Mastercard Leadership Assembly
September 5th to 8th | Milan, Italy
Mastercard Leadership Assembly
September 5th to 8th | Milan, Italy
Welcome to Milan
We look forward to welcoming you to our 2025 Mastercard Leadership Assembly in Milan.
This edition will bring together Mastercard’s senior leaders and regional executives to explore how we can embrace change in a dynamic world. Set against the high-performance backdrop of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, this gathering is designed to inspire bold thinking, foster collaboration, and accelerate our shared ambition.
Our agenda includes a curated line-up of speakers—featuring global experts and Mastercard’s leadership team—who will explore the innovations, and synergies shaping the future of our business. From economic outlooks to AI-driven transformation, we will examine how to lead with intent and impact in an ever-evolving landscape.
As part of the experience, we will host priceless moments at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, including access to the McLaren Priceless Lounge and the Grand Prix.
If you have any questions about your stay, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your program hosts or Mastercard contacts listed in this pack.
We look forward to seeing you in Milan as we chart the future—together.
Best regards,
Adam Jones
Division President,West Arabia,Mastercard
J.K. Khalil
Division President,East Arabia,Mastercard
Ahmed A Karim
EVP, Marketing and Communications, EEMEA, Mastercard
Adam Jones
Division President,West Arabia,Mastercard
J.K. Khalil
Division President,East Arabia,Mastercard
Ahmed A Karim
EVP, Marketing and Communications, EEMEA, Mastercard
Itinerary
Day 1 Friday, 05 September
- Arrivals & car service to hotel
- 19:30 – Welcome dinner at Westin Palace Hotel
Day 2 Saturday, 06 September
- 07:00 – Breakfast at the hotel
- 08:30 – Mastercard Leadership Assembly business sessions
- 12:30 – Transfer to Autodromo Nazionale Monza
- 13:30 – Paddock Garage Tour
- 16:00 – Qualifications
- 19:00 – Transfer to the hotel
Day 3 Sunday, 07 September
- 07:00 – Breakfast at hotel
- 08:30 – Mastercard Leadership Assembly business sessions
- 11:00 – Transfer to Autodromo Nazionale Monza
- 15:00 – Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio D’Italia 2025
- 19:00 – Transfer to hotel
Day 4 Monday, 08 September
- Breakfast
- Departures
Business Agenda
- All event sessions will be held in Verdi Meeting room, Lobby level, Westin Palace Hotel
Saturday, September 6, 2025
- Registration
- Opening Remarks: Rewriting the Future Together
- Global Shifts and Regional Opportunity
- Economic Outlook 2025: Signals, Shocks & Strategy
- Keynote: The Future is Now – Leading Through Transformation
- Speaker: Joe DiVanna, Islamic finance, banking innovation, and Middle East strategy
- Coffee Break
- Decoding the Digital Consumer
- Priceless in Action
- Closing by Emcee
- Freshen-Up Break
- Departure to Autodromo Nazionale Monza
- Bilateral Meetings at McLaren Priceless Lounge
Sunday, September 7, 2025
- Registration
- Opening Remarks
- Addressing our challenges with AI
- The Future of Payments – From Invisible to Intelligent
- Trust, Tech & Tomorrow – Building for What’s Next
- Closing Remarks
- Coffee & Freshen-Up Break
- Departure to Autodromo Nazionale Monza
- Bilateral Meetings at McLaren Priceless Lounge
Speakers
About Milan
Welcome to Milan—a city where the past and future walk side by side.
From the intricate spires of the Duomo to the sleek towers of Porta Nuova, Milan is a place where centuries of artistry and architecture meet the pulse of modern innovation. It’s a city that doesn’t just preserve its legacy—it reinvents it.
As Italy’s capital of fashion, finance, and design, Milan is constantly evolving. It’s home to global brands, visionary thinkers, and a culture that celebrates both refinement and reinvention. The city’s streets echo with history, yet its energy is unmistakably forward-looking—reflected in its creative industries, culinary scene, and bold urban transformation.
Whether it’s the elegance of its historic districts, the inspiration of its design culture, or the momentum of its business landscape, Milan offers a setting that is as dynamic as it is timeless.
