Agency chiefs head for 40th IAA World Congress in Dubai

Some of the world's most respected advertising, marketing and media buying chiefs will be in Dubai this March for the 40th International Advertising Association (IAA) World Congress.

Taking place at the Dubai International Convention Centre (DICC) from March 20-23, the Congress will see 11 senior executives taking part in speaker sessions and panels discussion, all under the theme of 'Challenges of Change'.

Included in the line-up is Sir Martin Sorrell, Chief Executive of WPP; Tateo Mataki, Chief Executive Officer, DENTSU, Japan; Tom Bernardin, Chairman & CEO of Leo Burnett Worldwide; Ken Kaess President & CEO of DDB Worldwide Communications Group; Allen Rosenshine, Chairman of BBDO Worldwide Inc; Howard Draft, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DRAFT; Colin Gottlieb, CEO of OMD Europe; Jack Klues, Chairman for Publicis Groupe Media; Susannah Outfin, CEO of Carat International; Marcio Moreira, Viceo Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of McCann-Erickson World Group.

Also featuring in the impressive line-up is Donald Gunn, the man behind the annual Gunn Report & Showreel of the Year; which is regarded as the official worldwide measure of competitive excellence for the advertising industry.

Joseph Ghossoub, IAA World President Elect, said: 'We couldn't have asked for a better representation of the global advertising industry, and for this dynamic list of people to agree to participate is unprecedented. For our more than 2,000 expected delegates, it will be a great opportunity to hear from industry leaders during a time when the industry is going through tremendous change and demands for newness.'

The Congress is being organised by the UAE Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA), under the Congress Chairmanship of Mohammed Al Gergawi.

Running concurrently with the congress, the IAA-UAE chapter has organised an exhibition aimed at publishers, broadcasters, radio stations, designers, below the line and point-of-sale suppliers, direct marketeers, printers, research and brand consultancies, as well as stock photography agencies, providing an ideal networking platform for the industry, and an opportunity to view creative work carried out in the region.

There will also be a public display of advertising campaigns from around the world, under the banner of Great Ads for a Better Future. The exhibition has been put together by Advertising Community Together (ACT), an initiative created by the employees of AdForum.com, and will showcase a comprehensive and unique compilation of sustainable development and corporate social responsibility campaigns. The exhibition has been produced in partnership with the United Nations Environmental Programme, (UNEP). This collection will be open, free to the public for viewing in the main concourse of the Dubai International Convention Centre.

The Congress is supported by Gulf News, Motivate Publishing, CNN, Dubai TV, Dubai Media City, Dentsu, Emaar, MBC TV, The Choueiri Group, BBC, Dubai Duty Free, Khaleej Times, AME Info and FedEx.