2026 Working Agenda
Day 1 – June 9th, 2026, Tuesday
Main Conference | Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl, UAE
08:00 - 08:55
Registration and Networking Coffee
09:00 - 09:10
Welcome Address by Supporting Partner Conference Pass
Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
09:15 - 09:20
Welcome Address by Organisers Conference Pass
Sidh N.C
Director,
QnA International
09:25 - 09:50
Opening Keynote by the Association of Talent Development (ATD) Conference Pass
Adoption to Workforce Advantage: the Skills-First Organization
In this opening keynote, the Association for Talent Development (ATD) presents a forward-looking blueprint for becoming a skills-first organization; one that integrates AI, accelerates reskilling, and empowers people at every level to perform, adapt, and lead in an era of constant change. Drawing on global research, enterprise case studies, and Middle East workforce priorities, this session sets the strategic foundation for the conference.
What you’ll learn:
- The shift to skills-first talent models and why skills, not roles, are becoming the new currency of workforce strategy.
- How best practices can be embedded into learning, talent development, and performance ecosystems responsibly and at scale.
- Future workforce readiness and practical approaches to building resilient, adaptable talent pipelines.
Speaker
Dr. Wei Wang
Senior Global Director,
Association for Talent Development, USA
09:55 - 10:35
International Keynote Conference Pass
AI Integration in Human Capital: From Strategy to Real-World Impact
“How do we integrate AI at scale while preserving trust, equity, and the human core of work?”
In this opening keynote, Josh Cavalier draws on global success stories and enterprise-level implementations to explore how AI is transforming human capital, from talent development and workforce planning to decision-making and employee experience. Through practical examples and strategic insight, this session will equip leaders to move beyond experimentation toward responsible, sustainable AI integration.
What You’ll Learn:
- Real-World AI implementation with Proven case studies demonstrating how organizations are successfully embedding AI into human capital practices.
- Leadership & governance Insights: How leaders can scale human-centred AI while ensuring trust, fairness, and ethical adoption.
- The road ahead with reskilling strategies, workforce readiness, and the capabilities required to drive AI-led transformation across diverse organizational and cultural contexts.
Speaker
Josh Cavalier
Educator, Founder
JoshCavalier.ai
United States
10:40 - 11:05
Building Capability and Succession Planning Through
National Programs across the GCC Conference Pass
Developing strong leadership talent is critical for organizations and nations alike. This session explores how national programs are being used to build leadership capability, cultivate future leaders, and strengthen workforce potential at scale. Drawing on real-world examples, we’ll examine how structured initiatives, mentorship, and skill development programs can accelerate leadership readiness across sectors.
What You’ll Learn:
- Understand the key components of national leadership programs that drive success planning and capability development.
- Explore strategies for nurturing high-potential leaders through structured initiatives and mentorship.
- Learn from real-life case studies highlighting successful national programs and their impact on workforce leadership.
11:10 - 11:40
Networking Coffee Break and Visit to the Boutique Exhibition
11:20 - 11:40
Visitor Pass
AI-Enabled Trainer: Revolutionizing Skill Evaluation
AI-powered tools are transforming the landscape of skill evaluation, enabling more accurate, efficient, and personalized assessment of learner competencies in corporate training environments.
