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Middle East Event Show

Exhibition & Seminars: 17 & 18 June 2025
Sheikh Maktoum Hall, DWTC, Dubai
Timings: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Awards: 19 June 2025
Madinat Arena, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai

Honoring Excellence in the Events Industry at the Middle East Event Awards 2025

The Middle East Event Awards gathers the who’s who of the MICE and live events industry to honour outstanding individuals, teams, and companies that have conceptualised and delivered the best event experiences across the region.

16

Years Legacy

600+

Awards Submissions

900+

Attendees

32

Award Categories

30+

Expert Judges

The shortlist is out, and it's nothing short of exceptional.


We’re thrilled to announce the finalists for the Middle East Event Awards 2025! These standout individuals, teams, and organisations are redefining excellence across the region’s event industry. See who made the list!

Join us for the big night! Celebrate 16 years of industry brilliance at the Awards Ceremony on 19 June 2025, hosted at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. It’s the ultimate night of recognition, celebration, and connection with the region’s top talent.

Please note: All tables and seats for the Awards Ceremony are now sold out.

For bookings and enquiries, contact us at awards@me-eventshow.com.

Unnati Shahani
Awards Project Manager, Informa Connect

Important Dates

Monday, 14 April 2025

Entry Deadline (Closed)

Thursday, 8 May 2025

Shortlist Announcement

Thursday, 19 June 2025

Awards Ceremony

Guests applauding at the Middle East Event Awards 2025 – Book your table or seat for the ceremony and gala dinner in Dubai
Group photo of past winners and judges on stage – Learn about the judging process at the Middle East Event Awards 2025
Award finalists celebrating on stage – Explore categories and judging criteria for the Middle East Event Awards 2025

MEET THE JUDGES

Meet the independent panel of seasoned experts reviewing submissions for the Middle East Event Awards 2025.

Ajay Bhojwani, Regional Managing Director at MCI Group – Judge at Middle East Event Awards 2025

Ajay Bhojwani
Regional Managing Director,
MCI Group

Anam Ahmed, Founder & Chief Creative Officer of The Hanging House – Awards Judge 2025

Anam Ahmed
Founder & Chief Creative Officer,

The Hanging House

Andy Reardon, Managing Director at Creative Technology Middle East – MEES 2025 Awards Judge

Andy Reardon
Managing Director,

Creative Technology Middle East

Antony Parham, Executive Creative Director at LINKVIVA – MEES 2025 Judging Panel Member

Antony Parham
Executive Creative Director,
LINKVIVA

Benoit Honnart, CEO of Electra Exhibitions LLC – Judge for Middle East Event Awards 2025

Benoit Honnart
CEO,
Electra Exhibitions LLC

Bruno Marx, CEO of EventKnowHow – Expert Judge, Middle East Event Awards 2025

Bruno Marx
CEO,
EventKnowHow

Catherine Broad, Director at Venue Matchmaker – MEES 2025 Awards Judging Panel

Catherine Broad
Director,
Venue Matchmaker

David Balfour, Co-Founder of LIGHTBLUE – Judge for Middle East Event Awards 2025

David Balfour
Co-Founder,
LIGHTBLUE

Dawn Dennis, Executive Director at Pico International – Judge for Middle East Event Awards 2025

Dawn Dennis
Executive Director,
Pico International

Donna Hyland, General Manager at GES Middle East – MEES 2025 Awards Judging Panel

Donna Hyland
General Manager,
GES Middle East

Dr. Ray Tinston, Managing Director of Identity Global – MEES 2025 Awards Judge

Dr.Ray Tinston
Managing Director,

Identity Global

Dr. Yianni Spanos, VP of Sustainability at Expo City Dubai – Middle East Event Awards 2025 Judge

Dr.Yianni Spanos
Vice President- Sustainability,

Expo City Dubai

Emma Pope, Corporate Director of Lifestyle Events at Emaar Hospitality Group – MEES 2025 Awards Judge

Emma Pope
Corporate Director of Lifestyle Events,

Emaar Hospitality Group

Flyn Roberst, COO at Messe Frankfurt Middle East – Judge for Middle East Event Awards 2025

