Why I Travelled to Dubai for the 1 Billion Followers Summit — and What Creators Can Learn From It
- Scott
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Every now and then, it’s important to step away from the day-to-day, zoom out, and reconnect with the bigger picture. For me, that meant travelling from Glasgow to Dubai to attend the 1 Billion Followers Summit — a global gathering of creators, storytellers, and digital leaders shaping the future of content.
This trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity and the value I got from it was genuinely insane.
What is the 1 Billion Followers Summit?
The 1 Billion Followers Summit is a global, three-day conference that brings together some of the world’s most influential creators, storytellers, strategists, and digital entrepreneurs. It’s designed to go deeper than trends or tactics — focusing instead on the principles, frameworks, and long-term thinking that sit underneath truly great content.
This isn’t about chasing views or algorithms. It’s about understanding how creators build real influence, meaningful audiences, and sustainable creative careers at scale.
Where was it held?
This year, the summit took place in Dubai — a city that matches the ambition of the event itself.
My journey started in Glasgow and ended in the Middle East, but the real shift wasn’t geographical. It was mental. Stepping outside the usual bubble, away from familiar routines and perspectives, instantly put me in a different headspace — one that was open, curious, and ready to learn.
From the moment I landed, it was clear this wasn’t just another conference. The scale, production, and energy were on another level.
Why did I attend?
My motivation was simple: I wanted to learn from the best.
Not surface-level tips. Not “post three times a day” advice. But the thinking that sits underneath great content — the principles that apply no matter the platform, format, or algorithm changes.
As someone who’s spent years creating content and building HawkAye, I’m always looking to sharpen my craft. But just as importantly, I want to bring value back home — sharing insights with other creators, brands, and communities in Scotland and beyond.
This trip was about perspective. Growth. And reminding myself why I started creating in the first place.
Who did I see?
Across the three days, I listened to speakers and creators from all over the world, each bringing their own approach to storytelling, audience building, and digital growth.
What stood out wasn’t any single person — it was the range of perspectives. Different cultures, platforms, and creative journeys, all united by a shared commitment to building meaningful work.
The conversations outside the talks were just as powerful. Ideas sparked easily. People were open, generous, and genuinely interested in helping each other grow.
My key learnings
If I had to sum up the biggest takeaway from the summit, it would be this: mindset matters more than tactics.
Yes, there were practical insights — but the strongest message running through the event was about:
Long-term thinking over quick wins
Authenticity over optimisation
Community over vanity metrics
Creating work that resonates, not just performs
The biggest one for me - Teach=Reach
Being surrounded by that many ambitious, creative people in one place is hard to describe. It’s energising in the best possible way — the kind of environment that pushes you to raise your own standards.
A closing moment I won’t forget
The closing ceremony genuinely blew me away.
A full-scale production featuring drones, fireworks, and a show that felt less like the end of a conference and more like a global celebration of creativity. It perfectly captured the spirit of the summit — bold, inspiring, and unapologetically ambitious.
Final thoughts
This trip gave me fresh perspective, renewed energy, and a lot to think about — not just for my own content, but for how I help others tell their stories too.
If the summit is on again next year, I’ll absolutely be back.
If you’re interested in content creation, social media, storytelling, or simply seeing what happens when creators from all over the world come together, I hope the video gives you a small taste of what the experience was like.
You can watch my full youtube video here 👇
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