‘Upskilling’ is a term we’ve all heard a lot of over the past 18 months, with much of the industry taking the enforced hiatus from events as a time to boost staff qualifications and broaden skillsets. While some companies see this as making the best of the terrible hand that the COVID-19 pandemic has dealt the industry, for Dubai-based JAM Event Services, upskilling is – and always has been – the name of the game. “Constant learning is key for us,” commented Founder and Managing Director, James Mistry. “All of the team at JAM are continually sharpening their skills. Our…
Author: James Robertson
“You posted a Black square, now what?” stated Nadu Placca, Founder of The Zoo XYZ and now author of a new report that highlights the lack of diversity within UK event trade bodies and associations. She spoke on the eve of the release of a new report that aims to bring the conversation of diversity within the live events industry to the forefront and begin a dialogue that will lead to change that goes further than a post on social media. https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/tpmea31_digitallr/38 Photos: The ZOO XYZ www.thezoo.xyz
Standing at 46m tall with a diameter of 210m, Jeddah Super Dome is an event space of epic proportions. Claiming two Guinness World Records for the world’s largest geodesic dome and largest dome with continuous roof, the newly built arena is set to become a mainstay of the Jeddah Season events programme, hosting some of the standout concerts, sporting events and exhibitions in the Kingdom. The honour of being the first event to take place inside the world’s largest freestanding dome went to the Makkah Region Digital Projects Exhibition – a week-long showcase of the development happening in Western region…
There’s no doubt that 2020 was the hardest year we’ve ever faced. It was a year which saw us completely diversify the business and do everything we could to keep the industry going at the height of COVID-19. We brought out many new products,from disinfection tunnels to thermal scanners, which we deployed on events such as Tomorrowland Around the World. This technology proved that it was effective in order to monitor, control and minimise any spread of COVID-19. Of course, the use of this tech alone is not enough to guarantee that the disease doesn’t spread, but it showed that…
While dazzling light shows, massive LED screens and booming immersive audio systems so often take centre stage on major productions, without the rigging infrastructure – the key element from which everything else is based – there would simply be no show at all. So, with rigging such a vital aspect of any show, it makes sense that the most talented freelancers are highly sought-after. https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/tpmea28_digitallr/44 Photos: iRIG www.irigevent.com
When news broke of the catastrophic explosion at Beirut Port on 4 August 2020, Dubai-based guitarist and composer, Niki Mukhi, like many others around the world, was devastated. “It just didn’t seem real,” he commented. “It’s been a devastating year all round, but this disaster really hit home, with so many people having their homes destroyed, and businesses blown to the ground.” While the world watched on in horror as the numbers of dead or displaced continued to rise, Mukhi, whose father was born in Beirut, felt a burning desire to do whatever he could to help the ongoing humanitarian…
Celebrated every year on 2 December, UAE National Day is always a major day on the country’s events calendar. While the holiday is typically marked with a massive live production attended by thousands, with mass gatherings off the table under the current circumstances, this year’s show was a very different proposition. Conceived by Artistic Director and Designer, Es Devlin and produced by LarMac PROJECTS, the UAE 49th National Day Show took the form of a kinetic illuminated sculpture installed in the Abu Dhabi Mangroves. Themed Seeds of the Union and enriched by an incredible team of local artists and collaborators,…
It’s fair to say that 2020 was a hellish year for most people – not least for those in the live events industry. While stripped-back shows and living room livestreams have at least provided some sustenance in this most sparse of years, since the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March, in truth, there has been precious little in the way of genuine large-scale live events, with top-end production values to match. However, as legendary US rock band KISS took to the stage at Dubai’s Atlantis The Palm just a couple of hours prior to midnight on 31 December, all that changed.…
Ever since the global pandemic slammed the breaks on the UAE’s previously thriving events industry, professionals throughout the sector have been racking their brains to come up with a way of getting live events back up and running in a safe and secure manner. One such industry authority who has been relentless in his pursuit of a safe return to events is Dan Bolton, Owner and Director of Dan Bolton Creative Management Agency. https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/tpmea27_digitallr/22 Photos: Hyku Photography / Breakout Dxb www.3db-dxb.com www.danbolton.me www.gallowglasshs.com
In normal circumstances, the launch of a new car isn’t something that would necessarily get our pulse racing. However, when a car launch comes in the form of a stunning 33,000 sq m light show on the façade of the Burj Khalifa, combined with a unique drive-in concept featuring a huge LED screen and a 200m drone show… Well, it’s safe to say that our interest is well and truly piqued. https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/tpmea27_digitallr/30 Photos: Done Events www.ao-technology.com www.doneevents.com www.gtv.ae www.mediapro-av.com
While companies and individuals across the globe were feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the untimely passing of Gulf Crewing Founder, Nigel Beaton, sent shockwaves throughout the industry and beyond. A hugely popular and influential character, Nigel left behind not only a well-established company in Gulf Crewing (GCC), but also a loving family. Keen that her husband’s outstanding legacy should be continued – and with a long and successful career in the industry in her own right to draw experience from – Karen Beaton is confident that she is the woman to take the company forward. https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/tpmea27_digitallr/18 Photos: Gulf…
The UAE events sector has been hit hard by the colossal loss in revenue caused by the pandemic. Originally, we thought the timing could have been worse; although we lost the end of what was a successful events season for most, we were not so far away from the quiet summer months where all of us budget for little to no turnover for two or three months anyway. Things will be back to normal by September, we thought… However, the bleak reality is that COVID-19 has taken and continues to take a large bite out of the 20/21 season, as…
