Expo 2020 Dubai: a chance to re-launch your corporate communication

Dubai is not only one of the world’s most important business destinations—thanks to its hospitality, its excellent infrastructure and services and its wide range of attractions—it also boasts the historic appeal of its past as a fishing village. And although it is often confused with the country as a whole, Dubai is in close proximity to the other six emirates which make up the country and come together to form one large metropolis.

Expo 2020 Dubai, to be held at last from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, goes beyond an opportunity for companies to forge agreements and develop brand identity by presenting scientific and technological advances, boosting cultural exchange and promoting the cities, regions and countries that characterise this event. It is also a chance to strengthen companies’ ties with shareholders, clients, suppliers and employees after more than a year of pandemic.

Corporate events on the occasion of Expo 2020

Over the course of 2020, countless companies had to postpone business deals, product launches, shareholder meetings, anniversary celebrations and other events. Expo 2020 Dubai is the perfect excuse to kick-start all pending operations and explore experiential marketing to reward the sacrifices you have had to ask from your stakeholders.

Thanks to their valuable agreements in the UAE, their local knowledge and their organisational and creative capacities, destination management companies (DMCs) are able to carefully design and diligently execute a travel plan in line with your company’s goals, budget and availability, as well as the number of attendees, their cultural background and tastes.

Memorable and meaningful settings

The United Arab Emirates boasts impressive venues for events and activities of any theme, from networking events to grandiose gala dinners. A destination manager with the right relationships finds locations that are usually out of reach to the general public and opens them up to companies. These include:

• One-of-a-kind urban buildings, such as the new Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai Opera or Emirates Palace. These are perfect for concerts and gala dinners.
• Exuberant hotels such as Armani Hotel, Bulgari Resort, Palazzo Versace and others. These allow you to add incentives like spa or shopping experiences, Michelin-starred culinary tastings and more to all kinds of corporate events, from shareholder meetings to conferences and receptions.
• Exorbitant private yachts can host events for more than a hundred people, including product launches, gala dinners and more, while cruising along the coastline and offering breath-taking views of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and more.
• Hidden luxury villas on the outskirts appeal to sustainable luxury, including Al Barari, which blends an Arabian approach to hospitality with the boho-chic lifestyle. They offer an exclusive setting sought by the most demanding companies for small-scale events such as dinners and private parties and feature organic restaurants and elite lounge bars, infinity pools, lake and garden views, urban art décor and more.
• Lavish private islands on the artificial archipelago off the coast of Dubai provide maximum privacy for events of any kind, as well as activities such as kitesurfing, helicopter rides, boat trips and absolutely anything else you can imagine.

The touch of creativity that sets authentic luxury apart

Those who pay for luxurious events and experiences take for granted first-class flights, five-star hotels, indulgent cuisine and flawless planning. This means that, if you want your company’s attenders to live an authentic, immaculate experience at Expo 2020 Dubai, creativity is an essential added value.

• A five-star flight will remain etched in travellers’ memories if the food is not only excellent, but it also comes with their favourite dessert or includes a once-in-a-lifetime experience such as a special caviar tasting not found anywhere else.
• An event such as a gala dinner will rise above all others by incorporating not only Michelin-starred catering, but also the Michelin-starred chef who curated it at the helm. What’s more, if the dinner is held on the occasion of your company’s anniversary, you can surprise attendees with superb gifts, such as limited edition luxury spa items or the chance to drive a Ferrari, or wow them at the end of the trip by sending them on their way with a bottle of the same wine everyone was raving about at dinner.
• Attending a private showroom can be a unique experience if it features a brand new collection, but even more so if it offers the chance to customise garments that will never be sold again or while enjoying a brand new brunch concept that few have tried.
• Treating attendees to an upgrade on their stay at the hotel to accommodate their family while the corporate event takes place will be even more memorable if they have can take advantage of a babysitting service without having to request it on their own. Or you can offer them other perks like personalised games at the hotel, tickets to theme parks and more.
• Many companies want to take it one step further: if the occasion coincides with the wedding anniversary of an executive or an employee, they might go as far as to make a special romantic dinner reservation for the happy couple on the 27th floor of the Burj Al Arab, complete with spectacular views; or if the trip takes place on the days following their wedding, companies can surprise the newly-weds with a honeymoon in a luxury resort in the desert, like the Al Maha. There, guests can enjoy safaris, wellness programs (yoga, spa, archery, etc.), camel tours, falconry and more.

Expo 2020 Dubai and the COVID-19 pandemic

More than 190 countries have confirmed their attendance at an event that, despite not being held in 2020, retains its name and is distinguished by three thematic areas—Opportunity, Sustainability and Mobility—and the slogan “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”. More than ten million foreign visitors are expected during the six-month period, which poses a challenge to security and health. Despite this, the Emirati authorities affirm that it will guarantee both.

Inside the pavilions, there will be strict capacity limits, attendees with have their temperature checked, masks must be worn, safety distances must be maintained (with markings on the floor), the facilities will be regularly sanitised and hand disinfection points will available throughout (consult all the information on this official page). A negative PCR test will also be required to enter the Emirates, and airlines will also require a negative test in the country of origin before travelling. Everything is in place to make sure attendees get the most out of this event.

Lastly, DMCs like Empirance offer health insurance plans from the best insurers to prevent unforeseen events related to COVID-19. These policies include discounts on PCR tests, medical expenses in case of being diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 and compensation for mandatory quarantine periods during travel, among other coverages.