Arrivals
From the Airport
You will arrive at Milan Malpensa Airport, where a member of the Hospitality Team will welcome you in the arrivals hall following passport control and baggage claim.
Kindly make yourselves known to the team and follow their guidance. They are aware of your arrival time, and in the event of any flight delays, we will do our best to adjust accordingly.
For travellers flying with Emirates Airlines, please proceed directly to the Emirates Chauffeur Desk upon arrival, where you will be assisted.
Depending on traffic conditions, the journey to the Westin Palace Hotel will take approximately 30 minutes.
Arrivals
From the Airport
You will arrive at Milan Malpensa Airport, where a member of the Hospitality Team will welcome you in the arrivals hall following passport control and baggage claim.
Kindly make yourselves known to the team and follow their guidance. They are aware of your arrival time, and in the event of any flight delays, we will do our best to adjust accordingly.
For travellers flying with Emirates Airlines, please proceed directly to the Emirates Chauffeur Desk upon arrival, where you will be assisted.
Depending on traffic conditions, the journey to the Westin Palace Hotel will take approximately 30 minutes.
Piazza della Repubblica 20, 20124 Milan, Italy.
Located in the heart of Milan’s Porta Nuova district, the Westin Palace Milan is a five-star hotel that blends classical elegance with contemporary comfort. With its iconic red marble façade and recently renovated interiors, the hotel offers a refined setting for both rest and inspiration.
Check-in & Room Reservation
Hotel Check-in is 3:00PM. Rooms might not be ready in case of early arrival. We’ll do our best to accommodate you but appreciate your patience in case the hotel needs time to get it.
Hotel rooms are booked for single use. If you have a person sharing with you, additional charges will apply and added to your room balance for you to kindly settle upon checkout. Please let the team know in advance to ensure availability.
Arrival
Upon arrival, another Mastercard hostess will welcome guests at a Mastercard dedicated welcome desk in the lobby of the Westin Palace Hotel.
Priceless Experience
Set in the lush parklands just outside Milan, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza is more than a racetrack—it’s a proving ground for performance, precision, and bold decision-making. Built in 1922 and revered as one of the fastest circuits in Formula 1, Monza is affectionately known as La Pista Magica—The Magic Track.
With cars on full throttle for nearly 80% of the lap and reaching speeds over 350 km/h on the 1.1 km main straight, Monza is a masterclass in velocity and control. Drivers must navigate a series of high-speed straights and tight chicanes, demanding not only technical excellence but also strategic foresight.
Event Information
Transport, Ticketing and Circuit Information
Transportation
Guests are to meet at the lobby of the hotel at the indicated time each day for organised transfers to the circuit and back
Departure on Saturday, September 6th: 12h30 (Meeting at the Lobby at 12h00)
Departure on Sunday, September 7th: 11h00 (Meeting at the Lobby at 10h45)
Circuit Address
Autodromo Nazionale Monza – Viale di Vedano, 5, 20900 Monza MB, Italy
Paddock Club Ticket
Paddock Club ticket will be given each day prior departing to circuit
Event FAQs
Paddock Club offers live cooking stations for the duration of the day. These usually open around 11:30am and will run for around 5 hours. Once the live cooking stations have closed, the club lounge has a range of snacks such as pizza available.
While the Paddock Club building at the Italian Grand Prix is inside, certain activities such as Pit Lane Walks and Garage Tours are outdoors and therefore, we recommend wearing suitable attire for the weather.
Inside the Paddock Club building, guests can take photos. Inside the McLaren garage, photography is not allowed.
The Monza Paddock Club has open side terraces for viewing. Additionally, there will be screens throughout Paddock Club so you can watch the action unfold.
Small bags are allowed at track, however it cannot exceed the following dimensions: Height: 22.8 cm (9 in) / Length: 45.7 cm (18 in) / Depth: 25.4 cm (10 in). Please note, there is no luggage/bags storage available.
Smart casual attire is recommended, and we ask that you do not wear open toe shoes. We would also recommend not wearing any merchandise/kit from other teams, these are also prohibited in the McLaren Garage during any experiences.
Tickets are physical lanyards per day and must be worn around your neck at all times. At various points, tickets will be checked in order to access the circuit. On arrival to Paddock Club, guests will also receive a wristband.
