Events industry honours Dubai Duty Free’s McLoughlin

Events industry honours Dubai Duty Free’s McLoughlin

Lifetime achievement award for outstanding contribution to regional events industry at the Middle East Event Awards

Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, was honoured last night (Monday 27 April 2009) with a lifetime achievement award in front of over 400 top regional industry professionals at the Middle East Event Awards during the event 360 exhibition.

The award to McLoughlin recognises his pioneering role in utilising events to develop the profile of Dubai as a business, leisure and sporting destination. “From the very early days of the operation in the 1980s, Dubai Duty Free under Colm’s direction, has understood the importance and the power of marketing events in order to reach out to a local, regional and global audience,” said master of ceremonies Dave Crane.

Even before Dubai had an airline, a tourism board and tourism infrastructure, Colm and his team were identifying events, such as snooker, horse racing and tennis and which have now become synonymous with Dubai Duty Free. The Dubai Tennis Championships is one of the biggest events staged and managed by Dubai Duty Free and reaches the homes of an estimated 400 million people worldwide.

“Without a doubt, Colm and Dubai Duty Free have, through their selection and management of key events here in Dubai, helped to firmly position Dubai as a leading destination in its own right,” Crane added.
Some of the other highlights included, Flash winning two Awards for The Capitala World Tennis Championships and the George Michael and Alicia Keys Concert; HQ Creative for winning two Awards, for Summer in Abu Dhabi 2008 and arrival of the QE2 and Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company for winning the best venue in the Middle East and Best Exhibition for IDEX 2009.
In addition to Colm McLoughlin, Simon Horgan, Chief Executive Officer of ADNEC won the Outstanding Contribution to the Middle East Events Industry.
A panel of judges from a variety of industry sectors and disciplines selected the winners. Hosted by event 360, the awards are open to companies who plan, manage, supply or service exhibitions; consumer, corporate and public events; weddings, parties, concerts, venues and theatres.

“Over 200 different event projects were submitted for consideration this year and the standard was incredibly high. But it is also a night for celebration not just recognition, and one of the main aims of these awards besides showcasing innovation and excellence, is the hope that they will provide inspiration and encouragement for the future development of an already vibrant industry,” said Alex Heuff, Show Director of organisers IIR Exhibitions.

Organised by IIR Middle East, event 360 is a dedicated vertical show under the umbrella of PALME Middle East at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre. Gold sponsor of the awards is Gemini Worldwide; Silver sponsors are Byrne Equipment Rental and Band Experience; Production sponsor is Neumann & Mueller.

The full list of last night’s other winners is as follows:

Best Meeting - B Communications, for the HP IPG Technology Roadshow.

Best Trade Exhibition - Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, for IDEX 2009.

Best Corporate Product or Service Launch – Zaya, for the launch of Nurai Island.

Best Fair/Festival/Concert – Flash, for George Michael & Alicia Keys Live in Abu Dhabi.

Best Arts and Cultural Event – Pyramedia, for Al Mahabba Awards Festival.

Best Sporting Event – Flash, for the Capitala World Tennis Championship.

Outstanding Event using a Temporary Venue/Structure or Space - Action Impact, for the du Ramadan Experience.

Best Marketing of an Event - Chillout Productions, for the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival 2009.

Innovative New Product for the Events Industry - Satellite Visual Communication for Spotme.

Best Meeting or Events Venue - Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Best Creative Use of Event Lighting - Mamemo Productions, for the launch of Venti Quattro Tower.

Best Event Theme/Décor - HQ Creative, for Summer in Abu Dhabi 2008.

Outstanding Production Achievement - HQ Creative, for the QE2 Arrival Event.

Green Award - Qatar MICE Development Institute, for the UNEP Ozone Protection Meetings.

Best Exhibition Stand Design - Omniyat Properties for its stand at Cityscape Dubai 2008.


Photo caption 1: Bernard Walsh, last year’s winner presents Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free with a lifetime achievement award at the Middle East Event Awards 2009.

Photo caption 2: Middle East Event Awards 2009 Winners