Idris Elba at BRIDGE Summit stands out as a highlight of the upcoming gathering, where over 60,000 guests are scheduled to assemble at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi next month for the inaugural BRIDGE Summit. The three-day conference is expected to bring together leaders and innovators from various fields to discuss the intersection of media, entertainment, culture, technology, and policy.
The summit is organized with support from key industry players such as Meta, X, LinkedIn, Sony, Canva, Time, and Forbes, emphasizing broad representation from major platforms and brands. More than 400 speakers will participate, covering a vast range of topics including the creator economy, advances in technology, trends in marketing, media, gaming, film, and music. Organizers describe the event as a place where
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the future of media, entertainment, culture, and technology meet[ing] power, policy, and capital on one bridge.
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Conference Themes and Daily Focus
Each day of BRIDGE Summit is structured around a distinct theme, designed to encourage targeted discussions and insights. The first day will focus on the current state of the media and entertainment landscape. The second day, titled Vision, addresses how the ecosystem is being transformed. The conference concludes with Blueprint, exploring actionable strategies and pathways for the next era of media and entertainment.
Prominent Speakers Across Industries
The impressive roster of speakers includes professionals with backgrounds in business, technology, philanthropy, and creative sectors. Among the highlighted guests are Princess Lamia bint Majid Al Saud of Alwaleed Philanthropies; entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk; Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian; and Idris Elba, who is recognized for his work as an actor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Other notable participants include YouTuber Michelle Khare, Creator Camp CEO Max Reisinger, Google MENA’s Anthony Nakache, Moira Forbes from Forbes, and Mo Abudu of EbonyLife Group. Additional figures such as Semafor co-founder Justin Smith, Binance CEO Richard Teng, European Parliament member Fidias Panayiotou, and CAA’s Digital Media Head David Freeman will join as well.
New generation perspectives will be provided by UTA’s Ziad Ahmed and Darnell Strom, alongside Dave Page of Viewture. Major brands are represented by Sarah Meron from IBM, Maggie Schmerin of United Airlines, and LinkedIn’s Katie Carroll. Zaria Parvez from DoorDash, Tencent’s Dr. Ling Ge, Robinhood’s Casey Craig, and Tubefilter’s Drew Baldwin also feature on the list.
Looking Ahead to Impact and Participation
The BRIDGE Summit aims to set a precedent for cross-sector engagement in Abu Dhabi, acting as a meeting point for professionals, creatives, and policymakers to exchange ideas and strategies for future industry growth. As Idris Elba at BRIDGE Summit draws significant attention, the organizers anticipate dynamic talks that could shape the evolving landscape of media and culture on a global scale.
Applications remain open for those interested in attending or exhibiting at BRIDGE Summit 2025, reflecting sustained momentum following this high-profile inaugural event. Industry watchers and participants will follow closely to see how connections formed at this gathering influence the direction of media and technology in years to come.
