Upcoming Show

SCALE Middle East 2025

Hilton Palm Jumeirah · Dubai

October 22-23, 2025

SCALE MIDDLE EAST 2025

The Must-Attend event for Short Term Rentals operators in the Middle East Region

SCALE Middle East is the only conference in the region dedicated 100% to Property Managers and holiday rental operators in the Middle East.

 

Following a successful inaugural edition, this 2-day event returns to unite property managers, property investors, owners, hosts, and agencies seeking to learn and connect with local peers and international industry experts.

This is a must-attend conference if you are interested to learn how to scale your operations in the region or if you’re looking to expand your business in one of the hottest real estate market in the world.

Join 200+ attendees, international speakers, industry experts and leading service providers in Dubai for 2 days of unmissable education and networking.

Why attend

Unrivalled Networking Opportunities

SCALE Shows focus on professional short-term rental property management companies and ambitious owners and hosts. We do not allow service providers to purchase tickets so you know you’ll be in a room with a highly relevant and experienced peer group to foster connections and collaborations.

High-Quality, Attendee-Driven Content

Uniquely, all SCALE Show curates content around key themes selected by attendees upon ticket registration. The conferences feature an extensive network of regional and global industry experts who deliver premium education relating to scaling a rental business. A core principle of any SCALE Show is that content sessions are dedicated purely to growth education, without sales pitches from vendors or speakers.

Affordable and Accessible

We keep our ticket prices affordable, making it more accessible to a wider range of property managers and individuals.

What to expect

All SCALE attendees can expect 1-2 days of top-notch education and unmissable networking with industry peers.

Education

One of the unique aspects of SCALE Middle East is its commitment to curating content based on attendee input. When you register, you’ll have the opportunity to choose topics of interest to you. This ensures that the sessions address the most pressing challenges and opportunities faced by property managers looking to scale. Expect panel discussions, keynote presentations and workshops on topics crucial for scaling a rental business, including topics such as AI, automation, branding, direct booking strategies, guest experience, market data insights, owner relations, profitability, property acquisition, regulations and revenue management.

Networking

Meet 200+ highly ambitious industry experts and short-term rental professionals also looking to scale their businesses. You can expect a shared mindset of growth, innovation, and problem-solving. Expect several structured and informal networking opportunities throughout the day, including coffee breaks, lunch, and evening receptions or social events.

Who is it for

This is not a generic travel conference targeting thousands of attendees.

SCALE Middle East is specifically designed for hosts and property managers who are aiming to grow their short-term rental operations, improve efficiency, increase inventory, and enhance profitability.

Eligibility Requirements

Being a Property Manager with a portfolio of 20+ properties under management.

Service and product providers are not entitled to buy a regular ticket.

STR consultants interested in joining should reach out to the organisation to get a specific ticket. All tickets purchased in violation of these participation criteria will be canceled and refunded.

