Leading players of the regional public relations sector will discuss the new and emerging trends in communications industry at the third annual Middle East Public Relations Association (Mepra) Leadership Majlis being held in Abu Dhabi on May 10. 

 

With more than 1,500 members, the Mepra is the regional trade association for the communications industry. 

 

At the event which takes place at the Eastern Mangroves hotel in the UAE capital, the regional players will have the opportunity to hear from global communications leaders on the key industry issues. 

 

The top-line speakers at the ‘New Worlds, New Approaches’ majlis include Danny Rogers, the editor of global industry journal PR Week, who has tracked the public relations industry for 20 years; Roger Bolton, the president of the Arthur W Page Society, who will tackle how to tell the truth in the era of fake news, in addition to Bjorn Edlund, CEO of Edlund Consulting, who will tap into the path to define your corporate purpose.

 

Several countries in the Middle East are amongst the world’s top users of social media, studies have shown, and patterns of communication are evolving rapidly. 

 

This has critical implications for an industry that seeks to inform society and shape perception on behalf of Governments, companies and other organisations. 

 

Founded in 2001, Mepra works to promote and advance the public relations industry in the region. In addition to many leading public relations consultancies, major corporations from Airbus to Mubadala and Abu Dhabi Media are its members. 

 

Mepra chairman Ray Eglington said since its establishment, the public relations industry has changed dramatically. 

 

"At the Majlis we are going to discuss what might happen next. At the very least, we can expect change to only accelerate, he noted. 

 

During the Majlis, the association will also announce the third winner of the ‘Mepra Visionary Award’ at the Leadership Majlis, recognising an industry leader’s contribution to public relations in the Middle East.  

 

Noura Al Kaabi, the minister of state for Federal National Council Affairs and chairwoman of the Media Zone Authority-Abu Dhabi and twofour54, gave the keynote address at last year’s majlis.

 

She was also presented the 2016 Mepra Visionary Award, given to a CEO who has shown leadership in their use of  communications.-TradeArabia News Service