STEFAN WIELAND:
Navigating the Middle East Event Industry
Supported by Warehouse Four - Dubai's best independent event venue.
Host Ian Carless talks to one of Dubai's most prominent event figures, Stefan Wieland, about a career spanning over two decades, including the creation of 'EINO' - the Events Industry Night Out - a thriving event industry community, which has grown to over 12,000 members.
The conversation covers the resilience of the Middle Eastern events sector and how despite lockdowns and economic setbacks, proactive government support and initiatives like "Crew for Crew" helped the industry recover.
The episode also talks about the shifting priorities in the events sector, such as focusing on experience quality and discusses the challenges faced by young professionals in the industry and the increasing importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Podcast Rundown
• Stefan's journey from Germany to becoming a key player in Dubai's events.
• EINO's inception and its evolution into a vibrant professional network.
• Challenges faced in moderating discussions within the community.
• The pandemic's impact and the industry's collaborative response.
• Importance of well-being and work-life balance post-pandemic.
• Current issues of oversaturation and declining quality in events.
• Need for structured training and qualified talent in the industry.
• Optimism for the future of events in the Middle East with new opportunities.
Production Credits:
Presented by: Ian Carless
Studio Engineer & Editor: Roy D'Monte
Executive Producers: Ian Carless & Joe Morrison
Produced by: W4 Podcast Studio