- Implementing AI agents for adaptive assessments for real-time skill gap analysis
- Leveraging machine learning algorithms to provide personalized feedback and improvement suggestions
- Integrating AI-enabled evaluation tools with existing learning management systems for seamless workflow
Speaker
Sarah Daly
Director Ed-Tech,
LEORON Institute, UAE
11:45 - 12:00
Executive Insights Presentation Conference Pass
Building a Future-Ready Workforce: Practical Strategies for Upskilling and Reskilling
This session explores strategies to build a future-ready workforce, helping organizations stay competitive while empowering employees to grow. As the future of work is evolving rapidly, driven by technology, AI, and changing business demands. Organizations need to proactively prepare their workforce by upskilling employees in emerging skills and reskilling them for new roles.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to identify Future Skills: Recognizing the news skills and capabilities employees will need to thrive in evolving roles
- Design effective learning programs: Integrate upskilling and reskilling initiatives into everyday work using digital tools and blended learning
- To drive workforce transformation: Foster adaptability, engagement, and long-term growth while aligning talent strategy with business goals
12:00 - 12:20
Visitor Pass
The Nuance of C-suite Succession Planning
Succession at the C-suite level is never a simple replacement; it is a complex process that touches power, purpose, and legacy. Beyond choosing a capable successor, organizations must navigate invisible dynamics such as board alignment, cultural readiness, and the emotional weight of leadership transition. In this session, David Ribott unpacks the subtle forces that often go unaddressed in executive succession, drawing from real-world advisory experience and his proprietary leadership frameworks. Attendees will leave with a sharper lens on how to design CEO and
C-suite transitions that are not only smooth but strategically transformative.
Speaker
David Ribott, Ed.D (ABD), MCC,
Abu Dhabi's Top CEO Coach, Founder,
Ribott Partners, UAE
12:05 - 12:35
Agile Leadership Panel Conference Pass
Acceleration for Emerging Markets
A future-focused leadership development journey designed to build adaptive, resilient leaders capable of navigating complexity, driving innovation, and embedding a culture of continuous learning across organisations.
This learning experience draws on real-world case studies from senior thought leaders who have successfully sustained high performance amid constant change. Participants will explore how effective leadership in emerging markets requires contextual agility, the ability to apply different leadership capabilities across diverse teams, business environments, and organisational challenges.
What You’ll Learn:
- Designing and executing a strategic reskilling and upskilling roadmap aligned to business transformation goals
- Identifing innovation opportunities and translate them into sustainable, future-ready practices
- Fostering a psychologically safe culture of continuous learning that drives performance without fear, fatigue, or resistance to change
12:40 - 13:00
Co-Interview Conference Pass
Two Sides of the Same Coin: From Service Provider to End User: Coaching and Mentoring Perspectives
This session will equip leaders with practical coaching and mentoring skills, helping them develop high-performing teams and foster a culture of continuous learning. Participants will actively practice techniques, discuss real-world scenarios, and leave with actionable strategies they can apply immediately.
What You’ll Learn:
- Coaching for continuous learning and ownership, where employees take responsibility for growth and problem-solving.
- Moving beyond task management to capability building.
- Learning practical coaching techniques, including how to ask powerful questions, listen with intent, and guide rather than direct.
13:10 - 13:30
Visitor Pass
From Idea to Impact: How DCTLEARN Became a Strategic Learning Platform
This session explores the evolution of DCTLEARN, the Department of Culture and Tourism’s open-access learning platform, from a homegrown idea into a scalable and strategic tool for capability development. Learn how this platform empowers the creative and cultural industries by blending content, technology, and organizational vision. Designed to serve a wide range of professionals-from curators, archaeologists, and falconers to specialists in procurement, HR, and finance, and students alike-DCTLEARN delivers customizable, skills-based, and AI-powered learning.
What you will learn:
- How DCTLEARN was envisioned, developed, and scaled to serve diverse cultural and professional roles.
- How DCTLEARN supports varied learning needs across disciplines and career stages.
- Real-world examples showcasing AI applications in coaching, hiring, performance, and learning design.
Speaker
Raiza Paras
Instructional Designer DCTLEARN – Talent Development,
Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, UAE
13:05 - 13:35
Networking Coffee Break and Visit to the Boutique Exhibition
13:40 - 14:15
AI Literacy Panel Conference Pass
What Every Manager Must Practice for Successful Talent Management
AI adoption doesn’t fail because of technology; it fails when leaders don’t understand how people experience it.
This highly interactive panel uses real-world scenarios, and guided discussion to help leaders assess AI readiness across their organizations. Participants will explore how to lead AI adoption with clarity, empathy, and accountability across key talent touchpoints, including employee training, onboarding, compliance, and customer education in the AI era.
