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30th April 2026

NextGen Stage, Za'abeel Hall 6

Dubai World Trade Centre

The UAE’s leading B2B retail summit shaping the future of the Mother, Baby & Child market

The NextGen: Industry Leaders Summit is where the future takes shape. This one-day, high-level conference brings together the key decision-makers and thought leaders defining the next chapter of the Mother, Baby & Child sector.

Topics include:

2026 Speakers

2026 Agenda Coming Soon...

2025 Agenda
  • Time
    Session
  • 09:00 - 10:00
    Registration & Networking
  • 10:00 - 10:05
    Welcome Remarks
  • 10:10 - 10:35
    KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Rooted in Trust, Built for Tomorrow: Mumzworld’s Journey
    Speaker(s):
    Massimiliano SpalazziGroup CEO, Mumzworld
    Read more...
  • 10:40 - 10:55
    Baby & Children’s Retail – Market Overview by KPMG
    Speaker(s):
    Harsha PrakashDirector – Global Strategy, KPMG
    Read more...
  • 11:00 - 11:45
    PANEL DISCUSSION: Strategies for Navigating Expansion in the GCC
    Speaker(s):
    Aby SakkalDirector of Global Operations, Baby Brezza
    Akshay RaoHead of E-commerce, Babyshop
    Ali El HagarManaging Director, Mapyr
    Suresh KuttikattuManaging Director, Babygrow
    Moderator(s):
    Katie ChambersPresenter, Dubai Eye
    Read more...
  • 11:50 - 12:15
    FIRESIDE CHAT: Power, Influence & Purchasing: Understanding The Power Of The Mum Consumer
    Speaker(s):
    Chirin KhawatmiChief Brand Officer, Mumzworld
    Interviewer(s):
    Katie ChambersPresenter, Dubai Eye
    Read more...
  • 12:20 - 13:20
    Networking Lunch
  • 13:25 - 13:50
    FIRESIDE CHAT: Retail Reinvented: Babyshop’s Journey From Local Beginnings To Global Impact
    Speaker(s):
    Ruban ShanmugarajahCEO, Babyshop
    Interviewer(s):
    Kris FadeThe Baby Expo Host
    Read more...
  • 13:55 - 14:40
    PANEL DISCUSSION: The Future of Play: How Licensing, Innovation &Consumer Trends Are Redefining the Toy Industry’s Competitive Landscape

    Speaker(s):
    Geoff SheffieldCCO, The Entertainer
    Vinod KVDirector, Trucare
    Moderator(s):
    Katie ChambersPresenter, Dubai Eye
    Read more...
  • 14:45 - 15:30
    PANEL DISCUSSION: Building Lasting Brand Loyalty in the Baby Industry: Strategies for Trust, Engagement, and Long-Term Relationships with Parents
    Speaker(s):
    David ContractVP of Global Marketing, Baby Brezza
    Elli KasbiCEO, Elli Junior
    Jozie HabibCEO, Mummazone
    Mitin ChakrabortyHead of Marketing, Babyshop
    Moderator(s):
    Katie ChambersPresenter, Dubai Eye
    Read more...
  • 15:35 - 16:20
    PANEL DISCUSSION: Future of Sustainable and Innovative Retail: Responsibility and Opportunity in a Changing World
    Speaker(s):
    Barbara KreibichDirector of International Sales, Hauck GmbH & Co.KG
    Farzanah AllyCEO, Babyhood
    Halima JumaniCEO, Kibsons
    Manisha R.Co-founder, SAM BOX Baby Care Requisites Trading LLC
    Moderator(s):
    Katie ChambersPresenter, Dubai Eye
    Read more...
  • 16:25 - 16:30
    Closing Remarks
  • 16:30 - 17:45
    Networking
  • 19:00
    Mother Baby & Child Awards & Gala Dinner in Collaboration with The Baby Expo Dubai

    The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre
    (Please note: This event requires a separate ticket. Not included in the NextGen Summit Pass.)

    Read more...

Who Should Attend?