Guests will receive a gift from the McLaren gifting station within the Priceless Lounge. Please note, sizes are first come, first serve.
Prohibited items include alcohol, animals, items posing safety risks such as firearms, knives or other weapons, fireworks, flares, lasers or balloons, any commercial or promotional material, drones or similar style aircraft, musical instruments, professional filming or photography, chairs, stools (other seating devices), public address equipment, prams, strollers or any large items that don't fit under a seat, rollerblades, skateboards, hoverboards, bicycles, scooters, umbrellas and large backpacks, illegal items or substances, and any additional items that is deemed inappropriate. (this list is not exhaustive)
Social media posting from the F1 venue is not permitted. This includes photos, videos, and any content captured on-site. The restriction is in place to comply with Formula 1’s content ownership and brand protection policies.
Departure
Hotel Checkout
Your check out should be completed before 12:00pm at the hotel reception. It is at the check out that you will be kindly asked to pay for your possible extras.
Transfer to the Airport
A Mastercard car will take you to the airport 3 hours before your flight to ensure a smooth return back home.
The planning has been done in such a way to allow you to catch your plane safely and on time, even in case of unforeseen events such as traffic jams.
Additional information
Dress Code
- Business Session: Smart Casual
- Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio D’Italia 2025 : Smart Casual, comfortable closed-toed footwear advised as periods of walking are required.
Important Documentation
Next to your hotel key, it is important to have your national ID card or passport on you at all times, especially during highly monitored international events.
Climate Information
The weather in Monza in September is mildly cool and humid but cool, with average highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C
Special Requests
If you have any special requests (e.g. dietary requirements), please specify them beforehand. We will do our very best to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible. If you have restricted mobility, disabilities, special needs or care requirements, you should specify it as well so that we can make a full assessment.
Additional information
Dress Code
- Business Session: Smart Casual.
- Italian Grand Prix : Smart Casual, comfortable closed-toed footwear advised as periods of walking are required.
Important Documentation
Next to your hotel key, it is important to have your national ID card or passport on you at all times, especially during highly monitored international events.
Climate Information
The weather in Monza in September is mildly cool and humid but cool, with average highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C.
Special Requests
If you have any special requests (e.g. dietary requirements), please specify them beforehand. We will do our very best to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible. If you have restricted mobility, disabilities, special needs or care requirements, you should specify it as well so that we can make a full assessment.
FAQs
The venue staff will manage any emergencies in the hotel and you should follow their directions. You are advised to familiarize yourself with the emergency exit routes
Hotel check-in is generally at 3:00pm. If you arrive at your hotel before the official check-in time and your room is not available, you will be able to leave your luggage at the Mastercard welcome desk or reception. Unfortunately, early check-ins and late checkouts may not be possible during the weekend.
All guests should check out of their rooms in the morning of departure by 12:00 latest. Please settle any personal hotel costs when you check out.
A general Wi-Fi is available for free in the hotel. However, you may need to reconnect every 24h.
It is forbidden to smoke inside the hotel.
Your passport or ID is indispensable when you travel, and also when you will be in Italy; you might be asked to show it at some point. Don’t forget your phone and computer chargers if you want to be reachable at any time. In case you are currently following any medical treatment, make sure you bring all the medicines you need.
Every care is taken to ensure your dietary requirements and food allergies are catered for. Please note that you should only advise us of specific dietary needs, not personal preferences or likes and dislikes.
All meals stated within the program itinerary are provided as part of your experience, starting upon arrival at the hotel until breakfast on your departure date. However, you will have to pay for all extra food & beverages that are not included in the itinerary, or menu from the restaurants, snacks, drinks at the hotel bar or mini bar in the room, room service or in the streets during your free time.
It is not possible to divulge the different menus that the chefs will prepare for you. If you have any dietary restriction, you can advise us of your dietary requirements and any restrictions during the registration process.
The currency in Italy is Euros, and all major credit and debit cards are widely accepted. ATMs (cash dispensers) are in banks, post offices, train stations, supermarkets and other public places.
If you want to modify your schedule or skip some activities, please inform us and check with us for the feasibility of your request.