The Venue

Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah
Dubai, UAE
OPEN MAP

Speakers

Confirmed 2025 Speakers

Oriol Plana

Event Director

SCALE Middle East

Athul Mohan

Market Manager MEA

Pricelabs

Boris Pavlov

Co-founder

Flataway

Fede Ruiz

Founder

Livit Real Estate

Ghadi Achkar

Territory manager

Airbnb

Karalina Zimbitskaya

CCO

Mastermind Tech

Lynette Sacchetto

Founder

RealTrust UAE

Mark Simpson

Founder

Boostly

Peter May

COO

Silkhaus

Rebecca Cribbin

Founder & CEO

Holiday Rental Specialists

Redeet Negate

Founder & CEO

SmartStay

Robin Clifford

Sales Director EMEA

Guesty

Silvia Eldawi

Founder

Propology

Siddiq Farid

Managing Director

REACH MENA

Tejas Halbe

Director

Strategy Cues

Tim Koninckx

Area Sales manager

Autorank

Vahan Papoyan

Deputy General manager

Deluxe Holiday Homes

Vinayak Mahtani

Chairman and Group CEO

BNBMe

Walid Shihabi

Founder

Keyper

Yasin Valimulla

Founder

The Luxury Address

Antoine Medawar

Investor

ExploreTECH

Natalia Sanchez

QuickPass

Cassie Fields

Chief Revenue Officer

Hostaway

Ishan Gangakhedkar

Founder

Strategy Cues

Serge Dfouni

Co-Founder & CEO

Signature Stay

Zaira Marie Verunque

President

iBoard Living

Luis Santos

Founder & Managing Director

First Class Property Management

Bass Ackerman

Founder

HIVE

Amani El Sehrawey O’Neill

Head of Public Policy, Middle East

Airbnb

Vinod Negi

Sales Leader

Dharma

Dr. Salwa Arfaoui

Regional Director

OnsStay / Next Level

Rakesh Mavath

Co-founder & CEO

Takeem

Harrison Moore

CEO

Vacationer Dubai

Lijo Jose

Head of Revenue

Mr.Alfred

Saber Kordestanchi

Co-Founder

Hostaway

Ayhan K. Isaacs

Founder

Growth Rhino

Shahbaz Ali Bhutta

Head of Finance

mr.alfred

Eduardo Mandri

Co-Founder & CEO

Angel Host

Francisca Pavese

Founder

Voyage

Amr Ghyada

Founder

Proscan

Burhan Hayat

Head of Sales, UAE and UK

GuestReady

Haitham Ali Khamis

Director of Tourism Product Development

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

Maria Kopylova

Operations & HR Manager

SmartStay

Sidhaant Siingh

Founder & CEO

Skyline Serenity

Dolores Steffen

Partner

Stayfinity Vacation Homes Rentals

Jim Mansfield

Owner

Prestige Retreats Vacation Home Rentals

Pepijn Haima

Co-founder

Seraya

Nemo Acimovic

Managing Director

Dex Living Vacation Home Rental

Nidal Natik

CEO & Co-Founder

Royal Holiday Homes & Royal Properties

Mohammad Kalbouneh

Managing Director

Oak Tree Vacation Homes

Bek Nasimov

Head of Revenue Management

Livjaza Vacation Homes Rental

Marijana Mihajlovic

Advisor Travel Trade & Market Development

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

Jaime Castaneda

CEO

NINETY NINE SB INVESTMENT LLC

Manuel Garcia

General Manager

The Unexpected Hotels

Sultan Al Awani

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

Shaikha Ebrahim Almutawa

DET

See all past speakers

The Schedule

Day 1

October 22, 2025

Day 2

October 23, 2025

09:00 - 09:45
Foyet

Attendee Arrival & Networking

09:45 - 10:00
SCALE Stage

Opening Remarks

Speakers

Oriol Plana

Event Director

SCALE Middle East

10:00 - 10:30
SCALE Stage

Dubai Tourism Outlook 2025. Shaping the Future of Hospitality in Dubai

Speakers

Shaikha Ebrahim Almutawa

DET

Moderator

Oriol Plana

Event Director

SCALE Middle East

10:30 - 11:00
SCALE Stage

Market Pulse: Data‑Driven Insights for Dubai

Market leaders dissect data trends, from occupancy and ADRs to demand drivers. Learn how to use insights to optimize performance and anticipate market shifts.

Speakers

Athul Mohan

Market Manager MEA

Pricelabs

Ishan Gangakhedkar

Founder

Strategy Cues

11:00 - 11:30
SCALE Stage

Revenue Growth in 2026: Global Insights and Middle East Opportunities

Mature markets have valuable lessons in regulation, growth, and technology adoption. Practical strategies for Middle East property managers to win in 2026.

Speakers

Cassie Fields

Chief Revenue Officer

Hostaway

11:30 - 12:00
Foyet

Coffee Break & Networking

12:30 - 13:00
SCALE Stage

Roundtable Discussions

13:00 - 13:30
SCALE Stage

Capital Growth: Abu Dhabi’s STR Landscape

Abu Dhabi is ramping up investment in tourism and STR. A look at the market’s growth, regulations, and opportunities.

Speakers

Peter May

COO

Silkhaus

Francisca Pavese

Founder

Voyage

Nidal Natik

CEO & Co-Founder

Royal Holiday Homes & Royal Properties

Moderator

Nemo Acimovic

Managing Director

Dex Living Vacation Home Rental

13:30 - 15:00

Lunch Break

15:00 - 15:30
SCALE Stage

Winning the Guest Before They Book

Explore modern marketing strategies for STR operators. From storytelling to social media to performance marketing, discover what truly drives conversions today.

Speakers

Mark Simpson

Founder

Boostly

15:00 - 15:30
Knowledge Room

M&A in Dubai’s Holiday Homes: Insights, Process, and Strategies

Abu Dhabi is ramping up investment in tourism and STR. A look at the market’s growth, regulations, and opportunities.

Speakers

Oriol Plana

Event Director

SCALE Middle East

15:30 - 16:00
SCALE Stage

From OTA Dependence to Direct Bookings Dominance

Learn proven tactics to drive direct bookings and reduce OTA reliance. A mix of operator stories and tech insights from those leading the direct booking movement.

Speakers

Boris Pavlov

Co-founder

Flataway

Tim Koninckx

Area Sales manager

Autorank

Vinayak Mahtani

Chairman and Group CEO

BNBMe

Moderator

Mark Simpson

Founder

Boostly

15:30 - 16:00
Knowledge Room

Taxes & Accounting in STR: What Every Operator Must Know

From VAT to local compliance, the financial side of STR can’t be ignored. This session breaks down the essentials of taxes and accounting so property managers can stay compliant and profitable.

