ArabCon Check-in & Security Instructions
Dear ArabCon Attendees,
We are delighted to welcome you to ArabCon 2025, taking place from September 25 to 28, 2025, at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, Michigan.
This year’s conference promises to be a powerful gathering, featuring high-profile speakers who will address pressing issues impacting our community and celebrate our culture through engaging discussions, performances, and exhibitions.
Vendors / Exhibitors: Please note your exhibitor payment does not include access to the conference panels, Layali event, or the banquet. Please purchase access via the website (use code MI20 for a 20% discount) or purchase while on site.
To ensure the comfort, accessibility, and safety of all attendees and speakers, we kindly ask you to review the following guidelines carefully:
Event Locations:
Thursday, September 25: Welcome Reception – 6:00 pm
- Location: Henry Ford Centennial Library.
- Reception and viewing of the film, The Encampments, with a conversation between Watermelon Pictures CEO Hamza Ali and Mahmoud Khalil. (Seating is limited)
Friday, September 26: ArabCon begins!!
- Location: The Ford Community & Performing Arts Center
- Registration opens at 8:30 am with breakfast available at 9:00 am.
- Welcoming Remarks begin at 9:30 am, and panels will end at 4:30 pm.
- Layali ArabCon will open doors at 6:00 pm, and the show will commence at 7:00 pm
Saturday, September 27: ArabCon Day 2!!
- Location: The Ford Community & Performing Arts Center
- Registration opens at 8:30 am with breakfast available at 9:00 am.
- Panels begin at 10:00 am
- Banquet event: Bint Jebail Cultural Center: Doors open at 7:00 pm.
- All attendees will have open seating at the banquet.
- General open seating is at the tables that DO NOT have a sign
- Please refrain from sitting on reserved tables, as you will be asked to move.
Sunday, September 28: ArabCon Day 3!!
- Location: The Ford Community & Performing Arts Center
- Registration opens at 8:30 am with breakfast available at 9:00 am.
- Panels begin at 10:00 am
- ArabCon ends at 2:30 pm. Thank you for joining us!
The detailed program can be found at: https://arabcon.org/program/
Security Procedures (please read thoroughly)
Given today’s realities, we are taking additional steps to provide a safe and secure experience for everyone:
Arrival & Credentials: Please arrive during designated times to obtain your registration credentials and information packets. Credentials must be with you at all times and be visible.
- Registration opens at 8:30 am each day through 5:00 pm
- Layali ArabCon doors open at 6:00 pm for security and registration – you can always come earlier in the day to obtain your credentials.
- The Layali ArabCon show will begin at 7 pm.
- Ensure early arrival to get through security and check in. General seating is open.
Bag Policy: Attendees may bring small purses/bags only.
- Please refrain from bringing large purses and tote bags.
- All bags will be searched before entry into the theater space.
- To help expedite check-in, please keep items to a minimum.
- Bizsouk purchases will also be subject to search if you are entering the theater hall with them.
Security Screening: All registered attendees will be required to stand in line and pass through a metal detector screening upon entry.
- No weapons, knives, or flammables are allowed. Please do not enter with items, or they will be taken and not returned.
- Please bear with us and arrive early to enter and get through security so you may enter the theater and choose your seat.
- Ongoing Presence: Security personnel will be stationed throughout the exterior and interior of the venue for the duration of the weekend to ensure safety and accessibility.
- Restroom/vendor visits: Please note if you leave the theater, you will have to return through security screening to re-enter.
We greatly appreciate your cooperation with these procedures, which are designed to create a safe and welcoming environment for all.
BizSouk Vendor Market & Food Options
The BizSouk vendor area will feature an incredible selection of shops where you can purchase unique gifts and items.
Between sessions, we encourage you to enjoy a coffee and connect with friends at the Haraz Coffee shop on-site, or savor meals and snacks from our diverse food vendors, and our catering company, Divine Dine Detroit, which will provide breakfast and lunch during the weekend to registrants.
The Ford City Cafe is located in the facility, and you can purchase additional snacks, drinks (hot and cold), and food items there.
Layali ArabCon Event
Our highly anticipated evening program will feature Zeteo’s Mehdi Hasan and Bassem Youssef filming their show, “We’re not kidding,” for broadcast. The evening also features performances from renowned artists Dana Salah, Eddy Mack, Usama Baalbaki, and Michael Ibrahim.
To preserve the experience:
Registration & Badge: Registration will open daily at 8:30 am.
- You MUST be registered through the ArabCon website and receive a BADGE upon visiting the registration desk.
- Please DO NOT lose your badge. This badge MUST be worn at all times and be visible during the conference and throughout the event spaces.
- The badge serves as your identification for entry to the theater and banquet hall.
- If you do not have your badge on and visible, you will be denied entry into the theater and the banquet.
- No smoking, vaping, or electronic cigarettes will be allowed on and in the premises. Those wishing to smoke must exit the building.
Food & Drinks: Food, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed into the theater.
- Please kindly place all trash items in the nearby trash bins.
- We ask you to be mindful and dispose of your trash when exiting the building.
Doors & Seating: Doors will open on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Seating is limited, so please arrive early.
- Registration will begin daily at 8:30 am. You can come and pick up your badge at any time.
- Friday evening, Layali doors will open at 6:00 pm. Please come early to get through security.
- All events in the theater will require you to pass through security and have your badge visibly displayed on you.
- If you exit the theater, you will have to re-enter through security.
Bag Checks: Limited items are strongly encouraged.
- All bags will be inspected by security upon entry into the theater and banquet hall.
Timing: The program will begin promptly.
- Once the “We’re not Kidding” show starts, doors will be closed for one hour to avoid disruptions during the Mehdi Hasan and Bassem Youssef filming.
- Respect & Conduct: Please remain mindful of noise and interruptions.
- Please do not shout out or heckle the speakers.
- Security reserves the right to remove anyone who does not comply with procedures.
Shuttle Service: (see attached shuttle schedule)
Shuttle service will be available from the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, the Henry Autograph Collection, the Residence Inn Marriott, Springhill Suites, and Holiday Inn Express Dearborn locations on Mercury Dr. off the Southfield Expressway.