Meet, network, build relationships and do business with:

Specialist Retailers / Baby & Children’s Shops

Distributors / Wholesalers

Supermarkets

E-Commerce Platforms

Pharmacies

Nurseries / Early Learning Centres / Schools

Department Stores

Hospitals / Clinics

Entrepreneurs

Toy / Book Stores

Mother, Baby and Children’s Brands

Manufacturers

Massimiliano Spalazzi

Group CEO of Mumzworld

Massimiliano Spalazzi is the CEO of Mumzworld, the Middle East’s leading e-commerce platform for Mum, Baby, and Child. With over a decade of experience in building and scaling e-commerce platforms, he was part of the founding team of Jumia and later served as Executive Vice President of Marketplace, leading its growth across several African markets.

Now based in Dubai, Massimiliano is focused on driving Mumzworld’s next phase of expansion. Originally from Italy, he is a father of two and passionate about creating meaningful, tech-driven solutions that make parenting easier and more rewarding for families across the region.

Sachin Kumar

Head of E-Commerce Toys R Us, Al Futtaim Group

Sachin Kumar is the Head of E-Commerce at Toys R Us, Al Futtaim Group, where he oversees the end-to-end e-commerce portfolio and digital marketing for the MENA region. His expertise lies in developing and executing omnichannel strategies that enhance brand positioning, customer engagement, and revenue growth. Sachin successfully led the expansion of e-commerce platforms, digital marketing campaigns, and business development initiatives for various industries, including fashion, healthcare, and retail. Sachin holds certifications in e-commerce and digital marketing from reputable institutions, and is always eager to learn new skills and technologies to stay ahead in the fast-paced digital landscape.

Irfan Porbanderwalla

CEO - India, Middle East & Africa | Cybex

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chirin Khawatmi

Chief Brand Officer at Mumzworld

Chirin Khawatmi serves as the Chief Brand Officer at Mumzworld, the Middle East’s leading e-commerce platform for Mum, Baby, and Child, and is the founder of Mama’s Box, a pioneering subscription service for new mothers. With over a decade of experience in brand strategy, digital marketing, and category management, she brings deep expertise in understanding the evolving needs of mum consumers.

Chirin helps brands forge lasting connections through data-driven insights and community engagement, and is a strong advocate for mum-centric retail experiences that fuel growth, innovation, and brand loyalty. Originally from Syria, she has lived in Germany and has called Dubai home for the past 15 years.

Farah Ahmed

Founder and CEO, The Baby Garage

Farah Ahmed is the Founder and CEO of The Baby Garage, a community-powered commerce platform redefining how brands, wholesalers, retailers, and parents connect through circular and social commerce models.
Through a trusted ecosystem engaging over 1.3 million mothers across the region, Farah has enabled more than 5,000 brands and online businesses to launch, evolve, and scale directly to consumers while vetting more than 100,000 SKUs bridging wholesale, retail, and resale into one accessible marketplace.
Farah is a Mompreneur of the Year (Entrepreneur ME), a Shark Tank alum, featured by Forbes, IFC, the World Bank, and Africa’s Business Heroes & others.

Nahla Olabi

Co-founder, Kojokaru Toys

Nahla Olabi is the Co-founder of Kojokaru Toys, pioneers in creating unique handcrafted Cultural and Islamic wooden toys for children.

She co-founded the company with her mother, Adriana Olabi, an early years teacher with more than 26 years of experience and a Montessori specialist.

Previously, Nahla worked as a Nursery Operations Manager, gaining extensive experience in early childhood education and school operations. A mother of three, she combines professional insight and personal experience to produce educational, eco-friendly toys that inspire creativity and promote tolerance, diversity, and cultural understanding.

Silvia Pieroni

Managing Director Made by Nature

Silvia is an architect and mother of two children. Following sixteen years in corporate architecture and development firms in Lisbon, Macau, Hong Kong and Dubai, Silvia decided to combine her commitment to sustainability, love of design and motherhood experience in the creation of Made by Nature – a business concept that stemmed from her personal desire for sustainable and organic products for her family.
Silvia has partnered with a diverse array of designer brands from all corners of the globe. Each brand carefully selected based on their dedication to using organic materials in fashion and personal care, sustainable materials in toys, and their overall commitment to sustainability and ethical manufacturing practices.