The Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) has announced that the **Qatar Leadership Majlis** will take place on September 10, 2026, at the W Doha hotel in Qatar.
The event will bring together senior leaders from government, business, media, and communications to examine how trust, resilience, and influence are being reshaped across the Middle East.
This year’s forum is held under the theme “The New Architecture of Influence.” It aims to address how regional conflicts, geopolitical realignments, economic uncertainty, and rapid advances in artificial intelligence are transforming information creation and distribution.
The New Architecture of Influence
The event will feature a series of panel discussions and interactive sessions designed to analyze current communication strategies. Organizers stated that the sessions will focus on practical applications and lived experiences, building on feedback from previous editions.
Specifically, attendees will explore how communications teams use artificial intelligence tools to plan, execute, and report on major events. Discussions will also cover how event-led strategies differ across business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumer (B2C), and business-to-government (B2G) sectors.
Focus Areas of the Qatar Leadership Majlis
Justin Kerr-Stevens, MEPRA Chair, stated that the role of communications has shifted from message control to helping organizations make better decisions. He added:
“The role of communications has changed. It’s no longer just about controlling the message. Increasingly, our role is to help organisations make better decisions, build trust before they need it and navigate periods of uncertainty with confidence.”
Justin Kerr-Stevens, MEPRA Chair
The forum serves as an open platform for peer learning and practical insight. It targets senior professionals responsible for reputation, stakeholder engagement, corporate affairs, and organizational strategy.
Practical Applications and AI Integration
Founded in 2001, MEPRA represents agency, in-house, and public-sector professionals across the GCC. The 2026 edition of the **Qatar Leadership Majlis** marks the association’s 25th anniversary of operations in the region.
The regional public relations and communications industry is currently valued between USD 1.5 billion and USD 2.0 billion annually. This market is characterized by strong growth across the GCC, driven by demand for strategic communications, crisis management, and economy-focused public affairs.
Regional Industry Growth and Leadership
The leadership of MEPRA includes Justin Kerr-Stevens as Chair, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Northbourne Advisory. Neda Shelton, Senior Vice President of Group Communications at Mubadala Investment Company, serves as Vice Chair.
Monther Tayeb, a senior communications executive with experience in the Saudi Ministry of Defense, serves as the other Vice Chair. He is the first Vice Chair appointed from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, highlighting the growing role of Saudi professionals in regional education and professional standards.
The upcoming **Qatar Leadership Majlis** will provide participants with opportunities to evaluate the capabilities needed for modern communications teams. Registration for the event is currently open to industry professionals.
