International Opening Keynote

Moving Up the Value Chain: L&D and HR’s Future Role in Driving Sustainable Impact

To create long-term value, organizations must rely on their most valuable asset—their people—to succeed. HR and learning departments are no longer support functions but integral strategic partners in shaping the future of work. This keynote presentation shares global best practices that equip HR leaders with the tools to drive organizational transformation and innovation through effective talent management strategies, employee engagement, and culture development. Attendees will learn how to:

·        Transform L&D into a strategic business partner in an organization through practical steps.

·        Demonstrate the levels of HR contributions to the business for superior performance.

·        Examine HR’s biggest opportunities to increase credibility and value to the organization.

Plenary Panel Debate

The Evolution of the CHRO and CLO: Navigating Changing Times

Organizations must be agile and adaptable to stay competitive in a rapidly changing business landscape. As organizations navigate a rapidly changing business landscape, chief HR officers (CHROs) and chief learning officers (CLOs) are responsible for ensuring their workforce is equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the future of work. Featuring local and regional HR and learning leaders, this interactive panel will discuss how to:

·        Build flexible teams and develop skills to adapt quickly to new challenges and opportunities.

·        Adapt to the impact of emerging technologies.

·        Lead structural change to reduce turnover and retain top talent.

Speed Networking—A Structured Networking Session

This unique facilitated session will allow you to shake hands with your peers from companies representing different sectors in the region. Bring a lot of business cards.

Local Case Study

Driving Business Success Through Strategic HR and Talent Development: A Kuwaiti Case Study

Kuwait is experiencing a rapid transformation in its business environment, making it crucial for organizations to invest in strategic HR and talent development initiatives. What do CEOs currently need from HR and TD leaders in Kuwait? During this practice session, we will explore the importance of developing a comprehensive talent management strategy—from recruitment and retention to leadership development and succession planning. Attendees will learn how to:

·        Find and attract qualified talent in a scarce market.

·        Develop practical strategies for driving business success.

·        Measure the effectiveness of HR and talent development initiatives.

Regional Case Study

Developing Future Leaders Post-pandemic: Key Characteristics and Training Framework

The post-pandemic business environment requires a new breed of leaders with unique skills and characteristics to navigate the challenges ahead. Leadership development programs must go through fundamental restructuring to assess and establish the skill sets required for leaders to drive success. This session will explore the importance of developing leaders possessing emotional intelligence, adaptability, and the ability to think strategically. Attendees will understand:

·        How leaders adapt to times of change and uncertainty and the main outcomes of effective leadership beyond business results

·        Top-down versus bottom-up leadership—the benefits and challenges of each

·        How to empower leaders to foster a culture of innovation and learning

TED-Style Talk

Breaking Barriers: Are Women Treated Fairly in the Kuwaiti Workplace?

Despite progress towards gender equity in many parts of the world, women continue to face significant challenges and barriers to their success in the workplace. To what degree is this true in the Kuwaiti workplace? This TED-style talk will examine the current state of gender equity, focusing on:

·        The challenges faced by women in entering and advancing in the workplace

·        A woman’s perspective on how to create a more inclusive and equitable working environment

·        The skills needed to become an effective leader in male-dominated industries

Regional Case Study

Walking the Talk: Translating Learning Strategy Into Actual Business Value

Many organizations invest in L&D programs but struggle to measure the impact of these programs on the bottom line. Featuring a regional HR and learning leader, this case study session will explore how to curate a high-impact learning strategy that supports the core business and fosters a learning culture to deliver future capabilities. Attend this session to learn best practices to:

·        Align learning objectives with business goals.

·        Engage stakeholders and ensure buy-in for learning initiatives.

·        Measure the effectiveness of learning programs and link L&D programs to business outcomes.

Panel Discussion

Human Skills in the Digital Era: Harnessing Technology to Drive Organizational Excellence

Technology, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and quantum computers will soon replace human labour. As a result, businesses must reorganize the learning process to develop their employees’ social and creative skills. This interactive panel will feature HR and business leaders sharing their insights and experiences on leveraging technology to augment human skills and enhance organizational performance. What disruptive trends in learning and TD will revolutionize how we learn? What will L&D look like in 2050? Attendees will learn how to:

·        Develop and nurture human skills—communication, empathy, and critical thinking—in the age of automation.

·        Measure the outcomes of digital automation and machine learning.

·        Embrace a culture of innovation and continuous learning to support the development of technology and human skills.

Closing Keynote

Enabling Flexible and Agile Working: Revolutionizing the Employee Experience

As organizations go through transformative journeys, employees must adopt flexible and agile work styles. This session will delve into embracing change, which is increasingly important in the modern workplace. Attendees will gain insight into the advantages of adaptable and agile work policies, such as increased employee satisfaction, productivity, and cost-effectiveness, and how technology can support an agile workforce and enhance the employee experience. Attend this session to learn best practices to:

·        Foster a sense of community among remote and on-site workers.

·        Implement flexible and agile work policies that align with business goals and employee needs.

·        Build a people-centred, forward-thinking culture.