Exhibition & Seminars: 18 - 19 August 2026
Sheikh Maktoum Hall, DWTC, UAE
Awards: 20 August 2026
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
Celebrating Excellence. Inspiring the Future of Events.
The Middle East Event Awards honour the region’s most outstanding achievements in MICE and live events, bringing together the people, brands, and ideas that shape unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re aiming for a coveted trophy or positioning your brand at the heart of the industry, this is where the region’s event leaders gather.
Event Update:
The Middle East Event Awards 2026 shortlist is now live, celebrating the standout individuals, teams, and organisations shaping the region’s events industry. Join us at the Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner on 20 August 2026 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.
The Middle East Event Awards 2026 Shortlist Is Live
Over the past seventeen years, the Middle East Event Awards has grown into the region’s most respected platform for recognising excellence across the events industry. Widely regarded as the industry’s equivalent of the Oscars, the Awards honour the individuals, teams, and organisations whose work sets benchmarks in creativity, execution, and impact.
We’re excited to announce that the official shortlist is now live, showcasing a strong pool of entries that reflect the continued dedication and resilience of the region’s events industry. Click here to view the full list.
A key moment in the industry calendar, the Awards bring the community together to celebrate outstanding achievements. Join us at the awards ceremony and gala dinner on 20 August 2026 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.
Important Dates
Thursday, 2 April 2026
Entry Deadline (Closed)
Thursday, 30 April 2026
Shortlist Announcement
Thursday, 20 August 2026
Awards Ceremony
600+
Awards Submissions
1100+
Attendees
35
Award Categories
40+
Expert Judges
1
Exciting Evening
Who You’ll Meet
The Middle East Event Awards bring together the people and brands shaping the region’s most remarkable experiences. Our audience spans every corner of the MICE and live events industry, including:
- Award-winning Event Agencies and Production Houses
- Corporate Event Planners & Marketing Teams
- Cultural, Festival, and Sporting Event Organisers
- AV, Staging, and Event Technology Innovators
- Design, Build, and Décor Specialists
- Suppliers, Logistics Partners, and Staffing Experts
- Venue Operators and Hospitality Leaders
- Government & Tourism Boards
MEET THE JUDGES
Get to know the independent panel of event experts, creative leaders, and senior decision-makers who are reviewing submissions for the Middle East Event Awards 2026.
Ahmad Abu Gheith
CEO,
Black Orange Live
Ajay Bhojwani
Regional Managing Director,
MCI Group
Alessandro Azais
Chief Executive Officer,
HQ Worldwide Shows
Anam Ahmad
Founder & CEO,
The Hanging House Experiential Events
Antony Parham
Executive Creative Director,
LINKVIVA
Benoit Honnart
CEO,
THA by ARMONIA
Bruno Marx
CEO,
EventKnowHow
Catherine Broad
Director,
Venue Matchmaker
Dan Harris
Vice President- Venue Planning & Mobilisations,
Oak View Group Middle East
Darren Kerr
Director
Dawn Dennis
Executive Director,
Pico International
Donna Hyland
General Manager,
GES Middle East
Doug Emslie
Partner,
Manta Media Capital
Emma Pope
Corporate Director of Lifestyle Events,
Emaar Hospitality Group
Fakhry Maher Alsarraj
Events Bureau Director,
Department of Culture & Tourism (DCT)
Felix Erdmann
CEO/ Co-Owner,
BeWunder
Jemma Joy
Founder & Chief-of-Staff,
Standard Practice
Jodie Fowler
Sustainability Program Delivery Manager, IMEA
Informa Markets
John Jossifakis
Head of Events & Ceremonies,
AFC Asian Cup 2027
Jon Noonan
Founder & Managing Director,
-45dB
Kevin Brown
Event Planning & Reporting Director
Lili Khanbashi
Strategic Advisor & Founder,
Unicorn Jack
Lucy Magee
Founder & CEO,
West End Worldwide LLC
Maddy Spicer
General Manager,
MENA Live Events
Manal Al Kiyumi
Director- Marketing & Live Events,
Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre - OCEC
Mariam Ahmed
Co-Founder,
The Collective
Michail Panagiotakis
Executive Director Events,
Viola Communications
Naji El Haddad
Director,
UFI
Natalie Crampton
Director,
TEC Event Management
Nowshir Engineer
CEO,
SM Productions Events LLC
Rinal Chaaban
General Manager,
Agence Publics
Samantha Lockie
Senior Sales Manager- GSO,
Encore
Sankalp Sharma
Co-Founder & CEO,
Rayqube
Sujoy Cherian
CEO & Creative Technologist,
Option 1 Events
Ted Bloom
Regional CEO,
Messe Frankfurt Middle East
Yvonne Hoffzimmer
Chief Operating Officer,
Designlab Experience
Why Sponsor the Middle East Event Awards
Sponsorship Benefits:
- Premium Brand Alignment – Stand alongside the industry’s most influential names
- Targeted Networking – Connect directly with senior event professionals, venue operators, creative directors, and corporate buyers
- Extended Exposure – Gain multi-channel visibility before, during, and after the event
- Thought Leadership – Present awards, host categories, or contribute to panels to cement your industry authority
Opportunities include:
Headline Sponsor | Platinum Sponsor | Gold Sponsor | Co-Sponsor | Category Sponsor
Be Part of the Next Chapter
Whether you’re looking to showcase your achievements, connect with industry leaders, or align your brand with excellence, the Middle East Event Awards offer a high-profile platform to achieve your goals.
Let’s talk partnerships. Our team will tailor a package that puts your brand in the spotlight.
Awards Headline Sponsor
Awards Gold Sponsor
Awards Co-Sponsors
Awards Category Sponsors
Jason English
CEO
The MEEA awards are a great showcase of the Middle East event sector and brings together friends, competitors, clients and suppliers to network, have fun and celebrate the achievements of the region within a world class experience in both venue and entertainment.