Speakers

Shahbaz Ali Bhutta

Head of Finance

mr.alfred

16:00 - 16:30
SCALE Stage

Reputation at Scale: Managing Reviews and Customer Experience for Growth

In an industry where trust drives bookings, reputation is everything. This session uncovers best practices in review management, customer experience, and service consistency — and how operators can preserve their brand and guest satisfaction while scaling rapidly.

Speakers

Rebecca Cribbin

Founder & CEO

Holiday Rental Specialists

Tejas Halbe

Director

Strategy Cues

Mohammad Kalbouneh

Managing Director

Oak Tree Vacation Homes

Moderator

Amani El Sehrawey O’Neill

Head of Public Policy, Middle East

Airbnb

16:00 - 16:30
Knowledge Room

The Guest Experience Multiplied: Scaling Smart Without Diluting the Luxury Touch

Balancing operational efficiency with Dubai’s signature high-end hospitality expectations.

Speakers

Karalina Zimbitskaya

CCO

Mastermind Tech

16:30 - 17:00
SCALE Stage

From PMS to AI: Choosing the Right Tech Stack

With so many tools available, how do you choose the right stack? Leaders share how to select, integrate, and maximize technology to boost efficiency and profitability.

Speakers

Vahan Papoyan

Deputy General manager

Deluxe Holiday Homes

Natalia Sanchez

QuickPass

Luis Santos

Founder & Managing Director

First Class Property Management

Saber Kordestanchi

Co-Founder

Hostaway

Moderator

Antoine Medawar

Investor

ExploreTECH

16:30 - 17:00
Knowledge Room

Building Memories, Building Loyalty

Exceptional experiences create powerful brands. This session looks at how service, storytelling, and consistency can transform guests into advocates.

Speakers

Vinayak Mahtani

Chairman and Group CEO

BNBMe

17:00 - 20:00

Drinks & Networking Event

09:00 - 09:30
Foyet

Attendee Arrival & Networking

09:30 - 10:00
SCALE Stage

Abu Dhabi Tourism Outlook 2025; Shaping the Future of Hospitality in Abu Dhabi

Speakers

Haitham Ali Khamis

Director of Tourism Product Development

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

Marijana Mihajlovic

Advisor Travel Trade & Market Development

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

Sultan Al Awani

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

Moderator

Oriol Plana

Event Director

SCALE Middle East

10:00 - 11:00
SCALE Stage

Roundtable Discussions

11:00 - 11:30
Foyet

Coffee Break & Networking

11:30 - 12:00
SCALE Stage

Smarter, Faster, Cheaper: AI in Everyday Property Management

Artificial intelligence is transforming how property managers price, operate, and engage guests. This session shows why ignoring AI is a competitive risk — and how to start using it today.

Speakers

Robin Clifford

Sales Director EMEA

Guesty

Vinod Negi

Sales Leader

Dharma

Amr Ghyada

Founder

Proscan

Moderator

Gianpaolo Vairo

Co-founder & COO

SCALE

11:30 - 12:00
Knowledge Room

From 0 to 75+ Units: 7 Mistakes I'd Never Make Again

How I Scaled From 0 to 75 units in Dubai – the costly mistakes, key lessons, and the steps that actually drive profitable growth

Speakers

Redeet Negate

Founder & CEO

SmartStay

12:00 - 12:30
SCALE Stage

Growth, Stability or Correction?

A candid discussion on Dubai’s real estate market: are we headed for growth, stability, or a correction? Experts weigh in.

Speakers

Yasin Valimulla

Founder

The Luxury Address

Rakesh Mavath

Co-founder & CEO

Takeem

Bek Nasimov

Head of Revenue Management

Livjaza Vacation Homes Rental

Moderator

Silvia Eldawi

Founder

Propology

12:00 - 12:30
Knowledge Room

Build a Bankable STR Plan

Every successful business starts with a plan. Learn how to create, finance and execute an STR business plan in today’s environment.

Speakers

Ibrahim Shami

Co-founder

Seraya

Pepijn Haima

Co-founder

Seraya

12:30 - 13:00
SCALE Stage

From 10 to 1,000 Units: The Scaling Playbook

Leaders share strategies and pitfalls from scaling STR portfolios. Learn how to grow sustainably while maintaining quality.

Speakers

Peter May

COO

Silkhaus

Dr. Salwa Arfaoui

Regional Director

OnsStay / Next Level

Harrison Moore

CEO

Vacationer Dubai

Burhan Hayat

Head of Sales, UAE and UK

GuestReady

Moderator

Ghadi Achkar

Territory manager

Airbnb

12:30 - 13:00
Knowlegde Room

Finding Profitable STR Properties in Dubai

How do you identify properties with STR potential? Experts share the key indicators and pitfalls to avoid.

