Make A Difference

MICE spaces need to stand out from the crowd as clients seek morepersonalisation, authenticity and entertainment.

- Dominic Ellis

These are exciting times for event organisers and MICE planners and to borrow Harold Macmillian’s famous quote “you’ve never had it so good”.

For years there wasn’t much choice beyond the four wall meeting room and ballroom, but expectations have moved on; digital technology is making meetings more immersive, many spaces now teem with natural light and there is a universal desire among hoteliers to provide clients with meaningful, colourful experiences that are rooted in personalisation and authenticity, inside and out.

Fortunately in the MENA region, there are some outstanding spaces and novel services which are raising competition – another benefit for planners, if not necessarily for operators; with so much supply, they’ve never had it so tough. In today’s economic climate, venues need to meet expectations and provide value, or wave goodbye to repeat business.

InterContinental Hotels Group’s (IHG) Insider Collection provides a range of delegate experiences that are rooted in the destination and draw on local knowledge to create engaging, personalised meetings and events.

Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG said: “A non-traditional venue has many benefits including driving interest, improving creativity and boosting attendee engagement. Through our experientially oriented approach, we aim to create differentiation and offer unconventional event spaces that create memorable experiences.”

Tailored to each occasion, these can include interactive off-site team-building activities, engaging with local speakers or contributing to projects that benefit the surrounding community and environment.