EPEX 2025: Unlocking Educational Value for Event Professionals
The world of MICE, Events, and Weddings is constantly evolving, demanding continuous learning and strategic insight from its professionals. At Arabia Weddings, we are thrilled to spotlight the upcoming Experiential Planner Expo (EPEX 2025), a pivotal event designed not just for networking, but as a deep dive into the industry's future, offering immense educational value. It is set to take place on September 4th - 5th, 2025, at the Grand Hyatt Dubai, Dubai, UAE.
EPEX 2025 is more than an exhibition; it's a meticulously crafted educational platform for industry leaders, innovators, and planners seeking to sharpen their skills and broaden their horizons.
Leadership Forum: Deep Dives Into the World’s Most Lucrative Wedding Markets
Running across both days, the Leadership Forum will offer targeted sessions led by industry experts and global planners, designed to equip attendees with insights into key outbound markets and evolving guest expectations.
As part of the Leadership Forum, a key session moderated by Alison Hargreaves, Director of Guides for Brides, will offer a deep dive into the UK outbound weddings and celebrations market. This insightful discussion will explore what British planners and clients are truly looking for and how Middle East-based suppliers can better tailor their offerings to meet these expectations. Panelists include Raj Somaiya, Global Planner & CEO of Silverfox Events; Rugie Wurie, Founder of Mrs Wedding Planner; and Emma Pope, Corporate Director of Events and Operations at Emaar Hospitality.
Another anticipated session, Unlocking the Russian-Speaking Market: Destination Weddings That Sell, will provide a strategic look at the growing demand for high-end celebrations from Russian-speaking clients. With presence from the co-founders of Most Wanted Company, the session will examine the key drivers behind venue selection, cultural preferences, and how UAE properties can align with the expectations of this lucrative audience.
The Leadership Forum will also feature a session powered by TGP, focusing on The Evolving Role of F&B in Shaping Event Experiences. The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion with top culinary and event professionals, exploring how elevated dining concepts are now central to creating unforgettable guest experiences.
Introducing the ‘Inspiration Hub’ Powered by VenueWise: Real Stories, Real Results
New for 2025, EPEX launches the Inspiration Hub, powered by VenueWise—a dynamic new platform where the global wedding and social event community will gather to learn directly from standout real-world case studies.
These 30-minute live sessions will spotlight events that exemplify innovation, flawless execution, and measurable success. From hyper-customized guest journeys to sustainable luxury celebrations, the Inspiration Hub offers planners a front-row seat to the behind-the-scenes brilliance of the industry’s most exceptional events.
Participating agencies and creators include Top Golf, The Pods, Sunset Group, DubDay Events, Rikas Group, Capital Motion, Dubai Expo, and The Big Night—each presenting a distinct narrative of creativity, strategy, and impact.
The program will also feature a moderated Q&A with Paul Finch (VenueWise), offering an in-depth exploration into the strategy, challenges, results, and lessons learned behind these remarkable events—turning inspiration into truly actionable insights.
- Celebrating Excellence in Experiential Weddings
- Each session at the Inspiration Hub will highlight excellence in one or more of the following categories:
- Sustainability in Planning and Production
- Hyper-Customisation and Guest-Centric Experiences
- Integrated Themes that Go Beyond Décor
- Design-Led Innovation Elevating the Guest Journey
- Social Media Moments that Generated Significant Buzz
Beyond trends, these themes are pillars shaping the future of experiential weddings and luxury social gatherings.
Read:
- EPEX 2025 Marks 10 Years as the Definitive Platform for MICE & Destination Events
- Gastronomy Meets Experience: EPEX 2025 Unveils the Gourmet & Experiential Venues Pavilion
