Stephane Tomczak designed DELIVER around a clear principle — only senior decision-makers in the room.

The result was a laser-focused agenda centred on retail and supply chain transformation. Over two days, more than 500 one-to-one meetings took place, each pre-arranged and prepared in advance.

This structure ensured that conversations were commercially relevant, solution-oriented and grounded in real operational priorities.

Dubai’s position as a global logistics hub made it the ideal host city.

With supply chain operations increasingly central to regional economic growth, the Middle East represents a convergence point for Europe, Asia and Africa. Retailers and logistics leaders operating in the region are navigating expansion, digitalisation and increasing performance expectations.

DELIVER created the environment for those conversations to happen at speed.

One of the most striking outcomes, according to Tomczak, was the level of engagement.

Senior supply chain leaders — many with decades of experience — demonstrated strong appetite for innovation and collaboration. Retailers arrived not simply to network, but to identify tangible solutions to bring back to their organisations.

In several cases, retailers themselves described potential partnerships as “leads” — reflecting the event’s genuine commercial value.

The event’s structured matchmaking model maximised return on time and return on investment.

Rather than informal networking, participants engaged in prepared discussions aligned to clear objectives. This disciplined approach allowed exhibitors, sponsors and retailers alike to operate with clarity and purpose.

The success of the first edition reinforces the demand for highly curated, executive-level supply chain gatherings in the region.

As supply chain resilience, speed and visibility continue shaping retail performance, platforms that bring the right stakeholders together become increasingly valuable.

DELIVER Middle East demonstrated that focused collaboration — in the right city, with the right audience — can accelerate progress across the entire retail ecosystem.