WFDSA World Congress XVII “Reimagine the Future” Convenes in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The World Federation of Direct Selling Associations’ World Congress XVII under the theme “Reimagine the Future”  is being held in Dubai from October 16-18, 2023 hosted by the DSA UAE.  The event attracted over 350 participants, including industry executives, government officials, consumer leaders, academics, and stakeholders from across the globe.

Roger Barnett, Chairman of WFDSA, expressed optimism about the industry’s potential to thrive despite the challenges of the past two years – “The past two years have highlighted the compelling need for what our industry offers. With all the volatility in the world, I believe this is the time for our industry to rise and shine. Now is the time when we can bring a more powerful and inclusive business model to the forefront of the world’s attention.”

Acknowledging the resilience of the industry, Chairman Barnett pointed out positive developments amidst the pandemic. Despite the challenges posed by the global health crisis, the direct selling industry witnessed a steady rise in global retail sales over the past three years. Sales for the year 2022 surpassed both the pre-pandemic levels of 168 billion in 2019 and the sales of 172 billion in 2020, reaching 173 billion  in 2022, showcasing a positive and upward trend.

This year’s WFDSA World Congress promises to be a platform for thought-provoking discussions, valuable insights, and collaborative efforts to steer the industry towards a prosperous and impactful future.