More than 90 young volunteers are stepping into real operational roles at the Arab Media Summit 2026, gaining hands-on experience in organizing one of the region's largest media gatherings before it even opens its doors.
The Summit, organized by the Dubai Press Club, begins on 15 September at the Dubai World Trade Centre and runs for three days. It is expected to draw around 10,000 media professionals and industry stakeholders, with more than 400 speakers from 23 countries taking part across over 175 sessions.
Volunteers embedded across the Summit
Rather than sitting on the sidelines, the volunteers will support both preparations and on-site operations throughout the event. Their work spans coordination, communication, teamwork and rapid response activities — the kind of behind-the-scenes tasks that keep a large-scale summit running smoothly for thousands of attendees and hundreds of speakers.
Jassem Al Salty, Member of the Arab Media Summit Organising Committee, said the initiative fits into a broader approach to developing young talent in Dubai. "Engaging young people in the organisation of the Summit reflects the Dubai Press Club's commitment to Dubai's approach to empowering future generations. This experience allows them to learn by participating in every aspect of the event, helping them build practical skills, professional knowledge and the confidence to advance their careers," he said.
Direct access to industry leaders
Beyond logistics, the volunteer program is designed to give young people close contact with the people shaping the media industry. Mohamed Khadim, also a Member of the Arab Media Summit Organising Committee, said the Summit "places young volunteers at the heart of a rapidly evolving media landscape. It gives them direct access to prominent media professionals, experts and industry leaders from the region and beyond, allowing them to learn from inspiring experiences, ask questions, build professional connections and better understand the transformations shaping the sector."
With 400-plus speakers and 175-plus sessions on the agenda, the volunteers will be working alongside a dense schedule of panels, talks and discussions, offering repeated opportunities to interact with figures from across the Arab media world and beyond.
Why it matters for Dubai's media sector
For Dubai, the volunteer program is as much a talent pipeline as an operational necessity. As the Arab Media Summit 2026 positions itself as a major convening point for the region's media industry, the young Emiratis and residents helping run it are getting a front-row seat to how a summit of this scale comes together — experience organisers say will translate into practical skills and professional connections long after the three days at the Dubai World Trade Centre are over.