Shows / The Backdrop Podcast
The Backdrop Podcast
The events industry is one of the world's most dynamic and influential sectors, yet the stories, ideas, challenges and innovations behind it often happen behind closed doors. This podcast opens that door.
Recorded in One Central, Dubai, and released weekly in a concise 30-minute format, the show brings together the people who shape the conferences, summits, sporting events, festivals, concerts, diplomatic gatherings and major global platforms that connect industries, governments and…
Episodes
The Backdrop PodcastEpisode 19 - Greg Sproule, CEO of Peregrine & Co.
With over 30 years of experience shaping the sports, entertainment and events industries across Asia and the Middle East, Greg Sproule joins The Backdrop to…
The Backdrop PodcastEpisode 18 - Cosmin Ivan, CEO of Platinumlist
Cosmin Ivan, CEO of Platinumlist, joins The Backdrop to explore how technology and innovation are transforming the live events industry. Under his leadership…
The Backdrop PodcastEpisode 17 - Sean Philby, Regional Managing Director, Encore
In Episode 17 of The Backdrop, Michael MacLennan sits down with Sean Philby, Regional Managing Director, UAE at Encore, to explore what the events industry can…
The Backdrop PodcastEpisode 16 - Enrico Gallorini, Co-Founder and CEO of GRS Research & Strategy
In this episode of The Backdrop, we sit down with Enrico Gallorini, Co-Founder and CEO of GRS Research & Strategy, author, TEDx speaker and one of the events…
The Backdrop PodcastEpisode 15 - Simon Mellor, Founder and Principal of Long-Stile FZE
Simon Mellor joins The Backdrop for a conversation spanning nearly three decades at the forefront of the international events industry. From joining dmg events…
The Backdrop PodcastEpisode 12 - Mark Benaicha, Founder of ESMOS Recruitment
Episode 12 of The Backdrop welcomes Mark Benaicha, Founder and Managing Director of ESMOS Recruitment. With more than 25 years across events, entertainment and…
The Backdrop PodcastEpisode 13 - AJ Amer, Founder and CEO of AKUGGI
This week on The Backdrop, I’m joined by AJ Amer, Founder and CEO of AKUGGI. With more than 18 years in the events industry, AJ’s career has taken him from FAN…
The Backdrop PodcastEpisode 14 - Christophe Draye, Founder and CEO of World Wide Wonders and Managing Partner of Scenaxis Group
In Episode 14 of The Backdrop, we sit down with Christophe Draye, one of the Middle East events industry’s Top 100 Most Influential People. Across more than 22…
The Backdrop PodcastEpisode 11 - Sankalp Sharma, CEO & Founder of Rayqube
Episode 11 of The Backdrop welcomes Sankalp Sharma, CEO and Founder of Rayqube Technology, for a conversation about how technology continues to redefine what…
The Backdrop PodcastEpisode 10 - Shams Moloo, Chief Development Officer at THA by Armonia
This episode of The Backdrop, Michael sits down with Shams Moloo, Chief Development Officer at THA by ARMONIA, to explore the relationship between people…
The Backdrop PodcastEpisode 9 - Andy Fordham, Endurance Events Pioneer and Founder of Clear Path
In Episode 9 of The Backdrop, Michael sits down with Andy Fordham, Founder of ClearPath and one of the world's most experienced endurance event operations…
The Backdrop PodcastEpisode 8 - Adam Parry, Founder of Event Tech Live
Episode 8 of The Backdrop features Adam Parry, Founder of Event Tech Live, one of the world's leading event technology exhibitions, returning this November at…
The Backdrop PodcastEpisode 7 - Jimi Elgohary, Co-Founder of Mistikal
Great events don't happen by accident—they begin with creativity, storytelling and a clear purpose. In Episode 7 of The Backdrop, Michael MacLennan is joined…
The Backdrop PodcastEpisode 6 - Stephen Wilson, Director of Events and Partnerships at Five Iron UAE
In this episode of The Backdrop, we sit down with Stephen Wilson, Head of Events and Partnerships at Five Iron, to explore how golf is evolving far beyond the…
The Backdrop PodcastEpisode 5 - Declan Meenan, Co-Founder and Director, Ogma Safety
Safety is one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of delivering successful events. In this episode, Michael MacLennan is joined by Declan Meenan…
The Backdrop PodcastEpisode 4 - Anju Gomes, Regional Director of ICCA
The business events industry plays a critical role in knowledge exchange, trade and economic growth. Anju Gomes joins the show to discuss the global meetings…
The Backdrop PodcastEpisode 3 - Paul Grinnall, 35 Year Global Events Industry Veteran
In the Events Industry - Paul Grinnall has seen it and done it all. With more than 35 years of experience across the global events industry, Paul Grinnall…
The Backdrop PodcastEpisode 2 - Nadim Jamal, Co-Founder Event Lab
Entrepreneur, innovator and industry disruptor Nadim Jamal discusses the changing landscape of experiential events, audience engagement and event technology…
The Backdrop PodcastEpisode 1 - Dr. Ray Tinston, Managing Director Middle East, Identity
In our debut episode, Michael sits down with Dr. Ray Tinston to explore the evolving role of events in economic development, destination positioning and…