Dubai’s Future Blockchain Summit, hosted by the Smart Dubai Office in partnership with the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), will open its doors to the public tomorrow [TUESDAY] – launching the second annual edition of the region’s most influential event dedicated to the growing online ledger.

Taking place April 2 and 3 at DWTC, Future Blockchain Summit will host the region’s largest gathering of blockchain experts, implementing blockchain to lift the veil on the technology, focusing on the countless ways that it is altering industries and delivering multi-billion dollar opportunities for the international blockchain industry, which is expected to grow to be worth US$20 billion by 2024[i].

The focus of the Summit is on real-world implementation – delivered through high end content tracks dedicated to sectors identified as ripe for disruption by blockchain. Sectors include – real-estate, retail, healthcare, transport and supply chain, government, education, tourism, energy, creative economies, finance and marketing.

Unpacking blockchain through live, interactive experiences and expert-led discussion

At 2018’s debut Future Blockchain Summit, 76% of visitors admitted attending with the sole purpose of trying to understand what blockchain is. This year, over 170 speakers will seek to demystify and unpack the technology – all in the presence of 65+ exhibiting startups, businesses and governments from a combined 130 countries.

The Summit will feature the world’s first ‘City of the Future’ experience of a city built on blockchain through an exploratory interactive journey of a typical life on the blockchain, and will host Smart Dubai’s official Blockchain Challenge and the PwC orchestrated Global Leaders Exchange.

Home to the biggest names in tech and global business

The Summit will have no less than six live conference stages, which will be home to many of the most talked about names in technology. Confirmed international speakers include Shark Tank panelist and the world’s first Bitcoin Oracle, Vinny Lingham; Brent Wilton Global Head of Workplace Rights, Coca Cola who launched a blockchain programme with the US State Department to ensure Coca Cola’s vast supply chain abides by its human rights policy; rebel, explorer and tech pilgrim, Phil Chen – the man responsible for the world’s first native Blockchain phone, Exodus 1, and currently the Decentralised Chief Officer at HTC; and Abdel Mageed Yahia, the Director of the World Food Programme, who pioneered a blockchain application to reduce world hunger.

Market leading content with real use cases from leading brands including Tencent, Johnson & Johnson, Maersk, HSBC, eBay, FedEx and Lufthansa will bring blockchain to life, while UAE-based entities including du, Dubai Land Department, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Dubai Health Authority and Finablr will also be displaying their blockchain innovations.

Workshops, dedicated industry seminars and the Summit’s debut Asia Forum

Free-to-attend Blockchain 101 workshops will be offered in both English and Arabic throughout the summit as well as workshops on using Design Thinking methodology to solve challenges on the blockchain. The workshops will provide easy-to-follow beginner’s level information on blockchain technology with a mix of classroom education, collective sessions, and examining relevant use cases.

In addition, and for the first time, Future Blockchain Summit 2019 will host the Asia Forum, bringing together various thought leaders from across the globe to share their views on Asia as a hotbed for blockchain innovation. Future Blockchain Summit will also host the BlockHealth Summit, organised by Patientory, aimed at leading the discussion on blockchain adoption in the healthcare industry.

Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Events Management, Dubai World Trade Centre, said: “Future Blockchain Summit once again offers an incredible opportunity to interact with international blockchain pioneers and innovative industry luminaries. Our du-powered City of the Future is a world-first innovation designed to offer the most genuine, immersive experience of how a city and society would work on the blockchain – a reality only a year away now as Dubai races towards its 2020 target of becoming the first city fully powered by blockchain.

“Along with our official host, Smart Dubai, we are excited to open the doors to the Summit’s highly-anticipated second annual gathering, and solidify its position as the world’s most influential blockchain event.”