Dubai is setting the stage for tech adoption

UAE - Whenever a major event approaches, a state of anticipation takes over, whether we are representing an entity, engaging as a speaker, or just attending it. No matter how many years we do it, our never-ending pursuit of excellence always makes us feel as if it were our very first time. With the 'new normal' and Covid-19's effect on events and life in general, it has become even more challenging.

Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic started taking roots about a year back, there has been a notable rise of virtual events. I and my colleagues noticed that more recently people have started questioning the efficacy of such virtual events, and also how organisations and participants could elevate their events and participation beyond simply being a frame or a presentation in video calls? Participants at virtual events are nowadays comparing their new experience with real events as was the norm previously. I believe we are at a stage in the UAE where we must look at data to answer these types of questions, and this is the purpose of this week's Data Moments article.

In the UAE, we are blessed to have a wise leadership that sees new opportunities as a gateway to much bigger achievements. This can be seen in the twin-pronged approach - their decision to reopen the 'real' events sector in Dubai with strict guidelines on one hand, as well as taking bold steps to ensure that Dubai becomes a leading city in the virtual events arena as well .

Deploying the latest developments in data science to analyse information about events is increasingly gaining more traction in Dubai. This data analysis is needed so that we can achieve a substantial leap in streamlining business and promoting events on ground or virtually.

This brings me to a recent initiative launched by the Executive Office of Dubai - a unified events portal. By consolidating all the data about Dubai's events on a single platform, there is an unprecedented opportunity to quantify the economic significance of the city's events sector, leveraging existing platforms and Dubai Pulse.

Such a step will enable organisers to better plan, improve coordination and communication, take appropriate actions, and realise higher returns. This will also allow decision-makers to make data-backed, strategic, and intelligent decisions. Additionally, various business sectors in the emirate will be able to plan properly in order to derive better economic returns from the large numbers of participants who take part in Dubai's different events. The benefits are manifold indeed!

Regardless of the event, I believe that the answers to the aforesaid questions should be evaluated using data. With such a scientific approach, the world continues to look up to Dubai for planning and delivering events of the highest calibre. What do you think?

Younus Al Nasser is Assistant Director General of Smart Dubai and CEO of the Dubai Data Establishment