Speakers

Dolores Steffen

Partner

Stayfinity Vacation Homes Rentals

Jim Mansfield

Owner

Prestige Retreats Vacation Home Rentals

13:00 - 13:30
SCALE Stage

Growth Without Chaos

Scaling isn’t just about adding units. This session explores sustainable growth strategies that protect quality and profitability.

Speakers

Rebecca Cribbin

Founder & CEO

Holiday Rental Specialists

13:00 - 13:30
Knowledge Room

Understanding the OTA Algorithms to Boost your Revenues

A practical walkthrough of how OTA ranking and pricing algorithms work—and the specific levers you can optimize to climb search results and convert more bookings.

Speakers

Eduardo Mandri

Co-Founder & CEO

Angel Host

13:30 - 15:00

Lunch Break

15:00 - 15:30
SCALE Stage

Where to Invest Next in the Intersection of RE & Hospitality - Alternative Asset Plays in STR

Investors are diversifying into alternative asset classes. Explore the intersection of hospitality and real estate in 2025.

Speakers

Siddiq Farid

Managing Director

REACH MENA

Zaira Marie Verunque

President

iBoard Living

Bass Ackerman

Founder

HIVE

Moderator

Walid Shihabi

Founder

Keyper

15:00 - 15:30
Knowledge Room

Automation for Growth: The Lean Operator’s Playbook

The most important tools, automations and workflows that save hours, reduce errors, and make scaling smooth.

Speakers

Redeet Negate

Founder & CEO

SmartStay

15:30 - 16:00
SCALE Stage

Building global luxury brands in hospitality

Iconic hospitality brands like Sunset Hospitality, 99 Sushi, or Ushuaïa Ibiza transcend borders and industries — they create experiences that resonate worldwide. This session uncovers how global luxury brands are built, scaled, and sustained, and what short-term rental operators can learn from their playbook to elevate guest experiences and strengthen their own brands.

Speakers

Serge Dfouni

Co-Founder & CEO

Signature Stay

Jaime Castaneda

CEO

NINETY NINE SB INVESTMENT LLC

Manuel Garcia

General Manager

The Unexpected Hotels

Moderator

Nemo Acimovic

Managing Director

Dex Living Vacation Home Rental

15:30 - 16:00
Knowledge Room

Guest Experience First: Protecting 5 Star Reviews

Guest experience is more than service: it’s a strategy. Learn how to delight guests and boost repeat business.

Speakers

Maria Kopylova

Operations & HR Manager

SmartStay

16:00 - 16:30
SCALE Stage

Data-Backed Revenue Management That Works

A hands-on discussion of revenue strategies tested by operators. Learn what really moves the needle in revenue management.

Speakers

Athul Mohan

Market Manager MEA

Pricelabs

Ishan Gangakhedkar

Founder

Strategy Cues

Lijo Jose

Head of Revenue

Mr.Alfred

Moderator

Lynette Sacchetto

Founder

RealTrust UAE

16:00 - 16:30
Knowledge Room

Scaling Smart: Real-Life Lessons in 2025

Candid lessons on scaling — what to avoid, what to double down on, and how to grow with clarity.

Speakers

Sidhaant Siingh

Founder & CEO

Skyline Serenity

16:30 - 17:00
SCALE Stage

Chosen by AI: The New Path to Direct Bookings

AI is changing how travelers search and book – from blue links to curated answered and in-chat actions. This session provides actionable tips on how property managers can get discovered by LLMs and AI travel agents

Speakers

Boris Pavlov

Co-founder

Flataway

17:00 - 18:00
SCALE Stage

Final Pitch: Who Will Win SCALE 2025?

The SCALE startup program finalists pitch live. Which startup will stand out and secure the spotlight?

18:00 - 20:00

Drinks & Networking

PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

SCALE Middle East 2025 Sponsors

Headline Sponsors

Show Sponsors

EVENT PASSES

SCALE Middle East 2025 Ticket options

1-DAY PASS

$180.

Property Managers & Agencies

What's included

1-day pass (23 October)
Breakfast
Coffees, Teas & Water
Buffet Lunch
Speakers slides
REGISTER NOW
This offer expires on 23/10/2025
Prices do not include VAT
2-DAY pASS

$330.

Property Managers & Agencies Managing 20+ Units

What's included

2-day pass (22-23 October)
Breakfast (both days)
Coffees, Teas & Water (both days)
Buffet Lunch (both days)
Speakers slides
REGISTER NOW
This offer expires on 22/10/2025
Prices do not include VAT

Do you have any questions? REACH OUT TO US

Scroll to Top