How many times have we sat in a bar and magically come up the next 'big idea', only for it to avaporate along with the last drop of vino in your glass! 

In this week's EventNewsDXB, we sit down with Adam Parry, Co-Founder of Event Industry News and Event Tech Live about ignoring all the 'nay-sayers' and turning that 'big idea' into not just one, but two profitable businesses. 

Adam unpacks some of t...

When Tammy Urwin swapped dreams of the auctioneer’s gavel for a Lapland winter as Santa’s assistant, little did she realise it would be great training for her future career in the event industry!

In this weeks episode of EventNewsDXB, Urban Events director Tammy Urwin, joins me to unpack how she wound up doing “experiential” before it had a name and how she designs her events for emotion and memory over format. We also talk zero-was...

When Adam Griffiths packed a bag and followed his brother to Dubai he didn’t plan on founding an event agency. However, fatherhood and a hard look at what “trust” means in this market, pushed him to launch Enigma, built on a simple promise: do what you say you’ll do.

In this week’s episode of EventNewsDXB, Adam draws a clear line between live events and experiential and why the win isn’t footfall, it’s connection. He shares how his ...

When Ben McDonald returned to Dubai to join Purple Glow, he wasn’t chasing shiny objects or the flashiest tech. He was chasing meaning.

In this episode of EventNewsDXB, Ben shares why success in event technology isn’t about who has the biggest screens, it’s about creating moments that truly connect. For him, the metrics are simple: engagement, dwell, conversation.

He also talks about designing self-guided brand journeys, using data t...

What happens when you set out to “just see who comes through the door” and end up building one of Asia’s most influential event companies?

In this episode of EventNewsDXB, I talk with Jasper Donat, co-founder and CEO of Branded, about his 30-year journey from Star TV in Hong Kong to creating the All That Matters conference and festival in Singapore. Jasper reflects on the wild early days of Asian events, the evolution of his company...

James Mistry: Pulling Back The Curtain On Event Safety. 

This week on EventNewsDXB, we sit down with James Mistry, founder of JAM Event Services, for an unfiltered conversation about the realities of event safety and staffing in the Middle East. 

From the chaotic beginnings of Dubai’s early event scene to Expo 2020’s game-changing legacy, James shares candid insights into why event safety is now seen as essential. Plus he offers his ...

When Vicki Galloway-Place swapped her UK classroom for the high-stakes world of events, she stepped into a career that would push her creativity, leadership and resilience to the limit. In this episode of EventNewsDXB, Vicki shares her journey from drama teacher to theatre director to events producer and the hard-earned lessons learned along the way.

Vicki talks candidly about the industry’s “say-yes-and-make-it-happen” culture, the...

Jon Noonan: Transforming Event Spaces - One Decibel At A Time!

From student nightclub promotions to supplying global iconic events like Wimbledon, Royal Ascot, and Formula One, John Noonan has seen many sides of the event industry. As founder of Thorns Group, he takes us behind the scenes of event logistics - where 400 staff, 15 site managers and 150 lorry movements make the difference between chaos and success.

John also introduces ...

David Balfour: Redefining Brand Experiences 

In this episode of EventNewsDXB, we sit down with David Balfour, co-founder of LightBlue and one of the pioneers of experiential marketing in the Middle East. David shares his desire to help redefine brand engagement in Dubai - shifting the focus from traditional activations to emotionally driven experiences that resonate long after the event is over.

From big and bold stunts to more intim...

Iain Morrison - Beyond Burnout: The True Cost of Event Excellence

With over 35 years in the event industry, Iain Morrison has seen the effect the industry can have on people first-hand. This week on EventNewsDXB, the founder of The Imagination Collaborative opens up about the pressures facing today’s event professionals - from resource cuts to unrealistic timelines and the silent mental health toll that comes with them.

Iain shares h...

Benoit Honnart - Inside Electra: Building a Turnkey Event Production Powerhouse.

We kick off Season 2 of EventNewsDXB with Benoit Honnart, CEO of Electra, as he pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes world of event production in the Middle East. Behind every spectacular luxury event lies a finely-tuned operation juggling impossible deadlines, creative demands, and logistical nightmares. 

With manufacturing facilities spanning 53,0...

🎙️ This week on the EventNewsDXB podcast, we’re joined by Rudi Buchner, co-founder of Three Monkeys, whose journey from a 10-year-old cable runner at a Pope’s visit in Bavaria to one of Dubai’s most innovative event producers is nothing short of remarkable.

⛑️ When the pandemic brought the industry to a halt, Rudi and his team didn't just pivot - they reimagined what virtual events could be. By applying broadcast-level product...

Rob Statham & Jake Smith: Behind the Pit Wall - F1 And The Power Of Experiential Marketing

🚦 This week, we’re going full throttle into the world of Formula One with Rob Statham  and Jake Smith from The Events House, the creative minds behind some of the most memorable fan zone activations on the global F1 calendar. 

From setting up Giant Jenga at local events to building 4D cinemas for Aramco in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, their j...

Mohammad Al Shehhi: The Emirati Who Quit His Day Job To Start A Wrestling Revolution

What happens when a young Emirati decides to ditch his conventional career path and dive headfirst into the high-flying world of professional wrestling? This week on EventNewsDXB, we're talking to Mohammed Al Shehhi, known to fans as "Shaheen" (Arabic for falcon), who traded 9-5 and office politics for suplexes and theatrical combat.​

...

Paul Berger: Built To Impress with Arena Events Group CEO

In this episode, Paul Berger, CEO of Arena Events Group, shares his journey from the advertising world of 1990s Dubai to leading one of the world’s premier event infrastructure companies. From launching the city’s first indoor karting facility to developing Dubai Autodrome and scaling Arena globally, Paul has played a pivotal role in shaping the event landscape.

...

EventNewsDXB - Ep. 8 - Amy Morris: Building Creativity And Innovation In The Entertainment Industry.

In this episode of EventNewsDXB, host Ian Carless sits down with Amy Morris, CEO of PopUp Global, to discuss her journey from cruise ship performer to entertainment entrepreneur. 

Amy shares how a Disney cease-and-desist notice led her to pivot her UK-based business, eventually winning a major cruise line contract. She reflects on nav...

EventNewsDXB Ep. 07 Mike Wain: Thriving & Surviving - Balancing Business & Well-Being

EventNewsDXB is supported by Warehouse Four - Dubai's best independent event venue.

Join host Ian Carless and seasoned event professional, Mike Wain, as he shares his insights on Dubai’s ever-evolving event industry and the challenges of entrepreneurship. 

It's a candid discussion that shed's light on the rise and fal...

EventNewsDXB Ep. 6 - Maxine English: A Maverick's Journey From Dubai To The West End

EventNewsDXB is supported by Warehouse Four - Dubai's best independent event venue.

What if you could bring some of Dubai's 'anything's possible' attitude to the heart of London's iconic West End? That's exactly what this week's guest did! Join host Ian Carless as he sits down with Maxine English, the mave...

EventNewsDXB Ep.5 - Ean Thorley: From MTV to Mega Events! A 30-Year Journey in Entertainment.

EventNewsDXB is supported by Warehouse Four - Dubai's best independent event venue.

In this episode, Ean Thorley, founder of Whatever Live, talks to EventNewsDXB host, Ian Carless, about his journey from MTV intern to Executive Producer of some of the world’s biggest music award shows. From launching MTV Asia, Hong Kong and Ch...