The inaugural Qatar Social event saw more than 200 digital and social media experts, startups, panelists, bloggers, Instagrammers, YouTubers, presenters, and participants from across the country convene in a community gathering fostering dialogue, insight and collaboration.

Held at Qatar Museums Gallery Al Riwaq, the event broke new ground in uniting the nation’s diverse digital media community towards a common goal — collaboration, dialogue, and supporting new formats of content creation.

Much more than a networking event, Qatar Social was a platform to affect dialogue and discussion surrounding the impact of digital media on traditional methods of information gathering, and for established entities and grassroots individuals and organisations to meet and collaborate.

Hosted and moderated by I Love Qatar Network’s (ILQ) Founder and CEO Khalifa Saleh Al Haroon, the event kicked off with a panel discussion on ‘Old and New Media in the GCC Dispute’ with distinguished panelists HE Sheikh Saif Al Thani, Qatar’s Director of the Government Communications Office (GCO), Dima Khatib, Managing Director of AJ+, and Elizabeth Linder, Founder & CEO of The Conversational Century.

The discussion touched upon the impact of fake news in the ongoing GCC dispute, the power of social media in global crises, and the importance of instant communication in fast-moving events in terms of how social media affects public opinion.

“Qatar’s citizens and its residents care deeply about the current political crisis so it was great to be given the opportunity to provide some insight and explain some of the measures being taken by the government.” said Sheikh Saif, saying Qatar was currently working towards implementing a more flexible media law.

He also said the GCO was working on the establishment of a media hub in Qatar, with more details to be announced soon.

The discussion was followed by presentations from digital media startups from the Qatar Business Incubation Center. Representatives from Qommunication, Sky Climbers, and Thaqafa took the stage to share their creative entrepreneurial vision. 

The presentation was followed by an exclusive teaser trailer for the new Qatar-produced sci-fi television series Medinah, coming soon to screens across the country.

There were also a number of prizes and giveaways for attendees. 

Qatar Social’s top prize of ‘Survivor Kit’ — a luxurious staycation complete with spa treatment at the Shangri-La Hotel Doha — went to local fashion and beauty blogger Dani Canduco.

The second panel of the evening discussed issues surrounding ‘The Future of Content in Qatar’ and how media organisations have adapted to new trends in social media and digital practices, along with what’s next on the horizon for Qatar’s digital luminaries.

Taking part in it was Al Haroon, Amith Sequeira, Country Manager of Zomato Qatar, local comedian and content creator Hamad Al Amari, aka ‘The Qatari Guy’, Bilal Randeree, CEO of Qatar Living, and Ola Diab, Digital Media Executive, BQ Magazine.

Wrapping up the evening’s events was a ‘Floor Is Yours’ segment encouraging participants to take the stage to present themselves and speak on the topics that affect them most in the realm of digital content.

“Qatar Social exceeded all expectations we could’ve had for an event like this — which has never been done before in Qatar,” stated Al Haroon. 

Qatar Social will return next year.