payment International Enterprise
Amol Bahuguna, Ex-Head of Payments, Commercial Bank of Dubai
Ian Kerr, Regional Director EMEA, Episode Six
Ibrahim Muhammed, Head of Business Projects, Al Fardan Exchange
Samee Zafar, Director, Edgar Dunn & Company

1500 - 1505

Closing Remarks and End of Summit

THE ULTIMATE PLACE TO MIX BUSINESS WITH PLEASURE

Located at Amwaj Islands, just 15 minutes drive from the award-winning Bahrain International Airport, The Art Hotel & Resort is surrounded by the crystal clear blue waters of the Arabian Gulf.

THE AGENDA

1000 - 1005

Opening Remarks

1005 - 1020

Networking on Sponsors' Booths

1020 - 1035

Banking Transformed - with Jim Marous and Chris Skinner

In this special edition of Banking Transformed, two of the world's top banking and fintech influencers, Jim Marous and Chris Skinner, will talk about the challenges facing the banking industry and present fresh ideas on how banks can prepare for the post-pandemic future.

1035 - 1115

Fireside Chat | Reimagining Digital for 2021 and Beyond

  • What are the top trends that will continue to shape banking post-pandemic?
  • How are MENAT banks tackling digital transformation?
  • What new technologies are critical to delivering the digital experience consumers expect?
  • How can banks respond to pressure from Fintechs and digital-only challengers?
  • As a digital banking leader, what are your top priorities for the next 12-18 months?

Amit Malhotra, GM, Head of Personal Banking, Commercial Bank of Dubai
Noman Rasheed, Head of Information Technology, Dubai Islamic Bank
Meital Raviv, Head of Digital Strategy & Fintech Innovation, Poalim Bank
Paul Sommerin, Partner Financial Services MENA, EY
Emily Zhou, VP GLCM, HSBC Middle East Limited

1115 - 1130

Lightbulb Moments | Delivering Digital Banking Innovation

Ian Kerr, Regional Director EMEA, Episode Six

1130 - 1200

Fireside Chat | Beyond Digital: Moving Towards Embedded Experiences

  • How to future-proof your CX for a post-Covid world?
  • How to deliver personalised experiences that drive value for both bank and customer?
  • What should banks look for in a customer data platform?
  • Optimisation or Transformation: What should your bank prioritise right now?
  • Accelerating your time-to-market through innovative partnerships
  • What is the role of branches in this increasingly digital-first world?

Nadim Barrage, Head of Digital Transformation, BankMed
Mike Cunningham, Chief Strategy & Digital Officer, Banque Saudi Fransi
Rohit Garg, EVP and Head of NeoBiz, Mashreq
Maurice Lisi, Head of Digital Channels, Intesa Sanpaolo
Khaled Nabhan, Head of Customer Experience, Bank Audi Egypt

1200 - 1215

Lightbulb Moments

1215 - 1245

Fireside Chat | Driving Innovation in Times of Uncertainty

  • How should visionary leaders - especially those on the retail side of large, incumbent firms - be thinking about innovation at a time like this?
  • How have banks' innovation agenda changed since COVID-19?
  • How can banks foster a culture of innovation?
  • How can banks structure the innovation ecosystem and partnership approach with startups?

Frederik Bisbjerg, Executive Director - Digitisation, Daman
Javed Edhi, Group Head - Technology & Digital Innovation, SilkBank
Konstantin Tsanis, Digital Transformation Specialist, World Bank

1245 - 1300

Lightbulb Moments

1300 - 1330

Fireside Chat | Leveraging AI to Generate Value at Scale

  • Why is there an AI adoption gap in the banking industry? What are the key barriers to adoption?
  • What trends will most impact how you utilise data, analytics and AI in 2021 and beyond?
  • What are the keys to successfully implementing AI throughout the organisation?

Dr Jassim Haji, Chairperson, Bahrain Artificial Intelligence Society
Shafique Ibrahim, Chief Digital Officer, at Al Fardan Group
Siobhan O'Mahony, Ex-Head of Analytics, Investec Private Bank

1330 - 1345

Lightbulb Moments

1345 - 1415

Fireside Chat | The Future of Banking is Open

  • Understanding the impact of Open Banking: what will the future role of the bank be?
  • What is the state of play of open banking in the MENAT region?
  • What are the partnership features to look for in an over-crowded market?
  • Creating a mutually beneficial relationship: what should each party bring to the table?

Faraaz Ali, MD, Digital Ecosystems, Open Banking & Partnerships, DBS
Jameel Khan, Head of Digital & Innovation, Mashreq
Vineet Madan, Ex-Head of Retail Banking, Banque Misr
Piotr Pietrzak, Product Director, Opera
Ahmed Saleemi, Department Head, Digital Banking, MCB

1415 - 1430

Lightbulb Moments

1430 - 1500

Fireside Chat | Out with the Old: Innovating Payments for the New Normal

  • What are the latest innovations in the MENAT payments space?
  • What are the key architectures and technologies making it easier to maintain, update and extend payment systems?
  • How can banks optimise operations and generate revenue as they modernise?

Arsalan Ayub, Head of Technology, Payment International Enterprise
Amol Bahuguna, Ex-Head of Payments, Commercial Bank of Dubai
Ian Kerr, Regional Director EMEA, Episode Six
Ibrahim Muhammed, Head of Business Projects, Al Fardan Exchange
Samee Zafar, Director, Edgar Dunn & Company

1500 - 1505

Closing Remarks and End of Summit

WHY ATTEND

Discover new brands and expand your product portfolio
VapeNet is your opportunity to meet top manufacturers, discover latest products and add exciting new offerings to your existing product line. You will have two of the most productive days of the year.
FIND OUT MORE

MEET OUR PARTNERS

Check out our sister events

HERE TO HELP

Satish Umashanker
Manufacturer Enquiries
+97154 443 8853
Paras Ali
Distributor Enquiries
+973 17502721