Inside Retail is partnering with Monash Business School’s Australian Consumer, Retail and Services (ACRS) research unit to take a delegation of senior retail executives to the next World Retail Congress event, to be held in Dubai in April 2016.

The 10th edition of the World Retail Congress will take place at the five-star Madinat Jumeirah, in the retail hub of Dubai.

The three-day event, taking place from April 12-14 next year, will see more than 1000 global retail executives come together to discuss the changing demands of contemporary consumers and the future of retail.

The tour package includes accommodation, delegation passes, dining and bespoke experiences. The delegation will also embark on ​a retail study tour, which offers opportunity to explore and be inspired by Dubai’s most impressive retail destinations, while enjoying the chance to observe current innovative retail developments within the city.

Exclusively curated for the congress, the one-day tour offers insight into the latest innovations in store design, complete with commentary on the ideas, influencers and thought processes behind their conception.

The international event has provided original content on the future of the retail industry since its 2007 launch in Barcelona. Holding the event in Dubai represents the first time that the event will be held outside of Europe.

Dubai has quickly established itself as an international retail hub and the event will draw on regional specialisms including developing effective relationships with brand licensing partners, ‘retail-tainment’ and duty free retail.

The central theme of this congress is how to attract and engage tomorrow’s consumer. There will be a focus on how retailers can harness the affordances of technology to drive business forward and create winning customer experiences in the digital age.

While the World Retail Congress Dubai 2016 speaker line-up is yet to be announced, past WRC speakers include inventor of the world wide web, Sir Tim Berners Lee, The Coca-Cola Company vice president and commercial leadership officer, Julie Hamilton, Eataly founder and chairman, Oscar Farinetti, and Levi’s president, James Curleigh.

Australian Retail executives who are interested in joining the Inside Retail-ACRS World Retail Congress Dubai 2016 delegation can obtain more information by emailing cath@octomedia.com.au.