WORLDEF VIP Connect hosted e-commerce, retail and artificial intelligence leaders

The special networking event VIP Connect, held ahead of WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2026, hosted senior professionals from the e-commerce, retail, technology, artificial intelligence, logistics, payment systems and digital commerce ecosystems. Important cooperation meetings were held at the event, which saw strong participation.

VIP Connect was designed as a special networking event within the scope of the 10th anniversary of WORLDEF’s establishment. The event, held on June 9 at Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, brought together leading brands, investors, entrepreneurs and decision-makers from the e-commerce, retail, technology, artificial intelligence, logistics, payment systems and digital commerce sectors. Planned meetings were held at the event, which offered participants a unique environment for developing a business network. In this way, participants had the opportunity to meet one-on-one and hold business meetings with company representatives from different sectors within the designated time periods.

Ömer Nart: We have been working for this for ten years

WORLDEF CEO Ömer Nart said in his speech at the program, “Everyone, absolutely everyone, will leave here by establishing a new connection, finding a new opportunity and holding a valuable meeting, even valuable meetings. This evening is an evening where the right people meet at the right tables with the right opportunities. As WORLDEF, we have been working for this for 10 years and we bring people, brands and opportunities together.”

Abdulrahman Shahin: This is a celebration of cooperation

VIP Connect also saw senior-level participation from Dubai CommerCity, WORLDEF’s “Main Strategic Partner.” Dubai CommerCity is the first and leading free zone in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region dedicated exclusively to the digital commerce and e-commerce sector.

Abdulrahman Shahin, Senior Vice President of Operations at Dubai CommerCity, who attended the program, said in his speech, “It is a privilege to be in Istanbul, a long and historic bridge between culture and commerce. We are delighted to be part of such a dynamic global community of e-commerce and digital commerce leaders. This is a celebration of cooperation. It reflects the growing energy between Dubai and Istanbul.”

Emphasizing that Dubai Commerce City was established as an ecosystem dedicated to digital commerce, bringing together infrastructure, innovation and integrated services to empower global and regional digital commerce players, Shahin said, “WORLDEF has been a valuable partner on this journey. Together, we have been the power of this platform in encouraging dialogue, creating opportunities and accelerating industrial growth. We are delighted to hold the third WORLDEF event at Dubai CommerceCity in January 2027 and to continue this cooperation. We look forward to welcoming you in Dubai.”

Direct meetings were held on potential collaborations and commercial opportunities

Thanks to the specially designed networking format, participants established many new connections in a short time and held direct meetings on potential collaborations and commercial opportunities. The gathering of professionals from different sectors on the same platform created important opportunities in terms of new business models and strategic partnerships. VIP Connect not only strengthened existing business relations but also contributed to laying the foundations for new collaborations between companies from different sectors. Throughout the event, participants had the opportunity to evaluate current developments in the e-commerce and digital commerce ecosystem and exchange views on the future of the sector.

Collaborations were reinforced ahead of WORLDEF ISTANBUL

VIP Connect, held before the opening of WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2026, which will take place on June 11-13 at Yenikapı Event Area, became one of the most notable gatherings of the event with the high interaction and productive meeting environment it created. The organization, which attracted strong interest from participants, served as a powerful start for WORLDEF ISTANBUL, which will continue for three days. WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2026 will bring together e-commerce, retail and technology professionals from around the world.