MLE Connect 2017, the UK’s biggest B2B event showcasing the trillion pound global Muslim lifestyle sector, will take place in London for the second successive year this May.

The event will bring together business owners, brands, entrepreneurs and start-ups from across the world to learn, network and explore market opportunities.

The event will see industry experts host a series of seminars and panel discussions across a number of industries within the Muslim lifestyle sectors including halal food, modest fashion, marketing, media, branding, finance, and international trade.

The Muslim consumer lifestyle market is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world today growing 9.5 per cent from previous years’ estimates to $1.8 trillion at 2014 and projected to reach $3 trillion by 2021 according to a recent report by Thomson Reuters & Dinar Standard.

The UK is seen as a key market globally with brands and businesses keen to connect with Muslims consumers as well as a strong community of entrepreneurs and start-ups.

Tahir Mirza, founder of the event, said “MLE Connect is the UK’s only dedicated conference that connects brands and business owners across the growing Muslim lifestyle sectors. Our event also highlights the growing opportunities for mainstream brands to engage in this dynamic global economy”

“Our research shows us that businesses, big and small, want to expand and connect internationally. MLE Connect will provide them with the market intelligence and opportunities to connect with key industry players.”

“More importantly, the conference is open to anybody regardless of faith and will be a great way to network and develop new partnerships and generate business.”

Last year’s inaugural event saw over 160 business professionals attend from a variety of sectors and industries including include supermarket giants Tesco and Asda.

Guest speakers at the 2017 event include Shelina Janmohammed, vice president of marketing consultancy Ogilvy Noor; award-winning CEO of Alchemiya, Navid Akhtar; and a keynote speech by CEO of Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre, Abdulla Al Awar. Attendees include representatives from the Turkish, Iranian and ASEAN trade organisations, Lewis Pies, Global Islamic Economy Summit, Haloodies, Aab and Haute Elan.

MLE Connect 2017 will take place in the heart of the City of London at 155, Bishopsgate, Liverpool Street, on May 2, with Human Appeal as the charity partner.

“Human Appeal is delighted to be the chosen charity for MLE Connect for the second year running,” said Sammera Ali, business development manager, Human Appeal.

“We will be using the funds raised at the event to help women with their own start ups, not in the UK, but in Iraq. We are helping women to set up bakeries in the city, which will not only help them and their families by generating an income, it will also address the food-shortages in the city.
“Human Appeal believe that encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit and helping people to help themselves is the most effective way of empowering communities.”

In October 2016, the team behind MLE Connect, organised the Muslim Lifestyle Expo 2016 – the UK’s biggest Muslim consumer platform.

Over 12,000 people from across the country attended the second annual Muslim Lifestyle Expo 2016 (MLE2016) which took place in Manchester’s EventCity.

Alongside a live modest fashion show, comedy festival, and live cooking theatre, the two-day event saw 136 exhibitors from 2015 countries including brands such as Asda, Turkish Airlines, Al Rayan Bank and the RAF promote their products and services. Over six in 10 exhibitors taking part were Muslim female entrepreneurs from across the country. The MLE is an award winning B2C and B2B platform for the global Muslim lifestyle sectors. - TradeArabia News Service