Jon Noonan: Transforming Event Spaces - One Decibel At A Time!

From student nightclub promotions to supplying global iconic events like Wimbledon, Royal Ascot, and Formula One, John Noonan has seen many sides of the event industry. As founder of Thorns Group, he takes us behind the scenes of event logistics - where 400 staff, 15 site managers and 150 lorry movements make the difference between chaos and success.

John also introduces his latest innovation: -45db - modular, sound-reduced structures that solve one of the industry’s toughest challenges, delivering up to 45 decibels of noise reduction for exhibition and event spaces.

Plus, his bold prediction: why Dubai is set to become the global center of events and why this should matter to every industry professional.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Ian Carless
Studio Engineer & Editor: Manny Penamora
Executive Producers: Ian Carless & Joe Morrison
Produced by: EventNewsDXB & Poddworx

Support us!

It takes time and effort to put the EventNewsDXB podcast together and we hope it's worth something to you. If it is, please consider sponsoring the podcast to enable us to keep them coming. Contact us for details.

David Balfour: Redefining Brand Experiences 

In this episode of EventNewsDXB, we sit down with David Balfour, co-founder of LightBlue and one of the pioneers of experiential marketing in the Middle East. David shares his desire to help redefine brand engagement in Dubai - shifting the focus from traditional activations to emotionally driven experiences that resonate long after the event is over.

From big and bold stunts to more intimate and curated brand moments, David explains why emotion is the new metric and why bravery, strategy and cultural insight matter more than ever.

We also explore the future of live experiences in an AI-driven world, why authenticity will become a brand’s greatest asset and what it takes to build strong, trust-based client relationships in a fast-moving market.

If you want to create events that inspire, engage, and truly connect, this episode is packed with ideas and insights you can’t afford to miss.

EventNewsDXB is powered by -45dB - Sound Reduction Specialists.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Ian Carless
Studio Engineer & Editor: Manny Penamora
Executive Producers: Ian Carless & Joe Morrison
Produced by: EventNewsDXB & Poddworx

Support us!

It takes time and effort to put the EventNewsDXB podcast together and we hope it's worth something to you. If it is, please consider sponsoring the podcast to enable us to keep them coming. Contact us for details.

Iain Morrison - Beyond Burnout: The True Cost of Event Excellence

With over 35 years in the event industry, Iain Morrison has seen the effect the industry can have on people first-hand. This week on EventNewsDXB, the founder of The Imagination Collaborative opens up about the pressures facing today’s event professionals - from resource cuts to unrealistic timelines and the silent mental health toll that comes with them.

Iain shares his own experiences with burnout, why the industry’s "just push through" mindset no longer works and why he's not afraid to speak up and get the conversation started. Iain shares his own journey, the patterns he’s noticed across the sector and how leaders can take practical steps to create healthier working environments - from better planning and structure to simply giving people the space to speak up.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling the pressure, anyone leading a team, or anyone who believes there’s a better way to deliver great events -without burning out in the process.

EventNewsDXB is powered by -45dB - Sound Reduction Specialists.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Ian Carless
Studio Engineer & Editor: Manny Penamora
Executive Producers: Ian Carless & Joe Morrison
Produced by: EventNewsDXB & Poddworx

Support us!

It takes time and effort to put the EventNewsDXB podcast together and we hope it's worth something to you. If it is, please consider sponsoring the podcast to enable us to keep them coming. Contact us for details.

Benoit Honnart - Inside Electra: Building a Turnkey Event Production Powerhouse.

We kick off Season 2 of EventNewsDXB with Benoit Honnart, CEO of Electra, as he pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes world of event production in the Middle East. Behind every spectacular luxury event lies a finely-tuned operation juggling impossible deadlines, creative demands, and logistical nightmares. 

With manufacturing facilities spanning 53,000 square meters across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, Electra has positioned itself as the powerhouse that transforms creative visions into reality. Benoit shares why vertical integration gives Electra a critical edge, how a “people first” culture drives quality and what the industry needs to do next on sustainability and AI. 

Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the industry, this episode is packed with real-world lessons, leadership wisdom and inspiration for anyone in the business of events.

