January 2027 in KSA & the Gulf
BusinessFor marketers
Jan 8–10 · Dubai · Jumeirah Emirates Towers, DIFC and Museum of the Future
1 Billion Followers Summit 2027.
The fifth 1 Billion Followers Summit, organised by the UAE Government Media Office, runs from 8 to 10 January 2027 across Jumeirah Emirates Towers, DIFC and the Museum of the Future in Dubai, under the theme "Content for Good". Organisers expect more than 400 speakers with a combined following of over 4 billion.
What to expect
- Fifth edition, under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
- A US$1 million AI Film Award; film entries close on 20 November 2026
- The first Instagram Creators Day, a day-long event led by Instagram
- #1MillionStories with TikTok, with a US$100,000 prize
- Creators Market returns with 100 creator-led small businesses
Why it matters for marketers
It bills itself as the world's largest creator-economy event. TikTok, X, YouTube, Instagram, Meta and Snapchat are strategic partners, and the Creators Brand Village, run with Alfan, is where creators meet brands and earn money.
Also in January 2027.
The Sunday Brief