A leading human resources event in the Middle East has opened today (November 16) in Dubai, featuring a packed agenda of guru speakers, 60 free seminars, platform of 70 companies sharing the latest HR solutions.

 

The three-day 12th edition of the HR Summit and Exp was opened by Amal Bin Adi, director general of Dubai Government Human Resources, at the Dubai International and Exhibition Centre.

 

“As a representative of the government, my participation in the opening of the HR Summit and Expo comes within the framework of our continued efforts to build bridges of support for effective communication between the parties involved in the development of this sector and its employees.  This is achieved through the exchange of knowledge and practices coming to productive conclusions," said Adi.

 

“I hope that everyone is able to have a rich experience by participating in the sessions and workshops on offer and learn from the best experts and specialists in the region,” she said.

 

The event, under the theme ‘Business Unusual: Disrupting HR and Leading Innovation’, welcomed three inspirational guru speakers: Ram Charan, co-author of best-selling book, The Talent Masters; Fons Trompenaars, globally renowned consultant and organisational theorist; and best-selling author Jim Kouzes, one of Wall Street Journal’s twelve best executive educators in the US.

 

Alongside the guru speakers, the HR Summit & Expo has this year attracted a speaker line-up of more than 80 regional and international HR heads from some of the biggest regional and multinational organisations in the world.

 

The summit will feature Sven Rohte, chief commercial officer, at Daman who will discuss ‘Empowering the HR Function to Understand Organisational Health and Manage Costs’, and Yvonne Agyei, vice president for People Operations at Google, who will present, ‘Finding Your Google: How to Drive a Happiness and Innovation Culture.’

 

Another highlight will be a presentation from Scott Friedman, an engagement and innovation expert, who will reveal the great need for transportation in today’s fast-paced, stress inducing workplace.

 

“The biggest HR and people challenges facing businesses in the Middle East today are old patterns of behaviour, generational issues getting in the way of creating more innovative systems and not taking advantage of technology and how it can improve business processes,” said Friedman.

 

“Through my presentation, you will learn how you can create a culture of innovation and celebration at work and how to develop engaged, passionate employees through gratitude, play, and surprise. You will learn how to create fun, innovative rituals which foster a more open and engaging workplace, and how to make the 'celebration mindset' become a permanent way of thinking at your workplace,” he said.

 

Running alongside the conference and exhibition is the Middle East HR Excellence Awards, which will showcase the best HR talent in the Middle East and honour the regions professionals in the public and private sectors. 

 

The winners will be celebrated across 10 separate categories at a gala dinner tomorrow (November 17). - TradeArabia News Service