MEPRA to convene the eighth KSA Leadership Majlis in Riyadh, bringing together leading communications professionals

Riyadh, 7 October 2026: The Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) will convene the eighth edition of its KSA Leadership Majlis in Riyadh on 3 November 2026, bringing together senior communications leaders and experts from government and business to examine how the profession is evolving — and the increasingly strategic role it plays in building trust, strengthening reputation, informing decision-making and delivering meaningful impact.

Held under the theme “From Vision to Impact: How Strategic Communication is Shaping Saudi Arabia’s Transformation”, this year’s Majlis will explore how communications is moving closer to the heart of organisational strategy. Against an increasingly complex and fast-changing environment, the discussions will consider how communications leaders can anticipate emerging challenges, strengthen stakeholder relationships and align communications more closely with institutional priorities and measurable outcomes.

The programme will examine some of the forces shaping the future of the profession, including the role of communications in translating vision into impact, strengthening organisational resilience, and navigating the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence and emerging technologies while maintaining trust.

The Majlis will open with a keynote address by Ahmed Fahad Alshammari, Spokesperson for GASCO Holding and Executive Vice President of Marketing, Corporate Communications, Sustainability and Customer Experience, titled “Trust Amid Change: Leading Communications in a New Regional Landscape.” As Strategic Partner and Headline Sponsor of the Majlis, GASCO’s participation reflects the growing importance of trust and communications leadership in navigating a rapidly changing regional environment.

The programme will feature three principal panel discussions, each addressing a distinct dimension of the transformation taking place across the communications profession.

The first panel, “From Vision to Impact: Communication as a Driver of Transformation”, will examine how communications can help turn organisational vision and strategy into tangible impact. The session will be moderated by Waleed Alharbi, Director General of Corporate Communications at the Saudi Ministry of Health, and will feature Saleh Ibrahim Alzowayeed, General Manager of Media and Communications at the Royal Commission for Riyadh City; Sigha Alshammri, Saudi media professional, writer and corporate communications expert; and Amira Anwar Afandi, executive leader in corporate communications and brand building.

The second panel, “The Future of Communication: AI, Trust and Leading Through Uncertainty”, will explore how artificial intelligence, technological change and growing uncertainty are reshaping communications leadership and the foundations of institutional trust. The session will be moderated by Monther M. Tayeb, MEPRA Fellow, Vice Chairman and Chair of the KSA Leadership Majlis Committee, with Nora AbdulRahman AlAlshaikh, senior marketing, communications and brand executive; Turki AlToaimi, Chief Corporate Communications Officer at Diriyah Gate Development Authority; and Taiseer Almofarej, Executive Director of Strategic Communications and Official Spokesperson at the Real Estate General Authority.

The third panel, “Impactful Organisation Transformation: Building Organisations Ready for the Future”, will focus on the role of leadership and communications in helping organisations adapt, transform and prepare for what lies ahead. It will be moderated by H.E. Heba Fatani, MEPRA Fellow and Strategy Board Member, and Director General of the Ras Al Khaimah Government Media Office, alongside Kateryna Byelova, MEPRA Strategy Board Member and CEO of Sage XP; Dr Steven Carl Smith, Senior Corporate Communication Specialist at Marafiq; and Dr Muath Al-Jaafari, CEO of Tharwah Consulting.

Commenting on the Majlis, Monther M. Tayeb, MEPRA Vice Chairman and Chair of the KSA Leadership Majlis Committee, said: “Communications is undergoing a fundamental shift in its role and standing within organisations — from managing messages to creating impact, building trust and supporting better decision-making. The KSA Leadership Majlis brings together leading practitioners and experts to address the issues shaping the future of our profession and to strengthen its ability to navigate transformation and create lasting value for organisations and society.”

He added that the Majlis provides a professional platform for communications leaders to exchange perspectives and practical experience, while connecting communications practice more closely with the challenges and opportunities facing organisations today and helping build the profession’s capabilities for the future.

This year’s KSA Leadership Majlis is supported by GASCO Holding as Strategic Partner and Headline Sponsor; CARMA as Gold Insights Partner; Influential Communication as Gold Partner; and flynas as Official Airline Partner, with A2Z Media Group and Jummar PR joining as Supporting Partners.

View the Arabic Translation here.