Arc Middle East 2024: Review

Quality time with the most in-demand architects in the Middle East

Getting some 1-on-1 time with the people who call the shots on the big commercial projects in the Middle East is tough. But, on February 9-12, 2024, those very people left their project pressures and deadlines behind and headed to the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi for some quality time together. A select group of 'in the know' manufacturers headed out to meet them.

Taking these super-busy architects and designers away from the distractions and interruptions of the office makes all the difference in the world, affording the attending manufacturers the focused time they had been craving with the region’s true commercial project influencers.

Here’s a little taster of who was there:

  1. ACG - Architectural Consulting Group, UAE: Chief Executive Officer
  2. AE7, Jordan: Lead Project Architect
  3. AECOM, UAE: Director of Architecture
  4. Dewan Architects, UAE: Partner & Chief Design Officer
  5. Foster+Partners, UAE: Partner
  6. Gensler, UAE: Technical Director
  7. HOK, UAE: Senior Associate
  8. Perkins and Will, USA: Senior Project Architect/Senior Associate
  9. Perkins Eastman, UAE: Senior Leader-Project Architect
  10. Red Sea Global, Saudi Arabia: Director of Architecture

Get the full list.

When you have the list, please take time to study the firms and job titles. Enough said?

ArcME24:1

Attending manufacturers had 2 whole days and 3 evenings of 1-to-1 meetings and quality networking in this company. That’s time and opportunity to have the conversations you’ve been waiting for. If the larger commercial projects are your target, the architects and designers who attend Arc Middle East are the ones you need to convince, the format and the vibe creating opportunities that simply don't happen anywhere else. But don’t just take our word for it. If you want to speak to some of the manufacturers who were there, just email Jenny and she’ll point you in the right direction.

The following comments and stats are taken from the onsite survey that all attendees were asked to complete with just a few words from yours truly…

This is a one of a kind event where you can gain so much information in such a short time, and do it all in the most cordial atmosphere.

Maher Al Alam, Senior Materials Engineer -Specification Writing Specialist, SIENA

I found the event very interesting and I think it will be productive for us in the coming months. I was pleasantly surprised by the organization of the event and in general the involvement of the participating architects.

Jordi Pascual, Europe Area Manager Middle East, Figueras Seating

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95% of attending architects rate their overall experience as excellent/very good

This was my first time, but I thought the experience was great. Everyone from the BOND team was very attentive and the attendees were all very willing to meet and converse with newcomers like us.

Maria Dautant, Senior Associate, HLB Lighting Design

It was a very pleasant and rewarding experience. Time well spent. Caught up with peers and good product suppliers.

Sanjeev Coelho, Senior Associate, HOK Architects

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Getting the right people to attend is BOND’s first challenge but these time-pressured project leaders know that 3 days at Arc Middle East is time well spent: BOND has perfected its delivery over 20 years so attending architects and designers are rewarded with a seamless experience from start to finish and about a year’s worth of information gathering and relationship building over a just few days. The fact that ‘BONDies’ are also friendly, approachable and attentive by nature was appreciated too:

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Attendees rated BOND’s onsite customer service an average of 9.6 out of 10

The event management team is just perfect, honestly ! Each and everyone is smiley, helpful, and attentive.

Maher Al Alam, Senior Materials Engineer - Specification Writing Specialist, SIENA

In all, excellent is the word. The effort is obvious and you made it look very easy. You are PRO's.

Wissam Mourad, Senior Design Manager, ACG Architectural Consulting Group

BOND management and coordination is excellent.

 

Ajinkya Bhosale, Architect/Lead Specifications Writer ,KEO International

Awesome, as always. Typical BOND - clear and concise communications.

Marius Ronnett, Senior Project Architect, Senior Associate, Perkins&Will

ArcME24:2

Manufacturers coming to their first BOND event often don’t know quite what to expect. Most are used to more traditional trade show set ups where there are no guarantees on who’s going to show up. And even if a trade show does attract good numbers of bona-fide project leaders looking for potential collaborators, what are the chances of getting their undivided attention for long enough to make a lasting impression? We’ll let you be the judge of that:

Meanwhile, BOND will continue to expand its network of ‘converts’ to its own unique blend that guarantees the quality of attendees and the access you have to them.

Arc Middle East will get you 1-on-1 with a guaranteed number of extremely influential architects and designers from the firms driving some of the biggest and most interesting projects in the Gulf region. Furthermore, you will have plenty of time outside your meetings to continue any promising conversations that you start and to meet everyone else here too.

BOND's people are into what they do and that's why they're good at it: uncovering the projects you'd love to be a part of, identifying the architects and designers who own the client relationship and bringing them together for 3 days to discover collaborative opportunities. That’s what you’ll find at Arc Middle East. The rest, my friend, is up to you.

Arc Middle East is happening 7-10 February 2025, venue tbc. For more info. on who comes, how it works and what you can achieve, please get in touch.

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