The countdown to one of the region’s most prestigious celebrations of experiential brilliance has begun. The WOW Awards Middle East 2025, returning to the Festival Arena at Dubai Festival City on October 3, 2025, has officially unveiled its esteemed jury panel, featuring industry leaders and veterans from across the event, marketing, and brand experience spectrum.
With a two-phased judging process audited and validated by EY, the WOW Awards Middle East maintains its position as the region’s most credible recognition platform for the experiential industry. Each jury member is chosen for their complementing expertise, deep industry knowledge, and proven track record, ensuring fair and insightful evaluation.
This year, awards will be presented across 49 categories under four core segments: Experiential Marketing, Experiential Celebrations, Experiential Management, and Experiential Venue.
Experiential Marketing, known as Group A, encompasses campaigns, events, activities, and initiatives by brands, corporations, associations, government bodies, etc., aimed at promotion, communication, and marketing.
The esteemed Jury of Experiential Marketing Group are:
Ajit Johnson – Head of Marketing & Communications – Comera Pay
Marketing strategist with a decade of experience in global brand building, integrated campaigns, and stakeholder engagement. Currently shaping the growth of UAE’s emerging cashless payments leader.
Daniel Fewtrell – Managing Director – Stratos Pulse FZ-LLC
Events and marketing leader with two decades at ITP Media Group, creating award-winning conferences and awards. Now heads Stratos Pulse, delivering live and virtual experiences for commerce.
Darren J Kerr (DK) – Fractional CXO – The Clear Path Collective
Award-winning experiential marketer and strategist. Led the design and delivery of COP28 on behalf of the UN and UAE government.
Experiential Celebrations known as Group B includes various aspects of weddings, celebratory and social events. It is all about the full series of functions, celebrations, and ceremonies as part of a wedding, a milestone or any social event including all aspects of Entertainment, Décor, F&B, etc.
The esteemed Jury of Experiential Celebrations Group are:
Andy Cuthbert – President – Worldchefs & Emirates Culinary Guild
Hospitality leader with over three decades in Dubai, overseeing luxury hotels, catering, and events for Jumeirah Group. Recently elected President of Worldchefs for 2024–2028.
Dr. Ali Hasan Follad – Advisor, CEO’s Office – Bahrain Tourism & Exhibition Authority
Economist and tourism advocate credited with positioning Bahrain as a wedding destination. A champion of handicrafts, he holds a PhD in Economics from Edinburgh Napier University.
Bharat M Harpalani – Founder & Owner – Ace Ventures / Aks Nights
Event entrepreneur passionate about blending emotion, technology, and storytelling. Known for crafting memorable, people-centric experiences.
Nadine Farrag – CEO – WeddingsOnline & Farahy
Marketing and events leader with dual MBAs and a track record of award-winning campaigns. Combines business acumen with a deep passion for wedding and celebration planning.
Experiential Management Awards known as Group C celebrates efforts in production and event technical’s by supplier partners. This category includes only service providers without the inclusion of agencies. Delivery of end-to-end production of an event while overcoming execution challenges and delivery of unique/ highly technical/ superior lighting design solutions at an event is also a part of this category and recognizes the efforts in lighting, trussing, tent solutions, SFX/pyrotechnic, projection mapping, design-construct/fabrication, hospitality/logistic, catering solutions and show running / stage management.
The esteemed Jury of Experiential Management Group are:
John Jossifakis, CSEP – Head of Events & Ceremonies – AFC Asian Cup 2027, LOC Riyadh KSA
Ceremonies expert with 25+ years in Asia, producing over 10 Olympic-scale shows and 2,000+ events in 100+ countries.
Michail Panagiotakis – Executive Director – Events – Viola Communications
Veteran events professional with 30+ years’ experience in the GCC. Known for shaping large-scale activations and impactful brand experiences.
Under the Venues Group, which encompasses Hotel & Venue (Group D), the focus is on recognizing the finest MICE & Wedding Venues across the Middle East. This category celebrates excellence in Business Events, Intimate Weddings, Lifestyle/Luxury Events, Big Fat Weddings, and Convention Centers.
The esteemed Jury of Experiential Venues Group are:
Arun Bablani – Owner & Founder – Vivaah Weddings
Global luxury wedding planner with events curated in 30+ countries. Known for bespoke, high-end celebrations that blend creativity with cultural detail.
Mohammed Ibrahim Murad – Managing Partner – Tanseeq Event Organisers
Entrepreneur with over 27 years’ leadership experience across EMS management, HR development, and strategic planning. A retired Lt. Colonel from Dubai Police, he now leads Tanseeq, one of the GCC’s top
Entries for the WOW Awards Middle East 2025 are now officially open, with the final submission deadline set for August 25, 2025. Eventfaqs Media, the organisers of WOW Awards, expect record participation this year, building on the success of the 2024 edition, which attracted 306 entries from across the Middle East.
The WOW Awards Middle East has become a benchmark for recognising innovation, creativity, and effectiveness in brand experiences, live communication, event design, and venue excellence. The awards not only honour outstanding work but also bring together agencies, creators, and professionals shaping the future of the region’s dynamic event industry.
