Middle East: Planners Demand Unique Spaces

Today’s meeting planners are looking for venues that provide an aesthetically pleasing backdrop and inspire creative thinking as clients seek return on investment and results when planning out-of-office events, says Carlson Rezidor.

In order to meet this demand, the company is promoting five of its quirkiest and most thought-provoking spaces across its Middle East portfolio of properties: the Origami meeting room at the Radisson Royal Hotel Dubai – a giant dome that has been carefully crafted to incorporate angular shapes; Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Deira Creek’s Al Mansour Dhow; a new “creative thinking space” developed for SMEs at Radisson Blu Residence Dubai Marina; six designated private spaces at Missoni Hotel Kuwait; and the majestic dhow Al Hashemi II sitting in her dry berth on 6,000 square metres of reclaimed land along the seafront outside Radisson Blu Hotel Kuwait. Officially recognised by Guinness World Records, Al Hashemi II is the world’s largest wooden ship.

“Meeting planners today are being challenged to find meeting spaces that suit their needs in terms of size, facilities and even design and so unusual or creative meeting spaces are fast becoming a sought-after option for many organisations,” said the hotel’s Director of Food and Beverage Services and Events Catering, Odile De Groot.
“Options such as our Al Hashemi II wooden dhow are popular for exhibitions, conferences and product launches because it provides an authentic backdrop for the event. Due to its unique and traditional interior design, very little decoration and, therefore, cost is required to dress up the venue.”
The ship’s Abdul Husain Marafie Grand ballroom can accommodate up to 1,000 guests while attached to the Al Hashemi is a conference centre with a series of meeting rooms, foyers, terraces and 10 luxury suites and rooms.

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