UAE Restaurant Group, IMAGES RetailME to host dual food industry forums highlighting HORECA, retail sectors

UAE – The UAE Restaurant Group (UAERG), the official representative body of the UAE’s food and beverage sector, and IMAGES RetailME, the region’s leading retail business intelligence platform, are set to co-host their highly anticipated forums on June 19th, 2025, at the JW Marriott Marina, Dubai.

These concurrent events will provide comprehensive insights into the evolving foodservice and retail landscapes, featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, and extensive networking opportunities.

The day will culminate with the UAERG Partners Felicitation Ceremony, recognizing outstanding contributions within the food sector.

The UAERG Food Service Forum will focus on the HoReCa ecosystem, reflecting the remarkable growth of fine dining, cafes, bars, international fast-food franchises, and homegrown culinary concepts across the MENA region.

The forum aims to equip participants with actionable knowledge to navigate the dynamic foodservice market through impactful roundtables, exhibitions, and networking sessions.

Attendees will engage with influential foodservice professionals, culinary innovators, and industry leaders, gaining insights into trends such as ultra-fast delivery models, experiential dining, AI integration in kitchens, and brand transformation strategies.

Key sessions include an inaugural discussion on balancing speed and quality in delivery led by Jaskaran Singh, Vice President of Product at Careem, and a panel exploring the viability of premium restaurant concepts in shopping centers featuring Chef Jitin Joshi and Fay Economides.

The forum also addresses the evolution of café brands into lifestyle icons and the integration of artificial intelligence within foodservice operations.

Meanwhile, the IMAGES RetailME Food Business Forum will spotlight the food and grocery retail market, addressing the profound shifts driven by consumer behavior, digital innovation, and product diversification.

The forum will bring together top executives from hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores, and specialty retailers to discuss strategies for adapting to a rapidly changing retail environment.

A highlight will be the CEO Power Panel, examining how legacy and emerging brands are reinventing themselves through agility and innovation.

Both forums underscore the significant growth in consumer spending on food across the GCC and wider MENA region, fueled by economic recovery, population growth, and expanding travel and leisure sectors.

The events serve as critical platforms for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and industry advancement.

Industry professionals and business owners are encouraged to register early to participate in this landmark event that promises to shape the future of foodservice and retail in the region.

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