Sharjah: The 36th edition of Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2017) will be hosting elite experts representing major technology companies operating in the fields of e-commerce, information security and social networking who will take part in its social media station at the world’s third largest book fair, which runs from November 1 to 11 at Expo Centre Sharjah.

They will talk about their expertise and experiences as well as about the latest information technology, and also discuss the role of modern information networks in today’s digital era.

For the first time in Sharjah, high-ranking officials from LinkedIn, Dubizzle and Kaspersky Lab will speak about the secrets of these sites, how they work, and the perfect way to make the most of them. Experts in the areas of online marketing, dealing with crises in digital platforms, blogging for books and publishing, and blogging about food tips, will meet visitors during the 11-day event.

Khoula Al Mujaini, Marketing Officer at Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), said: “The social media station is an innovative event that brings together reading enthusiasts, regular internet browsers and social media celebrities within SIBF’s vision to promote culture, which allows visitors to develop their knowledge in all aspects of life.”

She stressed that this year’s social media station will see a unique development represented in introducing training workshops, some of which are designated for the government staff. The new move comes in line with SIBF’s eagerness to enrich the knowledge and experience of employees at government bodies and equip them with the latest developments in the digital age and internet skills.

Among the guests is Zaid Darwazeh, Director Public Sector at LinkedIn, a social network for business people and professionals from various work sectors to connect. He will speak about how to find appropriate career opportunities through the site. He will discuss the future of building sustainable digital economies that reflect the global vision of heads of state who strive to achieve excellence in their communities by providing sustainable job opportunities to secure a better future for young people.

Also appearing at SIBF is Maya Alexander, founder and CEO of House of Social, who will present two workshops: ‘social marketing Skills on Instagram’ and ‘topics that spark public opinion on social networking sites’. During the first workshop, she will address ideas and skills that can be used in marketing products and services and even ideas via Instagram’. At the second workshop Maya will highlight the most important topics that stirred public opinion on social networking sites during this year.

Abdullah Touqan, Director of Communications and Public Relations at Dubizze and Olx Mena, leading local and Arab eCommerce websites, will highlight the most important methods of using data in expanding user base in emerging markets, how smartphones are changing marketing and shifting towards marketing through applications on smartphones.

The social media station will also host Abdul Rahman Hammad, corporate and digital communication expert, who will moderate two workshops: ‘Crisis Management in the Digital World” and ‘Housing and Work in a Bag’. He will discuss the most important basics for dealing with institutional crisis Inception across digital platforms during the first workshop. Hammad will provide answers on how social media celebrities make money while touring around the world, at the second workshop.

Ahmad Abdul Ghani, social media manager at Kaspersky Lab, a leading Mena cybersecurity company providing high-end security solutions, will hold a workshop entitled ‘how to stay safe on social networking sites?

Libyan blogger Nairuz Gherfal, who is specialised in food blogging, will speak about her experience in providing advice to followers about healthy nutrition. Also participating at SIBF 2017 will be blogger Farooq Nasim, a leading specialist in the field of blogging books in the Middle East, who works as an editor and proofreader at international publishing houses, including Penguin UK Books, A. Knopf, HMH books and FSG. He also promotes new books, and has a base of 25,000 active followers on Twitter.

The social media station is one of SIBF’s major events that enable enthusiastic audiences to learn about the latest developments in technology and technological innovations that help enhance the reality of living. It hosts an array of diverse activities and workshops involving a galaxy of social media influencers who will be addressing a number of cultural, media and social issues.