EventNewsDXB is powered by -45dB - Sound Reduction Specialists.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Ian Carless
Studio Engineer & Editor: Manny Penamora
Executive Producers: Ian Carless & Joe Morrison
Produced by: EventNewsDXB & Poddworx

Support us!

It takes time and effort to put the EventNewsDXB podcast together and we hope it's worth something to you. If it is, please consider sponsoring the podcast to enable us to keep them coming. Contact us for details.

🎙️ This week on the EventNewsDXB podcast, we’re joined by Rudi Buchner, co-founder of Three Monkeys, whose journey from a 10-year-old cable runner at a Pope’s visit in Bavaria to one of Dubai’s most innovative event producers is nothing short of remarkable.

⛑️ When the pandemic brought the industry to a halt, Rudi and his team didn't just pivot - they reimagined what virtual events could be. By applying broadcast-level production techniques and integrating features like AI-powered captioning, simultaneous translation, and sign language interpretation, they helped set a new standard for corporate communication.

🎧 In this episode, Rudi shares how they scaled up his busines to run four event broadcast control rooms simultaneously, the art of transforming corporate executives into virtual stage pros and the brand challenge of being too good at virtual - only to have clients forget their creative roots in experiential and exhibition design.

It’s a fascinating conversation filled with insight, resilience and a vision for a more sustainable future in events.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Ian Carless
Studio Engineer & Editor: Manny Penamora
Executive Producers: Ian Carless & Joe Morrison
Produced by: EventNewsDXB & Poddworx

Support us!

It takes time and effort to put the EventNewsDXB podcast together and we hope it's worth something to you. If it is, please consider sponsoring the podcast to enable us to keep them coming. Contact us for details.

Rob Statham & Jake Smith: Behind the Pit Wall - F1 And The Power Of Experiential Marketing

🚦 This week, we’re going full throttle into the world of Formula One with Rob Statham  and Jake Smith from The Events House, the creative minds behind some of the most memorable fan zone activations on the global F1 calendar. 

From setting up Giant Jenga at local events to building 4D cinemas for Aramco in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, their journey is a masterclass in how experiential marketing has become a critical player in the modern brand playbook.

🎧 Hear how these large-scale activations come together, why race days in the region are more social phenomenon than sport and how brands are shifting focus from digital noise to real-world, high-impact experiences.

Whether you're in events, marketing, motorsport - or just love a good hustle story - this episode is for you.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Ian Carless
Studio Engineer & Editor: Manny Penamora
Executive Producers: Ian Carless & Joe Morrison
Produced by: EventNewsDXB & Poddworx

Support us!

It takes time and effort to put the EventNewsDXB podcast together and we hope it's worth something to you. If it is, please consider sponsoring the podcast to enable us to keep them coming. Contact us for details.

Mohammad Al Shehhi: The Emirati Who Quit His Day Job To Start A Wrestling Revolution

What happens when a young Emirati decides to ditch his conventional career path and dive headfirst into the high-flying world of professional wrestling? This week on EventNewsDXB, we're talking to Mohammed Al Shehhi, known to fans as "Shaheen" (Arabic for falcon), who traded 9-5 and office politics for suplexes and theatrical combat.​

Mohammad opens up about how he went against the expectations of both family and society and embarked on a remarkable double life: corporate professional by day, aspiring wrestler by night. 

His persistence paid off. Three years after founding WrestleFest DXB, Mohammed has transformed humble beginnings (the first show had just five audience members) into Dubai's most unique sporting spectacle with regular sold-out events.

Podcast Rundown

1️⃣ Mohammed's Journey into Wrestling 

2️⃣ Living a Double Life 

3️⃣ Building a Wrestling Promotion 

4️⃣ Creating a Community-Driven Event 

5️⃣ WWE Connections and Future Aspirations 

6️⃣ Television Dreams and Next Steps 

Production Credits:

Presented by: Ian Carless
Studio Engineer & Editor: Manny Penamora
Executive Producers: Ian Carless & Joe Morrison
Produced by: EventNewsDXB & Poddworx

Support us!

It takes time and effort to put the EventNewsDXB podcast together and we hope it's worth something to you. If it is, please consider sponsoring the podcast to enable us to keep them coming. Contact us for details.

