The ABG CMO Forum 2026 will take place on April 29, 2026 at Choueiri Group Headquarters in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Organized by the Advertising Business Group (ABG), the Forum convenes Chief Marketing Officers and senior brand leaders from across the Middle East for a closed-door leadership session.
Set against a rapidly shifting operating environment, the Forum focuses on how marketing leaders are navigating increasing pressure, evolving expectations, and real-time decision-making.
Designed as a peer-level exchange, the ABG CMO Forum provides a trusted setting for senior leaders to share perspectives, challenge assumptions, and align on the priorities shaping marketing leadership today.
ABG LEADERSHIP FORUM
- The CMO Forum is part of ABG’s broader commitment to supporting marketing leadership across the Middle East.
- Through invitation-only forums and executive gatherings, ABG creates opportunities for brand leaders to exchange insights, explore emerging challenges, and strengthen leadership capability in a rapidly evolving landscape.
- By bringing together CMOs responsible for leading brands across the region, the Forum contributes to stronger alignment, collaboration, and industry progress.
KEY TOPICS
The Forum is designed to enable candid, peer-level dialogue on how organisations are adapting their strategies in response to these shifts.
Discussions at the ABG CMO Forum 2026 will focus on the priorities shaping marketing leadership today, including:
- The evolving role of the Chief Marketing Officer as a driver of business growth
- Marketing in a real-time operating environment
- Artificial intelligence and its impact on marketing decision-making
- Building and protecting brand trust under increased scrutiny
- Strengthening marketing effectiveness and accountability
- Balancing short-term performance with long-term brand value
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
The ABG CMO Forum is designed exclusively for CMOs and senior marketing leaders responsible for marketing strategy, brand growth, and customer engagement.
Participants typically include:
- Chief Marketing Officers
- Regional Heads of Marketing
- Senior brand and marketing leaders responsible for major brands operating across the Middle East
The invitation-only format ensures an environment where senior leaders can exchange perspectives openly and engage in meaningful, peer-level dialogue.
REGIONAL CONTEXT
Marketing leaders across the Middle East are navigating a period of structural change.
Increased pressure on growth, evolving consumer expectations, and greater accountability are reshaping how marketing operates across organisations.
Planning cycles are becoming more fluid, decision-making is accelerating, and marketing is increasingly tied to commercial performance, customer retention, and business outcomes.
In this context, leadership forums such as the ABG CMO Forum provide a critical platform for senior leaders to exchange perspectives, align on priorities, and navigate change collectively.