How I Built an Event Business in the Middle East
Overview
In 2008, John Schwartz moved his family to Abu Dhabi to start a Middle East division of the event production company he had co-founded in New York. Soon he was producing large events for the government of the United Arab Emirates. Schwartz shares stories of navigating the cultural and business differences between the American and Middle Eastern event industries.
Filmed live at the Event Innovation Forum at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in NYC.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand what’s involved in relocating an event business to a totally new environment.
- Learn about cultural idiosyncrasies involved in producing events in the Middle East.
- See examples of successfully produced mega events in the Middle East.

John Schwartz
John Schwartz founded EventQuest Middle East, the full-service experiential design and event marketing agency, with business partner Mark Veeder.
With over 20 years of experience serving corporate clients, John’s key focus is on client value in conjunction with creative thinking. He has built strong relationships with a diverse group of clients that includes Masdar, ENEC, UPC, Mercedes-Benz, Liz Claiborne, Lipitor, Sanofi, Condé Nast, Samsung, Chase, Chrysler, Citigroup and Dyson.
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