The Backdrop Podcast
The events industry is one of the world's most dynamic and influential sectors, yet the stories, ideas, challenges and innovations behind it often happen behind closed doors. This podcast opens that door. Recorded in One Central, Dubai, and released weekly in a concise 30-minute format, the show brings together the people who shape the conferences, summits, sporting events, festivals, concerts, diplomatic gatherings and major global platforms that connect industries, governments and communities. Hosted by Michael MacLennan, with production led by Dan Powell and marketing and communications managed by Elle Semine, each episode features candid conversations with some of the industry's most experienced and respected voices. From event strategy and destination development to technical production, design, décor, strategic communications, protocol, safety, security, partnerships and investment, no aspect of the event ecosystem is off limits. The podcast explores how events drive tourism, stimulate trade, attract investment and create environments where ideas are born, tested and transformed into action. Whether the focus is public sector initiatives, private sector innovation, association-led programmes or institutional gatherings, the discussion goes beyond logistics to uncover the broader impact events have on economies, industries and society. This is not a podcast about what happens on stage. It is about everything that happens before, behind and beyond it. Whether you are an event professional, policymaker, venue operator, marketer, strategist, supplier, investor or simply fascinated by how major events come to life, this is your opportunity to hear directly from the people making it happen. Every event has a story. Every expert has a perspective. Every conversation offers a new way of looking at an industry that brings the world together.
Episodes
Cosmin Ivan, CEO of Platinumlist, joins The Backdrop to explore how technology and innovation are transforming the live events industry. Under his leadership, Platinumlist has expanded across seven GCC markets and 25 countries beyond the region, established over 3,500 partnerships and surpassed 4 million mobile app downloads.
From secure mobile ticketing and dynamic QR codes to fan-to-fan resale, artificial intelligence and personal...
In Episode 17 of The Backdrop, Michael MacLennan sits down with Sean Philby, Regional Managing Director, UAE at Encore, to explore what the events industry can learn from more than 20 years spanning hospitality, customer experience, commercial strategy and international growth. Sean's career has taken him from senior leadership roles with Malmaison, Hotel du Vin and Radisson Hotel Group to Inspired Education Group, before joining E...
In this episode of The Backdrop, we sit down with Enrico Gallorini, Co-Founder and CEO of GRS Research & Strategy, author, TEDx speaker and one of the events industry’s leading thinkers on audience behaviour and experience.
We explore the intersection of data, psychology and live events, why understanding what audiences feel matters as much as what they do, and how organisations can better measure the real value of...
Simon Mellor joins The Backdrop for a conversation spanning nearly three decades at the forefront of the international events industry.
From joining dmg events as Vice President and concluding his tenure as President of the Middle East, to leading Messe Frankfurt Middle East through COVID and into record performance, Simon has built and transformed event businesses across the Middle East, Europe, Asia and the Americas.
We discuss his...
Episode 12 of The Backdrop welcomes Mark Benaicha, Founder and Managing Director of ESMOS Recruitment.
With more than 25 years across events, entertainment and recruitment, Mark has experienced the industry from multiple sides, from creating and delivering award-winning events to building teams and becoming one of the sector’s most recognised specialist recruiters.
We talk about his years in the UAE, the evolution of the Middle...
This week on The Backdrop, I’m joined by AJ Amer, Founder and CEO of AKUGGI.
With more than 18 years in the events industry, AJ’s career has taken him from FAN EXPO HQ across North America to Expo 2020 Dubai, Expo City Dubai and senior leadership roles with Richard Attias & Associates, delivering some of the world’s most ambitious live events and large-scale experiences.
Now, he’s turning his attention to ...
In Episode 14 of The Backdrop, we sit down with Christophe Draye, one of the Middle East events industry’s Top 100 Most Influential People.
Across more than 22 years, Christophe has built an international career spanning the commercial, creative and delivery sides of live entertainment, working with companies including GL Events, PRG, Filmmaster, Cirque du Soleil’s 45 Degrees and FiveCurrents.
His journey has included maj...
Episode 11 of The Backdrop welcomes Sankalp Sharma, CEO and Founder of Rayqube Technology, for a conversation about how technology continues to redefine what is possible in the events industry.
Sankalp shares his perspective on immersive experiences, innovation and the human side of technology, exploring how emerging tools can enhance audience engagement, strengthen brand storytelling and create experiences that leave a lasting impa...
This episode of The Backdrop, Michael sits down with Shams Moloo, Chief Development Officer at THA by ARMONIA, to explore the relationship between people, strategy and organisational performance.
Drawing on experience across both the public and private sectors, Shams shares his perspective on organisational transformation, building high-performing teams, and the evolving talent landscape across the Middle East.
The conversation looks...
In Episode 9 of The Backdrop, Michael sits down with Andy Fordham, Founder of ClearPath and one of the world's most experienced endurance event operations leaders. With more than 35 years of international experience and over 400 events delivered, Andy shares the realities of planning and delivering large-scale cycling, running, and city-wide endurance events.
From road closures, logistics, and stakeholder coordination to governance,...
Episode 8 of The Backdrop features Adam Parry, Founder of Event Tech Live, one of the world's leading event technology exhibitions, returning this November at ExCeL London.
Host Michael MacLennan sits down with Adam for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of event technology, AI, digital infrastructure, smart venues, accessibility, and why the biggest challenge facing the industry isn't the technology itself, but change manage...
Great events don't happen by accident—they begin with creativity, storytelling and a clear purpose.
In Episode 7 of The Backdrop, Michael MacLennan is joined by Jimi Elgohary, Executive Creative Director and Co-Founder of MISTIKA, to explore how culture, creativity and storytelling combine to create meaningful live experiences.
From his early career as the frontman of pioneering Arab indie pop band Salalem to leading award-winn...
In this episode of The Backdrop, we sit down with Stephen Wilson, Head of Events and Partnerships at Five Iron, to explore how golf is evolving far beyond the traditional course.
From premium hospitality experiences and corporate engagement to strategic partnerships and community building, Stephen shares how venues like Five Iron are redefining the role of sport in the events industry. We discuss why experiential destinations are be...
Safety is one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of delivering successful events. In this episode, Michael MacLennan is joined by Declan Meenan, Co-Founder and Director of OGMA Safety, to discuss risk management, crowd safety, operational planning and the systems that help major events run safely and efficiently. A practical conversation for event professionals responsible for creating secure, resilient and world-cla...
The business events industry plays a critical role in knowledge exchange, trade and economic growth. Anju Gomes joins the show to discuss the global meetings landscape, destination competitiveness and how associations continue to drive innovation, collaboration and international engagement.
In the Events Industry - Paul Grinnall has seen it and done it all. With more than 35 years of experience across the global events industry, Paul Grinnall joins The Backdrop to discuss the challenges, opportunities and uncertainties shaping the sector in 2026.
From market pressures and evolving client expectations to the realities of delivering successful event platforms, Paul shares practical insights on leadership, strategy and de...
Entrepreneur, innovator and industry disruptor Nadim Jamal discusses the changing landscape of experiential events, audience engagement and event technology. From launching successful ventures to creating memorable live experiences, Nadim shares lessons from building businesses at the forefront of the industry.
In our debut episode, Michael sits down with Dr. Ray Tinston to explore the evolving role of events in economic development, destination positioning and strategic stakeholder engagement. Drawing on decades of international experience, Ray shares insights into the future of major events across the Middle East and the opportunities shaping the industry's next chapter.
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