Dubai’s latest and most flexible venue successfully hosts ‘What’s On’ awards to mark the beginning of a new era for entertainment and events in UAE
The curtain went up at the Middle East’s latest and most flexible venue earlier this week, hosting its inaugural event, the ‘What’s On’ awards.
The eighth annual ‘What’s On’ awards which were also celebrating the 30th anniversary of the ‘What’s On’ magazine, hosted a gala dinner for 1,000 guests at The Palladium for professionals from within the hospitality, leisure and entertainment industries.
Already dubbed a model for a new generation of combined entertainment and event venues, the Palladium management didn’t need any good luck wishes.
“Considering this event was our debut, from our perspective, the whole event was professionally managed and everything went according to plan. It gave us a chance to test all of our equipment ‘live’ and the lighting, sound systems, hydraulics, catering and other logistics came through with flying colours,” said Raymond Gaspar, General Manager.
The Palladium, built at a cost exceeding AED 250 million (US$68 million), is capable of staging everything from large scale theatre and musicals to rock and classical concerts; opera to exhibitions; weddings and banquets; and conferences to seminars.
“We already have interest from international promoters about bringing in Broadway and West End London plays and musicals as well as everything from circuses to ballet,” said Gaspar. “I am proud to say there is, quite simply, nothing like The Palladium anywhere in the Middle East and North Africa.”
Gaspar’s confidence in the world class facilities of The Palladium, which is located in Dubai Media City, was echoed by Ian Fairservice Managing Partner and Group Editor of Dubai-based Motivate Publishing. And after spending 30 years building a publishing empire in the UAE, he is no novice when it comes to evaluating a venue.
“The Palladium is truly unique in this region, I can’t think of another venue in the Middle East with such flexibility and potential - and I have worked with many of them,” he said.
“The Palladium has now raised the bar for entertainment and event venues; this will become the blueprint for the next generation of venues,” added Fairservice.
Indeed The Palladium was so impressive it was honoured during the ‘What’s On’ awards with a special award.
“I can’t ever remember any event destination receiving an award during its soft opening. What an accolade – it is praise indeed from industry professionals, which bodes well for the future,” remarked Gaspar.
With such glowing tributes and an award during its first event, The Palladium can now rightly take its place as one of the region’s premier multi-purpose entertainment and event venues.
