Dow Jones to Expand WSJ Tech Live Event to Qatar

Rhea-AI Summary

Dow Jones announced the expansion of WSJ Tech Live to Qatar through a multi-year agreement starting in late 2025. The invitation-only conference will be held annually for five years, marking its first Middle East edition while maintaining its annual California event. The Qatar conference will gather over 200 C-suite executives, investors, startups, and venture capitalists globally. The expansion aligns with Qatar's vision to become a global tech hub as outlined in their National Vision 2030. The current year's WSJ Tech Live achieved record-breaking sponsorship revenue, featuring discussions on generative AI, brain-computer interfaces, startup investments, and tech talent development.

Positive

• Record-breaking sponsorship revenue for current WSJ Tech Live event
• Strategic expansion into MENA region with guaranteed 5-year agreement
• Addition of new revenue stream while maintaining existing California event

Negative

• None.

Insights

Market Research Analyst

The expansion of WSJ Tech Live to Qatar represents a strategic positioning move rather than a direct financial catalyst. While the event generates sponsorship revenue, its primary value lies in strengthening Dow Jones' presence in the MENA region and Qatar's emerging tech ecosystem. The 5-year commitment and focus on exclusive C-suite attendance signals long-term relationship building rather than immediate financial impact.

Qatar's investment in becoming a tech hub, coupled with its successful hosting of major international events like FIFA World Cup and Web Summit, suggests strong infrastructure and financial backing for this initiative. However, the December 2025 launch timeline means any material benefits to Dow Jones or regional tech development will take time to materialize.

Exclusive tech event will convene business leaders, investors and thought leaders in 2025

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif., Oct. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dow Jones announced today the expansion of WSJ Tech Live through a multi-year agreement that will bring the marquee event to the State of Qatar starting next year. Appearing on stage at this year's event in Laguna Beach, Calif., Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of the Government Communications Office of the State of Qatar, and Almar Latour, publisher of The Wall Street Journal and CEO of Dow Jones, jointly announced that WSJ Tech Live Qatar will debut in late 2025 and take place annually for five years.

This marks the first time WSJ's most exclusive tech event will be held in the Middle East. The invitation-only conference will bring together an audience of over 200 C-suite executives, investors, innovative startups and influential venture capitalists from across the world. Dow Jones will continue to operate WSJ Tech Live annually in California while adding WSJ Tech Live Qatar to the calendar starting in December 2025.

Sheikh Jassim highlighted that the conference aligns with Qatar's vision to become a global hub for advanced technology and innovation, as outlined in the Third National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030.

"Hosting WSJ Tech Live marks another significant step in the growth of Qatar's technology ecosystem," said Sheikh Jassim. "When the world's top tech leaders gather in Qatar, it will create an unparalleled opportunity to benefit from their diverse expertise, insights and global networks. This will inspire local talent, attract international investment, and create avenues for strategic global partnerships that propel our development journey forward."

"Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal deliver reliable journalism, data, and analytics to business professionals worldwide, and to do so we must reflect the entire global business community," said Latour. "With the MENA region's growth and increased role in tech–especially at the intersection of AI and the energy sector–we are delighted to be partnering with Qatar."

Currently in its 11th year, WSJ Tech Live convenes the biggest newsmakers in technology across entertainment, music, robotics and AI, science and more. This year's marquee event is the company's most successful Tech Live since its inception, with record-breaking sponsorship revenue. The event showcased groundbreaking insights on a wide range of topics including the global impact of generative AI, the future of brain-computer interfaces, the outlook for startup investments, fostering the next generation of technology talent and how the upcoming U.S. election could impact the tech industry.

WSJ Tech Live joins a series of global events hosted in Qatar, including the FIFA World Cup™, Web Summit Qatar, Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, and Doha Forum. The event also builds on Dow Jones's existing presence in MENA, which serves as an important hub for reporting from The Wall Street Journal, and home to key sales and services functions.

About Dow Jones
Dow Jones is a global provider of news and business information, delivering content to consumers and organizations around the world across multiple formats, including print, digital, mobile and live events. Dow Jones has produced unrivaled quality content for more than 130 years and today has one of the world's largest news-gathering operations globally. It is home to leading publications and products including the flagship Wall Street Journal, America's largest newspaper by paid circulation; Barron's, MarketWatch, Mansion Global, Financial News, Investor's Business Daily, Factiva, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance, Dow Jones Newswires, OPIS and Chemical Market Analytics. Dow Jones is a division of News Corp (Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV).

About the Government Communications Office of the State of Qatar
The Government Communications Office was established in 2015 to serve as the strategic communications arm of the State of Qatar. It coordinates communications activities across government and public-sector institutions, showcasing the country's vision, initiatives and achievements in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dow-jones-to-expand-wsj-tech-live-event-to-qatar-302283657.html

SOURCE Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

FAQ

When will WSJ Tech Live Qatar launch?

WSJ Tech Live Qatar will debut in late 2025.

How many attendees are expected at WSJ Tech Live Qatar?

The conference will bring together over 200 C-suite executives, investors, startups, and venture capitalists.

How long will WSJ Tech Live be held in Qatar?

The event will take place annually in Qatar for five years, starting from 2025.

Will WSJ Tech Live continue in California?

Yes, Dow Jones will continue to operate WSJ Tech Live annually in California while adding the Qatar event to the calendar.