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ADNEC Group wins at AEO Excellence Awards

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Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) has won two awards at the annual Association of Event Organisers (AEO) Excellence Awards ceremony. The industry awards, held on July 4 at Grosvenor House, London, recognised ADNEC Group’s Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre as ‘Most Sustainable Exhibition and Conference Venue’, and ExCeL London as ‘Best Venue of the Year’.

“ADNEC continues to play a key role in supporting Abu Dhabi’s vision to become a leading global business tourism destination,” says His Excellency Al Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Managing Director, ADNEC. “The company’s flagship venues in two key capital cities, London and Abu Dhabi, are at the vanguard of a new age of exhibition facilities. These awards are recognition of that fact, and of the hard work, visionary leadership and solid expertise both have to offer.”

Pieter Idenburg, Group CEO at ADNEC adds, “We are delighted with the recognition our venues continue to attract from our global event industry peers. The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre has prioritised its sustainability strategy as a key pillar of its growth and development over the next ten years. ExCeL London has shown that even in such a competitive region for meetings and events, it is out-competing its peers both in the UK and across Europe – pushing the boundaries of the event experience. It is a credit to London and an investment we are extremely proud of.”

Stacie Overton Johnson joins The National

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Stacie Overton Johnson has been appointed as Food Writer for The National. Stacie brings with her 9 years of freelance experience, having worked previously as a freelance television producer in the USA before relocating to Abu Dhabi in 2013, and prior to this as a full-time producer for 6 years. In her new position, Stacie will contribute several food articles a week about a variety of food-related topics in the UAE, from restaurant openings and major food competitions, to up and coming chefs in the UAE and food reviews.

“I’m having a great time working with the Arts & Life team at The National,” says Stacie. “They’ve all been very welcoming and the energy in the office is great. After freelancing for so long, I’ve found myself excited to get back into a proper office. I prefer newspaper writing to television writing, as it’s far more fulfilling. It’s easier to write a story you’re happy with – you don’t have the time constraints that comes with writing a television news story, and I can’t wait to throw myself into the UAE’s culinary world.”

Ahlan! Awards Abu Dhabi 2014 winners revealed

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The winners of the Ahlan! Awards Abu Dhabi 2014 were announced yesterday during an awards party held at 01NE Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The annual celebration presented 16 awards to Abu Dhabi’s most sought-after attractions, businesses and personalities, and were selected by Ahlan! readers through nominations which were split into two phases, initially voting for a longlist and nominating again to compile the shortlist.

The winners of the Ahlan! Awards Abu Dhabi 2014 included: Best Hotel – Emirates Palace; Best Fine Dining – Zuma, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi; Best Visitor Attraction – Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque; Best Shopping Mall – Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi; Best Brunch – Friday Marina Brunch, Intercontinental, Abu Dhabi; Best Sporting Event – Abu Dhabi F1; Best Spa – Anantara Spa, Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara; Best Music Event – The Rolling Stones (February 2014); Best Ladies Night – Jazz Bar & Dining, Hilton Abu Dhabi; Best Radio DJ – Kris Fade (The Kris Fade Show, Virgin Radio Dubai); Best Bar – Jazz Bar & Dining, Hilton Abu Dhabi; Best Club DJ – DJ Rabih Karam (aka DJ Angelo); Best Nightclub – 01NE, Yas Island; Best Personality – Kris Fade, Virgin Radio Dubai and Publisher’s Recognition Award – Harmeek Singh, PLAN B.

Robert Chilton promoted to Senior Editor

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Robert Chilton has been promoted to Senior Editor of What’s On Dubai and What’s On Abu Dhabi. Previously Deputy Editor, Robert will continue to direct the What’s On team, in addition to editing, writing, conducting interviews, reviewing restaurants and maintaining his Thursday morning slot on the Catboy and Geordiebird Breakfast Show on Dubai 92.

“Today is my one year anniversary of moving to Dubai to join What’s On,” says Robert. “I’ve loved every minute of my 365 days here and I’m chuffed to become Senior Editor of What’s On Dubai and What’s On Abu Dhabi – two great magazines for two great cities.”

Mohammed Halawi promoted at PHD Abu Dhabi

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Mohammed Halawi has been promoted to the position of General Manager at PHD Abu Dhabi, the media agency network division of the Omnicom Media Group. Previously in the role of Planning Director and employed at PHD since 2003, Mohammed will now lead the PHD Abu Dhabi office,  spurring further growth by actively contributing to both clients and teams’ performance.

“It’s a tremendous honour but also a great responsibility to have been promoted to this role,” says Mohammed.”Based on the journey so far, I can only look forward to what is ahead of us. My ambition is to continue to create an environment that will stimulate the growth and performance of our clients, our teams, as well as all our business partners.”

Elda Choucair, Managing Director of PHD UAE adds, “Mohammed has developed an in-depth understanding of the unique features and challenges of the Abu Dhabi market and is ideally prepared to lead our operation in the capital. With his passion, dedication and commitment to drive business forward, I am confident he will sustain the virtuous circle we have seen in Abu Dhabi. On a more personal note, I am thrilled to see someone as talented as Mohammed rise through the ranks to ultimately assume leadership. It’s hugely gratifying and a vivid expression of our focus on talent.”

Ultratravel Middle East trebles circulation

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Ultratravel Middle East has announced it will vastly increase its circulation effective from the Spring issue, available from March 20, 2014. The magazine will treble its print run, with over 174,000 copies to be released in separate Arabic and English editions.

Two major newspapers will carry the bulk of distribution, with 109,000 Arabic copies being delivered with Al Ittihad and 65,000 English copies going out with The National. Additional copies are to be released in high-end golf resorts, spas and hotels.

“The increase in circulation reflects what an exciting market this is,” says Adam Portingale, Associate Publisher, Ultratravel Middle East. “Even if we halved our new circulation, it would still be by far the biggest luxury travel and lifestyle magazine in the region.”

Chris Newbould joins The National

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Chris Newbould has been appointed as Film Correspondent for The National’s Arts & Life section, covering regional and international festivals, the Middle Eastern film industry and all the latest Hollywood, Bollywood and international releases. Previously Editor of Digital Studio Middle East, Chris has covered TV, film and music writing in the UK for The Guardian’s City Life and Weekend Guide.

“Having covered the regional film industry for Digital Studio since 2010, I hope to hit the ground running in my new role,” says Chris. “There are big ambitions for film making in the Middle East at the moment, particularly in the UAE. I’m looking forward to building on the relationships I already have, as well as expanding my remit both locally and internationally, for one of the region’s most respected publications.”