What You’ll Learn:
- Practical AI literacy for leaders to build meaningful AI understanding without needing technical expertise
- Leading adoption with confidence by applying curated, intuitive methods to introduce AI effectively and responsibly
- Inclusive learning design and creating learning pathways that reduce fear, build trust, and minimize resistance to change
14:20 - 14:25
Closing Remarks
14:30 - 15:30
End of Day-1 Conference and Networking Lunch
Day 2 – June 10th, 2026, Wednesday
Conference Day 2
08:30 - 08:55
Registration and Networking Coffee
09:00 - 09:05
Welcome for Day 2 of the ATD Middle East Conference Conference Pass
09:10 - 09:35
Policy to Practice Panel Conference Pass
Nationalization as a Strategic Talent Lever
Nationalization is a competitive advantage, and more than a compliance for HR and L&D
This session explores how HR and L&D leaders can move beyond headcount targets to design nationalization strategies rooted in capability building, leadership readiness, and long-term impact.
What you’ll learn:
- Implementing nationalisation programs built on capability development, prioritizing performance and leadership.
- Strategic alignment with Vision 2030 talent priorities to actionable workforce.
- Understanding how cross-sector, public–private collaboration could accelerate leadership development at scale.
- Building sustainable, future-ready national leadership pipelines.
Speaker
Dr. Wei Wang
Senior Global Director,
Association for Talent Development, USA
09:40 - 09:55
Identifying and Developing High-Potential Talent: Conference Pass
Practical Tools to Build Future Leaders
High-potential employees are the future leaders and innovators of any organization. Identifying and nurturing this talent is critical to building a resilient, agile, and high-performing workforce. This session provides practical insights from global experts on how to spot, develop, and retain top talent to drive long-term business success.
What You’ll Learn:
- Identifying tools to source high-potential employee’s key traits, behaviours, and assessment methods.
- Development strategies for personalized growth plans, mentoring, and challenging assignments.
- Retention and engagement to keeping top talent motivated and committed.
- Global best practices from organizations successfully managing high-potential programs.
10:00 - 10:35
Future of Work Panel Discussion Conference Pass
How Jobs and Roles Are Evolving in the Future of Work
The workplace is undergoing rapid transformation driven by technology, automation, and changing employee expectations. This panel brings together L&D leaders, organizational development experts, and industry practitioners to explore how jobs and roles are evolving, and how organizations can remodel and plan their workforce for the future.
What You’ll Learn:
- Key trends shaping the future of work and the evolution of roles.
- Best practices for managing workforce transitions, training, and building adaptability.
- Strategies for aligning job design with emerging technologies and business goals.
10:40 - 10:55
Bridging the AI Adoption Gap Presentation Conference Pass
Executives are moving fast with AI, but many employees are struggling to keep up. This interactive session explores how leaders and L&D teams can close the AI adoption gap by building AI literacy, trust, and human-centred capabilities across the workforce.
Drawing on regional and global examples, the session equips leaders to turn AI ambition into workforce readiness.
What You’ll Learn:
- Leading with emotional intelligence & practicing trust-building and empathetic leadership during AI-driven change.
- Critical thinking while applying structured thinking to real AI adoption challenges.
- Designing inclusive upskilling approaches that strengthen and have a human centered impact.
11:10 - 11:30
Networking Coffee Break and Visit to the Boutique Exhibition
11:20 - 11:40
Visitor Pass
AI-Enabled Trainer: Revolutionizing Skill Evaluation
AI-powered tools are transforming the landscape of skill evaluation, enabling more accurate, efficient, and personalized assessment of learner competencies in corporate training environments.
- Implementing AI agents for adaptive assessments for real-time skill gap analysis
- Leveraging machine learning algorithms to provide personalized feedback and improvement suggestions
- Integrating AI-enabled evaluation tools with existing learning management systems for seamless workflow
Speaker
Sarah Daly
Director Ed-Tech,
LEORON Institute, UAE
11:35 - 11:55
CLO and CHRO Fireside Chat Conference Pass
Key Players Shaping a Game-Changing L&D Blueprint for People & Organizational Success
In an era of rapid transformation, learning and development has become a critical driver of organizational performance and human potential. This fireside chat brings together senior L&D leaders, business executives, and policy influencers to explore how progressive learning strategies are reshaping workforce capability, leadership effectiveness, and organizational resilience.