In this episode, Paul Berger, CEO of Arena Events Group, shares his journey from the advertising world of 1990s Dubai to leading one of the world’s premier event infrastructure companies. From launching the city’s first indoor karting facility to developing Dubai Autodrome and scaling Arena globally, Paul has played a pivotal role in shaping the event landscape.

He opens up about the surprising differences between global event markets—especially how the Middle East consistently outpaces the US and UK in event quality and guest expectations. 

Paul also unpacks the power of long-term partnerships in the industry and reveals Arena’s plans to move beyond seasonal events and into semi-permanent, game-changing structures.

Whether you're in events, hospitality, or just curious about how world-class experiences are built, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration and a masterclass in global scale-up strategy.

Podcast Rundown

• Arrival and early days in Dubai.
• Dubai AutoDrome and F1.
• Joining Harlequin and partnering with Arena.
• Arena's expansion throughout Middle East and Asia. 
• Key market differentials and quality gap.
• Importance of long-term partnerships over transactional relationships.
• Health of Dubai's events industry.
• Arena's future plans.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Ian Carless
Studio Engineer & Editor: Manny Penamora
Executive Producers: Ian Carless & Joe Morrison
Produced by: EventNewsDXB & Poddworx

Support us!

It takes time and effort to put the EventNewsDXB podcast together and we hope it's worth something to you. If it is, please consider sponsoring the podcast to enable us to keep them coming. Contact us for details.

EventNewsDXB - Ep. 8 - Amy Morris: Building Creativity And Innovation In The Entertainment Industry.

In this episode of EventNewsDXB, host Ian Carless sits down with Amy Morris, CEO of PopUp Global, to discuss her journey from cruise ship performer to entertainment entrepreneur. 

Amy shares how a Disney cease-and-desist notice led her to pivot her UK-based business, eventually winning a major cruise line contract. She reflects on navigating the challenges of expanding to Dubai, from cultural differences in business operations to sourcing top-tier talent. 

Amy also dives into the importance of mental health support for performers, the power of saying no to the wrong opportunities and her excitement for upcoming projects. 

Tune in for insights on innovation, resilience, and the evolving entertainment landscape in Dubai and beyond.

Podcast Rundown

• Starting out in entertainment.  
• Receiving a cease and desist letter from The Walt Disney Company.
• Transitioning from freelance to limited company.
• Navigating COVID and winning new contracts.
• Setting up in Dubai. 
• Establishing the business focus.
• Being a woman in the event industry.
• Mental health initiatives.
• Looking ahead.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Ian Carless
Studio Engineer & Editor: Manny Penamora
Executive Producers: Ian Carless & Joe Morrison
Produced by: EventNewsDXB & Poddworx

Support us!

It takes time and effort to put the EventNewsDXB podcast together and we hope it's worth something to you. If it is, please consider sponsoring the podcast to enable us to keep them coming. Contact us for details.

EventNewsDXB Ep. 07 Mike Wain: Thriving & Surviving - Balancing Business & Well-Being

EventNewsDXB is supported by Warehouse Four - Dubai's best independent event venue.

Join host Ian Carless and seasoned event professional, Mike Wain, as he shares his insights on Dubai’s ever-evolving event industry and the challenges of entrepreneurship. 

It's a candid discussion that shed's light on the rise and fall of Mike's previous company, Action Impact and see's him advocate for stronger industry standards and pre-qualification processes to create a more sustainable business landscape.

The conversation also explores the mental health toll of the industry, with Mike emphasising the need for empathy, rest, and healthy client relationships. 

It's an engaging and honest discussion that provides valuable insights into the realities of building and sustaining a business in Dubai’s competitive events scene.

Podcast rundown

• Mike Wayne recounts his journey into Dubai's event industry. 
• Closing Action Impact and how COVID-19 reshaped event planning and engagement. 
• The importance of maintainng industry production standards.
• Exploration of the need for mental health awareness in the event industry.
• Insights into future trends and the sustainability of the events sector. 

Production Credits:

Presented by: Ian Carless
Studio Engineer & Editor: Manny Penamora
Executive Producers: Ian Carless & Joe Morrison
Produced by: EventNewsDXB & Poddworx

Support us!

It takes time and effort to put the EventNewsDXB podcast together and we hope it's worth something to you. If it is, please consider sponsoring the podcast to enable us to keep them coming. Contact us for details.