🎙️ 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: Roy D'Monte
Executive Producers: Ian Carless & Joe Morrison
Produced by: EventNewsDXB & W4 Podcast Studio

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 supporting us for as little as US$250 per month to keep the podcasts 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: Roy D'Monte
Executive Producers: Ian Carless & Joe Morrison
Produced by: EventNewsDXB & W4 Podcast Studio

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 supporting us for as little as US$250 per month to keep the podcasts 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: Roy D'Monte
Executive Producers: Ian Carless & Joe Morrison
Produced by: EventNewsDXB & W4 Podcast Studio

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 supporting us for as little as US$250 per month to keep the podcasts 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: Roy D'Monte
Executive Producers: Ian Carless & Joe Morrison
Produced by: EventNewsDXB & W4 Podcast Studio

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 supporting us for as little as US$250 per month to keep the podcasts 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: Roy D'Monte
Executive Producers: Ian Carless & Joe Morrison
Produced by: EventNewsDXB & W4 Podcast Studio

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 supporting us for as little as US$250 per month to keep the podcasts 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: Roy D'Monte
Executive Producers: Ian Carless & Joe Morrison
Produced by: EventNewsDXB & W4 Podcast Studio

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 supporting us for as little as US$250 per month to keep the podcasts coming. Contact us for details.

EventNewsDXB Ep. 6 - Maxine English: A Maverick's Journey From Dubai To The West End

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

What if you could bring some of Dubai's 'anything's possible' attitude to the heart of London's iconic West End? That's exactly what this week's guest did! Join host Ian Carless as he sits down with Maxine English, the maverick powerhouse behind the transformation of the Savoy Theatre.

From her early days immersed in Dubai's arts scene to helping shape Dubai's burgeoning cultural landscape, Maxine's story is one of passion, resilience and a touch of old-school glamour. Discover how her childhood love for drama classes evolved into a full-fledged career and how a chance encounter with a hospitality industry titan, paved her way to success.

Podcast Rundown

• Maxine's background and entry into the theatre world.
• The evolution of Dubai's entertainment landscape.
• Key challenges of making theatre commercially viable.
• The balance between international productions and local talent.
• The potential impact of casinos on the entertainment scene.
• Personal sacrifices and experiences in theatre leadership.
• The significance of creating memorable audience experiences.

Production Credits:

Presented by: Ian Carless
Studio Engineer & Editor: Roy D'Monte
Executive Producers: Ian Carless & Joe Morrison
Produced by: EventNewsDXB & W4 Podcast Studio

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 supporting us for as little as US$250 per month to keep the podcasts coming. Contact us for details.

EventNewsDXB Ep.5 - Ean Thorley: From MTV to Mega Events! A 30-Year Journey in Entertainment.

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

In this episode, Ean Thorley, founder of Whatever Live, talks to EventNewsDXB host, Ian Carless, about his journey from MTV intern to Executive Producer of some of the world’s biggest music award shows. From launching MTV Asia, Hong Kong and China to producing groundbreaking events like the Chinese Music Awards, Ean reflects on over 30 years in the industry.

Through highly entertaining anecdotes, Ean recounts the highs and lows of large-scale television event production, including handling crises like fires during Dubai’s New Year’s Eve fireworks and Snoop Dogg’s unconventional requests at the MTV Music awards. The conversation also delves into MTV’s shift from music videos to reality TV and its cultural influence, including projects like Dubai Bling.

Looking to the future, Ean discusses the Middle Eastern event scene, with Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi all competing for global recognition. And he highlights the need to balance local talent with international expertise while adapting to the industry’s evolving financial landscape.

Podcast Rundown

• Ean discusses his early career at MTV
• Insights into producing large-scale events and firework shows
• Crisis management lessons learned from past experiences
• Importance of fostering local talent in Dubai's entertainment scene
• Challenges of client budgets and managing expectations
• Future of events in the competitive Middle Eastern market
• The significance of personal connections through events

Production Credits:

Presented by: Ian Carless
Studio Engineer & Editor: Roy D'Monte
Executive Producers: Ian Carless & Joe Morrison
Produced by: EventNewsDXB & W4 Podcast Studio

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 supporting us for as little as US$250 per month to keep the podcasts coming. Contact us for details.