What You’ll Learn:
- The L&D imperatives of today’s leaders and how senior decision-makers are redefining learning priorities to drive performance and agility.
- From strategy to execution with practical insights into building L&D blueprints that connect people’s development with organizational outcomes.
- The role of leadership & culture, and how leadership commitment and learning culture accelerate capability-building and change adoption.
12:00 - 12:20
Visitor Pass
The Nuance of C-suite Succession Planning
Succession at the C-suite level is never a simple replacement; it is a complex process that touches power, purpose, and legacy. Beyond choosing a capable successor, organizations must navigate invisible dynamics such as board alignment, cultural readiness, and the emotional weight of leadership transition. In this session, David Ribott unpacks the subtle forces that often go unaddressed in executive succession, drawing from real-world advisory experience and his proprietary leadership frameworks. Attendees will leave with a sharper lens on how to design CEO and
C-suite transitions that are not only smooth but strategically transformative.
Speaker
David Ribott, Ed.D (ABD), MCC,
Abu Dhabi's Top CEO Coach, Founder,
Ribott Partners, UAE
12:00 - 12:15
Measurement of Impact and Learning Impact Conference Pass
Learning is moving into the flow of work and must prove its value
This session will dive deep into measuring ROI and learning impact beyond completion rates within organisation, while navigating on how to understand and implement business and people analytics to link learning to performance, and achieving the desired result.
What You’ll Learn:
- What is AI-powered learning personalization.
- Learning experience design (LxD) vs traditional training.
- Certifications as capability signals (including new credentials like Essentials of Talent Development)
12:20 - 13:00
Generational Inclusion & Strategic L&D Conference Pass
Designing the Workforce Experience for a Multi-Generational Era
With Gen Z forming a significant and growing portion of today’s workforce—while Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers continue to play critical roles, organizations must rethink how learning, engagement, and career development are designed. Generational inclusion is no longer a cultural initiative alone; it is a strategic lever for performance, retention, and organizational sustainability.
This session explores how L&D and HR leaders can intentionally design inclusive learning ecosystems that address diverse expectations, work styles, and career aspirations across generations—while aligning talent strategy with measurable business outcomes.
What You’ll Learn:
- A practical framework for integrating generational inclusion into L&D strategy.
- Approaches to create learning experiences that resonate across all age groups.
- Strategies to strengthen retention through career visibility and continuous development
13:10 - 13:30
Visitor Pass
From Idea to Impact: How DCTLEARN Became a Strategic Learning Platform
This session explores the evolution of DCTLEARN, the Department of Culture and Tourism’s open-access learning platform, from a homegrown idea into a scalable and strategic tool for capability development. Learn how this platform empowers the creative and cultural industries by blending content, technology, and organizational vision. Designed to serve a wide range of professionals-from curators, archaeologists, and falconers to specialists in procurement, HR, and finance, and students alike-DCTLEARN delivers customizable, skills-based, and AI-powered learning.
What you will learn:
- How DCTLEARN was envisioned, developed, and scaled to serve diverse cultural and professional roles.
- How DCTLEARN supports varied learning needs across disciplines and career stages.
- Real-world examples showcasing AI applications in coaching, hiring, performance, and learning design.
Speaker
Raiza Paras
Instructional Designer DCTLEARN – Talent Development,
Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, UAE
13:05 - 13:35
Networking Coffee Break and Visit to the Boutique Exhibition
13:40 - 14:15
Roundtable Hackathon Conference Pass
Human-Centred Leadership: Avoiding Common Mistakes
A fast-paced, hands-on session where teams tackle real-world leadership challenges. Participants explore common mistakes companies make, brainstorm solutions, and pitch ideas to build trust, empathy, and high-performance leadership.
Team Challenges:
- Fixing leadership blind spots that hurt engagement
- Balancing results with human-centric practices
- Embedding empathy, accountability, and psychological safety in leadership