Today's Edition
BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
Content creators are gearing up as Dubai prepares to host the fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, a global event that has rapidly become a landmark on the international creator economy calendar.
The summit runs from January 9 to 11, bringing together some of the top social media personalities, entrepreneurs, platforms, and industry leaders from around the world. This year’s event is expected to welcome 15,000 creators representing a wide range of markets, cultures, and creative disciplines, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for digital media and content innovation.
For many of those active in the digital space, the 1 Billion Followers Summit serves as both a learning platform and a hub for collaboration.
Mahmoud Abuqalbain, a strategy consulting manager and content creator, is attending the event for the first time.
“I am looking forward to meaningful conversations, practical insights, and connecting with creators, platforms, and brands shaping the future of content,” Abuqalbain told Aletihad.
He seeks to learn, exchange perspectives, and explore collaboration opportunities in what he described as a rapidly evolving creator economy.
“I believe the summit plays a vital role for both creators and audiences. It bridges the gap between creativity, business, and impact. For creators, it offers access to knowledge, tools, and decision-makers. For audiences, it helps raise the quality, responsibility, and global relevance of content,” Abuqalbain said.
He considers himself well positioned as a creator in the UAE, citing the country’s strong institutional support, global diversity, and forward-looking digital vision, which together enable digital media producers and creatives to scale their work and tell cross-cultural stories.
Mohammed Sabbagh, an entrepreneur, is returning for his second year at the summit, having participated previously as a speaker.
He expressed excitement about this year’s edition, anticipating a larger event featuring inspiring speakers such as Mohamed Alabbar, Founder of Emaar.
“The summit gives us content creators a great opportunity to connect with others, whether content creators, our audience, business entrepreneurs, and much more, considering the huge number of attendees,” Sabbagh told Aletihad.
The strong turnout at the summit underscores that creators from around the world view the UAE as a supportive and open space where they can access opportunities, collaborate, and reach their full potential, he said. “Events like this summit indicate how much the UAE believes in content creation and creators.”
