Confident in your product? Position it where decisions are made.
This review will give you a clear picture of what Arc Middle East is all about, who came and what they thought about it.
This should give you a sense of the potential long-term ROI – but the single most important element to maximise that potential is YOU.
For, every year, BOND promises to deliver the architects and designers with firm-wide influence over who gets specified for major commercial projects throughout the Middle East.
You’ll get a guaranteed number of 1-on-1 meetings with your best prospects plus copious amounts of relaxed, natural networking to continue those conversations and engage in countless others.
If it’s conversations with influential decision makers at the A&D firms behind the headline projects in the Middle East you’re looking for, you need look no further.
If you have faith in your product and a genuine curiosity to find out more about how you can help time-pressured architects deliver what their clients want, we suggest you get in touch.
We can provide you with all of the information you need to decide whether Arc Middle East is right for you.
For now, here’s a look at some highlights from Abu Dhabi:
Pre-Event Tour
Feb 6, 2026, Abu Dhabi, around lunchtime.
Anyone entering the lobby of the Ritz Carlton may have wondered about the excitable gathering of distinguished looking individuals, many exchanging warm hugs, clearly delighted to see each other again, while others looked on from the sidelines with a little trepidation.
This was the Arc Middle East pre-event tour pickup point, a bus just pulling up outside to whisk partakers off to the Louvre, Abu Dhabi.
Here, our aesthetically-minded crowd would learn all about the inspiration behind the museum’s iconic dome, and how natural elements have shaped the design of this innovative cultural landmark. Some also sneaked off to get an eyeful of Picasso’s ‘the Figure’ exhibition, while they were there. Rude not to.
In the space of a few hours, regular attendees got reacquainted and first timers began to find their networking flow as they savoured this rare chance to spend time with the people directing the biggest and most interesting commercial projects in the Middle East.
When exceptionally busy architects step away from the office — with every detail seamlessly handled for the days ahead — it’s remarkable how open and present they become.
And if your solution isn’t immediately relevant to their current pipeline, chances are they know precisely who is.
Experienced suppliers understand the value of this early, informal moment — using it to build rapport and establish meaningful connections before the event officially begins that evening.
50 of the Middle East's most influential architects in one place
To give this some context straight away, here’s a small sample from this year’s architect attendee list:
- Sanjeev Coelho, Senior Associate, HOK
- Mithun Paul Varghese, Director - MENA, LWK + Partners
- Wissam El Souss, Senior Project Manager, Khatib & Alami
- Li Ren, Associate | Project Architect, Perkins Eastman
- Alejandro Garcia, Lead Principal Architect, AtkinsRéalis
- Ala Hason, Principal – Regional Director, HKS
- Aashit Shah, Associate Principal, Perkins&Will
- Will Plowman, Partner, Foster & Partners
Get the full list. That’s 50 of the Middle East’s true commercial project influencers, handpicked by the scale and value of their project portfolios and their direct influence over who gets specified.
It’s the only time of year you’ll find this number and quality of Principal-level architects together in one place, ready to talk.
When you receive the list, consider the firms and seniority represented — how much time, effort and investment would it typically take to secure just one guaranteed, uninterrupted meeting at that level?
BOND delivered the architects it promised
That evening, as the sun started to set over the Grand Canal, delegates headed for the warm glow of Arabian lanterns and the sound of oud melodies emanating from the scented olive gardens for the official start of the 17th edition of Arc Middle East.
The opening moments can feel anticipatory for some — but with a perfectly chilled drink in hand and refined modern Emirati cuisine thoughtfully curated, conversation quickly begins to flow.
Open seating ensures you’ll find yourself alongside engaging company, where meaningful dialogue unfolds naturally in a relaxed, elegant setting — setting the tone for the days ahead.
It’s usually around this time that first time attendees, who may have been a bit cynical about who would actually be here, are relieved and excited to see that BOND has delivered on its promises.
Furthermore, the whole setup and atmosphere is rather delightful and highly conducive to light-hearted chitchat, aided by the very relaxed welcome speech from BOND’s founder, Oliver ‘Olly’ Needs (see BOND: Origins).
You’re finally here, so just breathe, settle in, say hello to folks and see where the conversation takes you.
Heading back to your room a little later than you might have planned, you find yourself smiling as you relive some of the conversations you’ve had, and pat the growing stash of business cards in your breast pocket.
