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Mangusteen’ s vision comes to life at Qatar Event Show 2025
n a region rapidly
I emerging as a global player in business and cultural events, this September’ s inaugural Qatar Event Show 2025 made a powerful statement. Held at the Doha Exhibition & Convention Center, the event marked a turning point for Qatar and the wider GCC, blending innovation, strategic partnerships, and highimpact engagement.
A milestone first edition“ The debut of the Qatar Event Show 2025 was nothing short of a milestone,” said Malik Shishtawi, founder and CEO of Mangusteen, the driving force behind the event. With 36 exhibitors, 2,832 visitors, 30 world-class speakers, and 203 VIP delegates, the show exceeded expectations in both scale and substance.
What truly set the event apart was the quality of engagement.“ Sessions were buzzing, conversations flowed, and opportunities turned into business,” Shishtawi noted. According to post-event surveys, over 90 % of exhibitors rated their experience as‘ very satisfied’, while more than 80 % praised pre-event communication, venue facilities, and booth setup.
Beyond the buzz, the show delivered tangible outcomes.“ The show wasn’ t just about talk; it was about action,” Shishtawi emphasised. Over the three days, multi-year agreements were signed between TSE and Mangusteen,
as well as Eques Holding and Mangusteen, securing collaboration for the next three editions of the show.
Exhibitors saw real commercial success, with over 70 % achieving their main goals, particularly in brand exposure, networking, and lead generation.“ Some companies generated over 100 qualified leads,” Shishtawi revealed,“ proving that the event delivers business impact, not just visibility.”
Themes that reflect a transforming industry The 2025 edition centred around three bold themes:
1. The Future of Events as an Economic Engine
2. Industry Deep Dives on a Single Stage 3. Skills, Innovation & the Global Outlook“ These themes mirror the industry’ s transformation in the region,” Shishtawi explained.“ The takeaway is crystal clear: the GCC is no longer just participating in the events industry, it’ s shaping it.”
A strategic contribution to national vision The Qatar Event Show aligns closely with Qatar National Vision 2030, supporting goals around economic diversification, sustainability, and human capital development.“ It builds Qatar’ s reputation as a global hub for business events,” said Shishtawi. Mangusteen’ s regional footprint – spanning Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, with active memberships in UFI, ICCA, and IAEE – further reinforces this positioning.
“ For many exhibitors, this was the first time showcasing to an audience of this scale in Qatar,” he added.“ And the results confirmed the market’ s strength.”
Innovation at every turn Technological and strategic innovations were front and centre. Gulfcraft and Art of Fiber introduced modular stand designs using sustainable materials, while Premagic debuted facial recognition for instant access to postevent photos. A glambot camera added cinematic flair, creating red-carpetstyle content that lit up social media.
“ The focus on interactivity – from gamification to skill-based masterclasses – ensured attendees left with knowledge, contacts, and unforgettable experiences,” Shishtawi said. Exhibitor feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with over 80 % rating engagement opportunities as‘ excellent’ or‘ good’.
Looking ahead Shishtawi is already looking to the future.“ We will scale up international participation, expand sector-specific deep-dives, and bring even more innovations to the floor,” he promised. Encouragingly, over 85 % of exhibitors confirmed they would return.
The next edition of the Qatar Event Show is scheduled for 1 – 3 September 2026, once again at the Doha Exhibition & Convention Center. Full details are available at qatareventshow. com. EW
32 Issue 5 2025 www. exhibitionworld. co. uk