How to select great event opportunities?

UAE now hosts some of the world's most reputed industry events across various sectors with professionals and business leaders from across the globe visiting the country to be part of the industry dialogue.

Oil and gas, information technology, manufacturing, construction, security, plastics, F&B, entertainment and even the consumer stationery businesses can now choose from a host of event options. The industry events calendar in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is so busy that it is common to see multiple events running alongside at the same venue.

With so many events being organized for each sector, and each one of them claiming to offer great networking, visibility and knowledge sharing opportunities, how do you cut through the clutter to identify the ones that really matter and will eventually be beneficial for your business?

Here are some tips to get you started.

The agenda: A careful study of the events' agenda, discussion and speaking topics can immediately help you distinguish between the ordinary and insightful. A good industry event will feature discussion topics that do not just state the obvious; they would instead be aimed at collectively identifying the next big opportunity and ways to leverage the same. If you are not feeling challenged looking at the agenda, then that's one box not ticked.

Meritorious Content vs. Paid speaking slot: The credibility of any industry event rests a lot on the unique information or experience that it is known to provide. Its companies such as yours who bring that valuable information to the event. So, if you are trying to secure participation at an event basis great content but you are instead being asked to buy your way in, then that's a clear no go sign.

Exhibitor and attendee profile: If this is not the first edition of the event then review the profile of the past exhibitors, sponsors and visitors. Look at two previous years' participation trends. See if this set of audience is relevant for your business. You should also see if some top names continued with their participation or they pulled out. Feel free to ask the organizer about why that happened.

Media reportage: Daily, trade and business media usually decide in advance the industry events that they will be covering more in depth. This does not include the media titles who carry sponsored features and supplements. Do a quick internet search to understand the kind of reportage an event has been receiving in the past. Good content attracts everyone including the media.

Industry events can indeed prove to be great platforms for showcasing your innovations, networking and even presenting your company as a knowledge leader. A targeted and well researched approach will help you achieve all of these.