Your network already has some fresh life in it and you haven’t even started your meetings yet. An inevitable mix of excitement and nerves as you think about tomorrow and make double-sure your alarm’s set.
1-on-1 meetings with high-level architects
A surprising number of familiar faces at breakfast, you’re already starting to feel at home as you make your way to the seminar room for the one from the AEC AI Consultant who has worked out how AI can save firms millions in USD a year. A highly topical start to the day, helping to wake your brain up for the first of four 1-on-1 meetings sessions.
You’ve done your prep. and you’ve got your conversation starters lined up for your first meeting with the legendary Li Ren, Associate at Perkins Eastman and President of AIA, Middle East.
Reading his interview with BOND and his detailed profile in your delegate portal has given you some handy insight and, before you know it, you’re shaking hands and exchanging warm, genuine smiles with this highly influential and equally approachable young architect.
The ice breaks unexpectedly over your shared passion for engineering and pushing the envelope to see what’s possible, and this fuels a fascinating conversation which you would both love to continue over the coming days.
And that’s when it hits you! At this level, it’s not about trying to shoehorn your sales pitch into the conversation. The unique features and benefits of the products you represent will come into their own later.
Right here, right now, you’re in a potentially career-changing situation: two whole days of uninterrupted 1-on-1 meetings with top-level architects. They are, first and foremost, human beings who love to connect with other human beings and find genuine common ground.
If you go into such meetings with some open-ended questions and an open mind, you will be surprised at how much ground you can cover in 30 minutes.
You will both know if there is something there – a connection that you feel on a personal level, that starts to lay a foundation of trust – and that’s when the magic begins to happen and the collaborative possibilities open up in front of you.
BOND delivers the decision makers who can open doors at the big firms for you. What you make of that is down to you.
BOND does the heavy lifting for you. The hard work behind identifying and getting commitment from the most in-demand architects and designers in the Middle East (and beyond) is done.
The people who can open doors for you at the big firms working on the projects you want in on are here. Yes, they’re looking for innovative new products they haven’t seen before. Yes, they want to know how you can help them with their project challenges and aspirations. But, more than anything, they want to be excited and inspired about the possibility of working with you. That connection tends to happen when you share genuine passion for your work and align with the values architects care most about — thoughtful design, innovation, environmental responsibility, human wellbeing and trust. (See: How to Sell to Architects and Designers). You might also both be into motorsport, baking or beekeeping!
The point is that the people with the projects are all yours for three whole days and nights. You’ve got your meetings to get things rolling and another two evenings of curated BONDing events on and offsite to make real connections that you can build on, in your own unique way, after the event.
BOND delivers the decision-makers who can open doors at the big firms for you. What you make of that is down to you.
Arc Middle East 2027 is happening in February 2027, date and venue to be confirmed shortly. If you'd like to get more information on who’s coming, how it works and what you could achieve if you came, please get in touch.
The following feedback is from the onsite survey that all attendees were asked to complete and from comments made on Linkedin around the event.
Architects
How do you rate Arc Middle East overall? 4.6/5
An excellent event bringing together like-minded industry professionals and bespoke global suppliers under one roof to explore opportunities for future collaboration.
Kishor Kumar, 10 DESIGN, Director
What stood out as the single biggest highlight of the event?
The single biggest highlight of the event was the wide variety of new suppliers, which showcased the latest products, materials, and innovative solutions, providing valuable insights and opportunities to explore emerging trends in the architecture and design industry.
Miled Fadel, Snr Architect, Dar Al Handasah
How would you rate the customer service you received prior to and at the event? 4.9/5
Perfection personified.
Sanjeev Coelho, Senior Associate, HOK
How likely are you to recommend Arc Middle East to your peers and colleagues? 94%
Suppliers
How do you rate Arc Middle East overall? 4.7/5
First foray into the Middle East market and made great connections with important firms
John Flaa. Infinity Drain, Commercial Sales Director
What stood out as the single biggest highlight of the event?
Unlike typical trade shows, the event’s format guaranteed time with senior architects and specifiers working on major projects, giving attendees a rare and valuable opportunity to showcase products and build real relationships.
Mirko Speri, Riverclack, Advisor.
How likely are you to recommend Arc Middle East to your colleagues and peers? 94%
