Emad Qawasmi joined the Forum’s Expert Council in Dubai. He serves as Managing Director – Middle East & North Africa Region at TVU Networks. Qawasmi joined senior media and technology decision-makers. They discussed sport, broadcasting, AI, production infrastructure, and monetization behind closed doors.
NEP Middle East & Asia to Host Inaugural Gulf & MENA Decision-Makers Forum in Dubai
TFT1957 organized the inaugural meeting. The closed-door format gave senior decision-makers space for direct discussion without a public audience or exhibition floor. Traditional conference programming was also absent. This structure kept the focus on practical industry experience, technical strategy, and business decisions across the region.
The discussion centered on Gulf and MENA media. Participants examined operational challenges, market opportunities, and the next generation of broadcast and media projects. The Dubai meeting also opened a wider initiative. TFT1957 plans to grow the Forum into an ongoing regional platform for broadcasters, sports organizations, production leaders, and partners.
Inside the Inaugural Forum
Forum Partners
NEP Middle East & Asia supported the initiative. The company served as Strategic Partner & Host and welcomed the inaugural meeting at its Dubai facility.
TFT1957 also thanks Waleed Isaac. The NEP Middle East & Asia President supported the first Forum with hospitality and a clear commitment to the project.
Forum partners also included wTVision, Bridge Technologies, and TVU Networks. Each company supported the concept from its first edition and contributed technology-sector expertise to the discussion.
The Forum extends beyond one event. It provides a framework for regional discussions among broadcasters, sports organizations, production leaders, and technology companies throughout the year.
Bridge Technologies Joins Gulf & MENA Decision-Makers Forum as Partner
Special Thanks to Ammar Hina
TFT1957 also recognizes Ammar Hina’s role. He helped develop the inaugural Forum, shape its concept, and bring senior participants into the same room.
Hina also served as Strategic Chair and moderator. His industry knowledge helped establish the Forum’s closed-door format and encouraged direct discussion between senior professionals.
His regional network was equally important. It helped connect senior members of the Gulf broadcast community and support the Forum’s launch in Dubai.
TVU Networks Joins Gulf & MENA Decision-Makers Forum as Partner
Founding Members
The Founding Members group includes 20 senior professionals. They work across broadcasting, sports production, digital strategy, media operations, engineering, and business development in the Gulf and MENA markets.
- Feizel Batcha, VP – Sports Partnerships at Genius Sports — Singapore
- Omar Alzoubi, Head of Engineering at Dubai Media Inc. — UAE
- Mustafa Tell, GM Broadcast Operations at ART — Jordan
- Galal W. El-Hakeem, Co-Founder of Transform Media Worldwide — Canada / United Kingdom
- Ali I. Nahle, Founder and Managing Partner at RawLink — Qatar
- Tariq Alhammadi, Manager – Heritage Sports Content Creation — UAE
- Diogo Açafrão, Sports TV Director / EVS Operator at Abu Dhabi Media (ADM) — UAE
- Rama AlDairi, VP of Group Digital at beIN MEDIA GROUP — Qatar
- Ibrahim Al-Jabry, Engineering Manager at Asharq — Saudi Arabia
- Elie Roukoz, Vice President, Broadcast Operations at AFG – Asia Football Group — UAE
- Omar Pleite Guerra, General Manager at Mediapro Middle East — UAE
- Ammar Hina, Business Development Director at NEP Middle East & Asia – Strategic Chair — UAE
- Yusuf Mohammed Buti, CEO, Founder & Managing Director of Harbor House for Management, Media, and Digital Services Consulting – Roundtable Moderator — Bahrain
- Mousa Awni Fakher, Business Development Manager – Video Business Unit at Eutelsat — Jordan
- Emad Awwad, Broadcast QC & Edit Manager at Saudi Pro League — Saudi Arabia
- Abdulelah Alhemaiyd, Senior Project Manager in MBC Group’s Chairman’s Office — Saudi Arabia
- Ben Kimber, Sports Strategy Consultant with the MBC Group delegation — Saudi Arabia
- Ahmad Hanafy, Strategy Analyst in MBC Group’s Chairman’s Office — Saudi Arabia
- Ahmed Sabir, Engineering Sr. Manager at Saudi Pro League — Saudi Arabia
- John Curtis, General Manager at Whisper Middle East — Saudi Arabia
wTVision Joins Gulf & MENA Decision-Makers Forum 2026 as Sponsor
Expert Council
The Expert Council represents the Forum’s technology partners. Its members add regional commercial, operational, and broadcast-technology expertise to the closed-door discussion.
- Emad Qawasmi — Managing Director – Middle East & North Africa Region, TVU Networks Corporation
- Rafael Castillo — VP & General Manager, EMEA & Latin America, TVU Networks Corporation
- André Chagas — Middle East Regional Coordinator, wTVision
- Michele Dwayk — Head of Sales & Business Development for the MENA Region, wTVision
- Paolo Limo — Head of Sales, Balkans and LATAM, Bridge Technologies Co AS
From One Forum to a Regional Platform
Dubai marked the Forum’s first step. The broader plan is to build a permanent community around major technical and business decisions across the Gulf and MENA media.
TFT1957 will keep supporting Forum members. Coverage will include interviews, industry analysis, and dedicated information campaigns alongside further Gulf and MENA meetings. The next stage is the 2027 Forum Roadshow. The UAE and Saudi Arabia will form its core, while additional Gulf and MENA locations rotate as the initiative develops.
The principle remains unchanged. Closed doors, focused discussion, and direct access to the people making major industry decisions will remain central.
The first Forum has concluded. The wider Gulf & MENA Decision-Makers Forum initiative is now moving into its next stage.
Ammar Hina Appointed Strategic Chair of The Gulf & MENA Decision-Makers Forum 2026
