Meta and AlUla Join Forces for the First Instagram Creators Summit in MENA

Key takeaways
  • MENA’s First-Ever Instagram Creators Summit: A landmark event bringing together top creators to explore the future of content creation and social media.
  • Meta’s Focus on AI and Social Media Tools: Meta’s integration of AI capabilities to help creators maximize content engagement, monetization, and reach.
  • Cultural Heritage Meets Digital Innovation: AlUla’s unique role in preserving cultural heritage while embracing digital transformation as a hub for creativity and innovation.
  • Collaboration for Content Creators: The summit provides a platform for creators to collaborate with Meta’s product managers and learn how to optimize platform tools for greater impact.

In a landmark collaboration, Meta, the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), and Riyadh Air hosted the first-ever Instagram Creators Summit in the MENA region.

Held from April 20 to 22, 2025, this exclusive event brought together some of the world’s top content creators to AlUla, Saudi Arabia, to explore the future of content creation, the role of artificial intelligence, and the evolving trends in social media.


The Instagram Creators Summit was a significant milestone for the MENA region, showcasing the rapid growth of social media and influencer marketing in the area.

By hosting this event, Meta and its partners highlighted the importance of the creator economy in shaping how destinations and brands engage with audiences. With creators representing a combined reach of over 231 million followers globally, the summit served as a platform for sharing knowledge, building community, and exploring new opportunities for the next generation of content creators.

Meta’s Role: Empowering Creators with AI and Social Media Tools

One of the summit's central themes was Meta’s focus on empowering creators with cutting-edge tools, particularly around artificial intelligence. The event featured in-depth sessions on how AI is revolutionizing content creation, engagement, and monetization. By offering insights into optimizing social media platforms and leveraging the latest product updates, Meta’s involvement in the summit was key to helping creators stay ahead in an ever-changing digital landscape.

Creators had the chance to engage with Meta's product managers and learn directly how to enhance their social media strategies, create impactful content, and improve audience engagement, all while navigating the complexities of the evolving digital ecosystem.

AlUla: Merging Culture and Innovation

AlUla, with its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, served as the perfect backdrop for the summit. The destination, known for its 200,000-year-old history and unique landscapes, embodies the balance between preserving cultural identity and embracing digital transformation. The summit included discussions on how creators can promote authenticity while showcasing destinations through the lens of modern technology, a topic that resonated with attendees.

AlUla’s role in the summit also highlighted the importance of cultural preservation in the age of digital content creation. Speakers explored the responsibilities of creators to accurately represent the traditions and values of the places they visit while using their influence to promote sustainable tourism and cultural appreciation.

Networking, Collaboration, and Future Trends

The summit fostered collaboration among top creators, offering a unique opportunity to network and share insights on the future of social media and content creation. Attendees participated in interactive panels and Q&A sessions, which encouraged the exchange of ideas and helped creators build lasting connections.

The event also emphasized the growing importance of community building within the influencer space, with Meta’s leadership underscoring the value of creating authentic, engaged communities around content.

Throughout the summit, discussions covered the evolving role of influencers, the impact of social media trends, and the intersection of content creation with the creator economy. The summit’s focus on AI and social media tools reflected the growing importance of technology in shaping how creators interact with their audiences and monetize their content.

AlUla: A Destination for Inspiration

In addition to the informative sessions, the summit provided creators with the chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of AlUla. The curated experiences, which showcased the region’s wellness, culture, and adventure offerings, allowed attendees to deepen their connection with the destination.

Visits to luxury resorts like Habitas AlUla and Banyan Tree AlUla, along with iconic landmarks such as Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, made the summit a truly immersive and inspirational experience.

AlUla’s rich history and modern amenities provided a unique setting for creators to explore new ideas, gain fresh perspectives, and find inspiration for future content. This reinforces AlUla’s position as a global hub for culture, creativity, and innovation.

A New Era of Digital Influence in the MENA Region

The Instagram Creators Summit was a significant event for Meta, AlUla, and the MENA region as a whole. It underscored the growing importance of social media and influencer marketing in today’s digital landscape. By bringing together top content creators to discuss AI, social media strategies, and the future of the creator economy, the summit provided invaluable insights into the direction of digital content creation.

As the influencer landscape continues to evolve, events like this play a pivotal role in shaping how creators and brands engage with their audiences and contribute to a more dynamic, interconnected digital world.

About the Author
Kalin Anastasov plays a pivotal role as an content manager and editor at Influencer Marketing Hub. He expertly applies his SEO and content writing experience to enhance each piece, ensuring it aligns with our guidelines and delivers unmatched quality to our readers.