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ASM Global has announced two significant appointments that to its business operations in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) Region.

The international venue management operator has first revealed the appointment of events industry specialist Martin McGougan as the group’s Regional Director Business Development for the MENA Region.

McGougan is a strategic events specialist with over 20 years in the business across the Middle East and Scotland who, over the last 10 years, has been based at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) helping to deliver the government’s Economic Vision 2030 through the development of core markets and the establishment of key business events.

As Head of Sales for ADNEC, McGougan led the Exhibition Sales Team to deliver outstanding results while also leading business strategy and strategic partnerships with government entities to deliver and support new markets.

He has developed key relationships with some of the largest event organisers in the world such as Reed, Informa and DMG to help them deliver their world class events in the MENA region.

Prior to moving to Abu Dhabi, McGougan was the Business Development Manager for Glasgow’s Scottish Event Campus, (SEC) the UK's largest integrated conference and exhibition centre.

In his new role at ASM Global, McGougan will be based in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh and will be tasked with identifying potential venue management opportunities across the region and be an integral part of the mobilisation team as new venues are secured. 

He will support also support venue general managers and their business development teams to deliver conference and exhibition growth across the region. 

ASM Global Executive Vice President, Asia & The MENA Region, Paul Sergeant OBE said McGougan’s international experience in driving economic growth through events is vital to his new role. Stating “part of Martin’s success over the past 20 years has been driven through a strategic alignment, and deep understanding, of how events can help grow not only a venue, but a city, country and region.”

Advising that he is excited about the potential for growth across the Middle East and North Africa and being able to welcome new venues to the ASM Global family, McGougan noted "I am thrilled my Middle East adventure continues with this move to Riyadh and delivering the very best in events for clients and visitors alike across a growing portfolio of ASM Global venues in the region.”

New General Manager at Saudi Arabia’s KAFD Conference Centre
ASM Global (APAC and MENA) has also announced the appointment of venue and entertainment industry specialist Santiago Olea into the role of General Manager of Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Conference Centre.

Olea brings over 10 years' experience across vital sports and entertainment venues and major events in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Dubai to the team.

He joins directly from the MBC Group, the largest media company in the Middle East and North Africa, where he was Chief Operating Officer for MBC Events helping them grow through excellence in event execution and cultivating strong, strategic alliances with vendors.

Prior to MBC, he managed venues for Live Nation in the Middle East where he developed and delivered the programming strategy in support of the venue’s artistic vision attracting national and international events of all genres.

In his new role as General Manager, Olea will lead the local leadership team to achieve the business plan and oversee and direct planning, operations and controls across all departments to ensure overall customer satisfaction, commercial compliance, and reporting in accordance with the Management Agreement, ASM Global governance requirements and statutory requirements.

Commenting on his new role, Olea advised “I am particularly looking forward to working with King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company and building solid partnerships with local financial event organisers, and the Riyadh community to create a thriving event ecosystem.”

Images: Martin McGougan (top left) and Santiago Olea and Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Conference Centre (below).

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