The 38th edition of the International Live Music Conference (ILMC) was held from 24 to 27 February 2026 in London, bringing together professionals from across the global touring, festival and live entertainment sectors. As part of the programme, ILMC Touring Entertainment LIVE (TEL) took place on 25 February, focusing on the business of touring exhibitions, family shows, immersive experiences and large-format live productions.
The conference featured panel discussions, keynote conversations and networking sessions addressing international touring models, venue development, ticketing strategy, market expansion and cross-border collaboration. Delegates included venue operators, promoters, booking agencies, government bodies, production companies, ticketing platforms and technology providers from key international markets.
The UAE was represented by senior professionals from across the region’s live entertainment ecosystem, including Agata Holc (Ethara), Andrew Stass (Ethara), Antoine Gholmieh (Ethara) and David Powell (Ethara); Áine OConnor (T11 Entertainment), Chrissy Uerlings (T11 Entertainment), Koushan Panjali (T11 Entertainment), Michelle Quinn (T11 Entertainment), Mouna Ajam (T11 Entertainment) and Sia Farr (T11 Entertainment); Ali Alhashmi (Yas Island, Abu Dhabi) and Leon Marsh (Yas Island, Abu Dhabi); Ali Haidary (SES Live!) and Alison Goldsmith (SES Live!); David Davies (Live Nation Middle East), James Craven (Live Nation Middle East), Kerem Turgut (Live Nation Middle East), Kiarn Eslami (Live Nation Middle East), Peter Green (Live Nation Middle East) and Rahul Menon (Live Nation Middle East).
Additional UAE representatives included Bruce Mac Lean (PRG Event Services); Christian Peirce (Mac Global Dubai), Daniel Goldberg (Mac Global Dubai) and Robert Mcintosh (Mac Global Dubai); Cosmin Ivan (Platinumlist); Deepak Pawar (Midas Events); Diana Grodberg (Live People Agency); Flora Fekete (Brics Entertainment Events Managing), Roland Horvath (Brics Entertainment Events Managing) and Valentin Lepsis (Brics Entertainment Events Managing); Iain Jameson Campbell (Oak View Group) and Steven Umfreville (Oak View Group); Jose Cuervo (Proactiv); Lawrence Harradine (Coca-Cola Arena) and Mark Jan Kar (Coca-Cola Arena / Legends Global); Liz Koops (Broadway Entertainment Group); Marcus Osborne (Yas Bay Arena); Marwan Fouly (OVG Middle East); Michael Jacobsen (Abu Dhabi Government); Miguel Graciani (Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism); Monica Steyn (Blu Blood) and Shaaista Khan Osman (Blu Blood); Nadia Murtaza (Bluebird Music Management); Nawaf Ali Aljahdami (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Roberta Burksaite (DCT Abu Dhabi); Nikole Kovacs (GLXY); Rachid Elameri (Fever) and Rodrigo Munoz (Fever); Raj Malhotra (Sole DXB); Ramzi Nakad (Brag); Scott Anderson (International Event Security – IES); and Thomas Ovesen (All Things Live Middle East).
The scale of UAE participation reflects the country’s established role as a regional hub for arena touring, festivals, government-backed cultural initiatives and venue-led entertainment development. Attendance at ILMC and TEL provides opportunities to align with global touring strategies, strengthen international partnerships and support collaboration between the Middle East and other major live entertainment markets.
In addition to strong delegate participation, UAE-based executives also featured in the conference programme as speakers. These included Shaaista Khan Osman, Founder of Blu Blood; David Powell, Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer at Ethara; Omar Al-joulani, President of Touring at Live Nation; John Reid, Chairman, EMEA at Live Nation; and Cosmin Ivan, CEO of Platinumlist.
Their participation in panel discussions and strategic conversations placed UAE-linked leadership within key global dialogues around touring strategy, venue development, ticketing infrastructure, and international market expansion. Their presence on stage reflects the UAE’s active involvement in shaping conversations that influence the broader live entertainment and touring ecosystem.
