Snapchat Unveils Accelerator Program During 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026

Snapchat has wrapped up an extensive presence at the fourth 1 Billion Followers Summit, where the platform hosted dedicated programming for creators inside Snapchat House. Across three days in Dubai, the company concentrated on creator education, business skills and storytelling, aligning its efforts with the summit’s focus on the global content creator economy.

The 1 Billion Followers Summit, held from 9 to 11 January 2026, was organised by the UAE Government Media Office under the theme ‘Content for Good’. The event took place at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, DIFC, and the Museum of the Future, drawing participants from across the Middle East and worldwide.

Within the summit venue, Snapchat House hosted 20 sessions, workshops and panel discussions tailored for creators. These sessions aimed to help participants expand audiences, develop sustainable income streams and refine storytelling on Snapchat. Content covered platform features, strategic planning and practical tools for long-term growth across different types of creator businesses.

Snapchat’s flagship Snap Accelerator Program formed the core of its activity, with ten sessions guiding emerging creators through each phase of their careers. In parallel, Snap School delivered four practical sessions on best practices for the platform, giving attendees step-by-step guidance on how to use Snapchat features effectively and responsibly.

The fourth 1 Billion Followers Summit operated on a large scale, with more than 580 sessions and specialised networks. Over 15,000 content creators and influencers attended, alongside more than 500 expert speakers, whose combined social media following exceeded 3.5 billion. The gathering also brought together over 150 CEOs and global experts, attracting more than 30,000 visitors.

Snapchat, 1 Billion Followers Summit and UAE content vision

Saeed Al Eter, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Projects and Chairman of the UAE Government Media Office, said the 1 Billion Followers Summit is continuously sharpening its vision and programmes. Al Eter noted that the goal is to develop the content industry, support talent and build deeper links with major global platforms.

Al Eter described the fourth edition of the summit as a pivotal stage in the event’s development. Al Eter also stressed how social media platforms help creators expand their businesses and influence communities, pointing to the role of emerging technologies and rising use of artificial intelligence in enabling this growth and opportunity.

Snapchat strategy at the 1 Billion Followers Summit

Antoine Challita, UAE Country Head for Snap Inc. in MENA, linked Snapchat’s presence to the UAE’s wider digital ambitions. Challita underlined the country’s role as a centre for creative and digital activity, where content makers have greater influence over culture, local narratives and how stories from the region are shaped and shared.

Antoine Challita said, "The UAE has positioned itself as a global hub for the creative and digital economy, with creators playing an increasingly important role in shaping culture and storytelling. What we’re seeing across the region is a shift toward more intentional, culturally grounded content, paired with a growing focus on building long-term value. Snapchat’s participation in the 1 Billion Followers Summit reflects our commitment to supporting this direction. Through initiatives like the Snap Accelerator Program, we focused on equipping creators with the skills, tools, and understanding needed to grow responsibly, strengthen their storytelling, and turn creativity into sustainable opportunity on Snapchat."

Snapchat expert team at the 1 Billion Followers Summit

A specialist team from Snap delivered the Accelerator sessions. Speakers included Ali Alshehri and Aya Kalouti, both Talent Partnerships Managers for MENA, along with Reem Matloub, Snap’s Content Partnerships Manager, who brings more than 17 years of digital media experience to the programme and its creator-focused curriculum.

Junior Talent Partnership Associate Mashael AlBelaihed, who concentrates on fashion and beauty creators, also took part. The line-up further included Junior Talent Partnerships team member Naif Alqumaizy, responsible for sports and travel creators, and Creator Education Senior Specialist Ahmad Fares, who leads Snap School initiatives across the MENA region.

Business sessions at the 1 Billion Followers Summit with Snapchat

Beyond skills training, several keynote talks and panels examined the business side of content creation. A fireside chat titled Breaking Through with Content looked at strategies for standing out in busy online spaces. That session featured discussions between Snapchat’s Reem Matloub and Creator Education Senior Specialist Ahmad Fares.

Another fireside conversation, Creators & Brands: Turning Connection Into Collaboration, explored how creators can partner with brands in authentic ways. The panel featured Samer Lahoud, Snap’s award-winning Head of Creative Strategy for MENA, Senior Creative Strategist for Creator Marketing Heidi Felfella, and Halo AI Co-Founder and CBO Rami Saad.

The panel Building Brands, One Snap at a Time focused on turning creator activity into real businesses. Speakers included Snapchat Client Partner Angelo Di Sotto, who has more than 18 years in digital strategy, Client Partner Mayowa Tola-Voss with 12 years in digital advertising, and Business Development Manager Shadi Abdel Malek, who has 15 years at major technology companies.

Creator storytelling at the 1 Billion Followers Summit with Snapchat

Public profile development on Snapchat was addressed in a keynote titled Building your Public Profile on Snapchat, delivered by Majd AbiAli from Snap’s EMEA Sports and Media Partnerships team. The session outlined ways to express a brand’s personality, manage presence and use Snapchat formats to connect with viewers.

The summit programme also included creator-led sessions that offered personal reflections. Comedy Over Coffee, Snapchat’s first comedy-focused creator session in MENA, presented a light take on the creator path. The event featured stand-up comedian Mohamed Helmy, a rising figure in Arabic comedy and founder of HelmyMan Events.

A more intimate fireside chat, The Female Lens: Where Authenticity Shapes Empowerment, examined how female creators build strong communities and convert creativity into opportunity. The conversation brought together content creator Sara Al Wari and Snap’s Reem Matloub, highlighting approaches to authenticity, representation and supportive audience engagement across digital platforms.

Across the three-day 1 Billion Followers Summit, Snapchat’s activities aligned with the event’s ‘Content for Good’ theme and the UAE’s broader digital media strategy. Through structured training, business discussions and creator stories, the platform contributed to ongoing efforts to professionalise content creation and strengthen the regional creator economy.

With inputs from WAM