Featured Speakers

Helen Bourke

GM Operations, Modelcraft

Helen Bourke is a highly experienced major event manager and producer, having worked for or been an adviser on a number of international major events and summits such as G20 (Australia, Argentina, Saudi Arabia), ASEAN, APEC and World Youth Day. Helen’s areas of expertise include strategic event and program planning, integration planning, stakeholder engagement, event logistics, venue operations, hospitality and catering, simultaneous interpretation services, accommodation planning, delegate end-to-end services, liaison and protocol services and showcasing and cultural events.

Mutaib Alruhaimi

Founder & CEO, Cerimonia Weddings and Events

Mutaib Alruhaimi began 10 years back as an event planner, structuring and executing some small to stunning occasions. Through sheer interest, Mutaib moved its concentration to weddings, and over the last recent years, he proudly established the company "Cerimonia".

Mutaib Alruhaimi’s achievements would not be possible without all its wonderful partners. He also, have built a team of the best professionals in the industry, who work together to create weddings and events successful.

Mutaib and the team Cerimonia, where energy meets planning.

Harmeek Singh

Founder / CEO, Plan b Group

A respected and dynamic business leader both in and outside the UAE, he is also regarded as an integral and inspirational part of the Indian community in the UAE as well as the Sikh fraternity globally. He is the winner of several accolades and recognitions for his professional and philanthropic achievements.

Harmeek Singh has been trying to break stereotypes and has become the first Expatriate to represent UAE in the Sports world as the Marketing and Strategy Director (Global).

He is a board member for Sikh Channel (UK), SNF (Special Needs Friends-Charity for special needs children), Box Of Hope (Platform for supporting blue collared workers), First Patron for Asian Football Championship to take 10,000 workers to watch a match for the first time in a stadium.

His determination and relentless hard work paved the way for the eight-entity strong Plan b empire over a short span of 14 years and his humility and service towards society gained him the adoration of his people and peers.

Paul Berger

President ILEA Middle East & CEO Arena Group Middle East & Asia

Paul Berger has been working in the Middle East and Asia since 1993. He started his career in Dubai with the OMNICOM Group, as a lead Account Director on Emirates Airline, Pepsi Cola and General Motors. In 1997, Paul moved into the sports event management sector, by launching the first leisure motor sport tracks in the region. Indoor Karting, Outdoor Karting, the Dubai Autodrome FIA Circuit and local motor racing championships.

In 2009, he became CEO of Harlequin and subsequently sold the company to the Arena Group. In 2010, he became CEO of the Middle East and Asia Division for the Arena Group, launching the company in Singapore and Malaysia. Paul has subsequently expanded the division to Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Korea and now Japan. The division has grown from a US$6m business in 2009 to over US$30m in 2017, with over 180 employees. Paul sits on global executive board of the ARENA Group PLC and is one of the largest individual shareholders in the Group.

Sujoy Cherian

CEO, Option 1 Event Services LLC

Sujoy Cherian has always been immensely passionate about innovation & the future. His ardent desire to incorporate cutting-edge technology on each of his projects and his everyday life; has indeed paved the way for him to be known as one of the leading event technologists in markets he serves.

As a young entrepreneur, his first business venture in 1997 was an audio-visual and special effects rental company called Soundwaves rapidly creating a niche in the Asian entertainment and events industry. Truly inspired & backed by his visionary father who was a pioneer in the field of manufacturing audio solutions since 1985.

Over the past two decades Sujoy has grown the companies he leads into globally renowned event technology, production & content development verticals with headquarters now based in Dubai and liaison offices worldwide; rebranded as Option 1 Events. Content. Technology.