Trade shows and industry events are great for catching up with a large number of contacts in a short space of time, but when it comes to truly showcasing a company’s capabilities or connecting with people on a deeper level than simply swapping pleasantries, they aren’t the optimal environment. “Visitors may only spend a few minutes on a stand before moving on, and I felt there was an opportunity to create something far more immersive,” said Andy Reardon, President of Creative Technology Middle East (CTME), who created the first CONNECTME event in 2024.
“My vision was to bring customers, partners, creatives and industry professionals together under one roof, giving them the time and space to explore the latest investments across CTME, experience technology in a real-world environment, meet the amazing team that power the projects and have conversations that simply aren’t possible within the constraints of a traditional exhibition,” Reardon explained.
From the outset, however, CONNECTME was about more than client engagement alone. “While our customers remain at the heart of everything we do, education and industry development have always been equally important pillars of the concept,” Reardon noted. CONNECTME24 attracted more than 300 people over three days, including a dedicated education day that welcomed colleges, schools and universities from across the GCC. “I started my own career in this industry at the age of 17, straight out of school, and I will always be passionate about supporting the next generation of talent,” he stated. “I wanted students to see firsthand the scale, creativity, technology and opportunities that exist within our sector, and hopefully inspire some of the people who will go on to become the future leaders of our industry.”
Fast-forward to 2026 and, despite a challenging period for many in the industry, Reardon was more determined than ever to bring CONNECTME back. “I felt the industry needed an opportunity to reconnect, re-energise and come together again, which led to the creation of reCONNECTME 2026,” he stated. For the first time, an entire day of the event was dedicated to the freelance community. “These are the talented people behind so many successful projects across the region, and I wanted to create a space where colleagues, peers and friends could come together, share experiences, network, walk, talk and reconnect,” he said. “These individuals are an essential part of our industry’s success and deserve a platform that recognises the contribution they make every day.”
Following reCONNECTME, the event returned to the core CONNECTME concept with dedicated client, creative and production-focused days. While the timing meant CTME was unable to host a dedicated education programme this year, with schools and universities only just returning from the summer break, plans are already afoot for future initiatives aimed at engaging and developing emerging talent.
Photos: Creative Technology