Flyn Roberts
Chief Operating Officer,

Messe Frankfurt Middle East

Gemma Lennard, Head of Marketing at Staffwise – Awards Judge, MEES 2025

Gemma Lennard
Head of Marketing,
Staffwise

Joseph Lewis, Founder & CEO of JLC Productions Middle East – MEES 2025 Judging Panel Member

Joseph Lewis
Founder & CEO,
JLC Productions Middle East

John Jossifakis, Head of Events & Ceremonies for AFC Asian Cup 2027 – Middle East Event Awards 2025 Judge

John Jossifakis
Head of Events & Ceremonies,
AFC Asian Cup 2027 Local Organizing Committee

Kevin Brown, Event Planning & Reporting Director at GSO – Judge for Middle East Event Awards 2025

Kevin Brown
Event Planning & Reporting Director, GSO

Lucy Magee, Founder & CEO of West End Worldwide – MEES 2025 Judging Panel Member

Lucy Magee
Founder & CEO,

West End Worldwide LLC

Manal Al Kiyumi, Director of Marketing & Communications at OCEC – Judge at Middle East Event Awards 2025

Manal Al Kiyumi
Director of Marketing & Communications,
Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre - OCEC

Mariam Ahmed, Co-Founder of The Collective – Judge for MEES 2025

Mariam Ahmed
Co-Founder,

The Collective

Mark Jan Kar, General Manager at ASM Global MENA – Middle East Event Awards 2025 Judging Panel

Mark Jan Kar
General Manager,

ASM Global (MENA)

Michail Panagiotakis, Executive Director of Events at Viola Communications – MEES 2025 Awards Judge

Michail Panagiotakis
Executive Director Events,

Viola Communications

Nadine Farrag, General Manager at Weddingsonline – Awards Judge for Middle East Event Awards 2025

Nadine Farrag
General Manager,

Weddingsonline

Naomi Warmington, Senior Sustainability Manager at Informa Global – MEES 2025 Judging Panel

Naomi Warmington
Senior Sustainability Manager,

Informa Global

Olla Abbas, Head of Mindvalley MENA – Middle East Event Awards 2025 Judg

Olla Abbas
Head of Mindvalley MENA,

Mindvalley

Rhiannon Downie Hurst, Founder of Bride Club ME – Judge at MEES Awards 2025

Rhiannon Downie Hurst
Founder,

Bride Club ME

Samantha Breslin, Head of Production at People – Judge for Middle East Event Awards 2025

Samantha Breslin
Head of Production,

People

Sankalp Sharma, Co-Founder & CEO at Rayqube – Middle East Event Awards 2025 Judge

Sankalp Sharma
Co-Founder & CEO,

Rayqube

Shenin Hamid, Founder & CEO of Inspire Events & Activations FZ LLC – MEES 2025 Judging Panel

Shenin Hamid
Founder & CEO,

Inspire Events & Activations FZ LLC

Sujoy Cherian, CEO & Creative Technologist at Option 1 Events – MEES 2025 Awards Judge

Sujoy Cherian
CEO & Creative Technologist,
Option 1 Events


Tammy Urwin, Director at Urban Events – Judge at Middle East Event Awards 2025

Tammy Urwin
Director,

Urban Events

Tom Ralston, Regional Director at Encore Middle East – MEES 2025 Judging Panel Member

Tom Ralston
Regional Director,
Encore Middle East

Valentina Ruffoni, Founder & CEO of The Pie Network – Middle East Event Awards 2025 Judge

Valentina Ruffoni
Founder & CEO,

The Pie Network (People in Events)

Yvonne Hoffzimmer, Chief Operating Officer at DesignLab Experience – MEES 2025 Awards Judge

Yvonne Hoffzimmer
Chief Operating Officer,

DesignLab Experience

Ziad Ghaloul, CEO & Founder of Build Up – Judge for Middle East Event Awards 2025

Ziad Ghaloul
CEO & Founder,
Build Up

Why participate at the Middle East Event Awards 2025?

Award presenters on stage at the Middle East Event Awards, with Buildup as presenting sponsor – brand visibility at MEES Awards Ceremony.

Showcase your brand as an industry leader

Award-winning team celebrating on stage at the Middle East Event Awards – employee recognition and team celebration

Recognise & motivate your employees & teams

Live performers energising the stage during the Middle East Event Awards – celebrating industry excellence in style.

Celebrate your hard work and successes in style