Interview: BTS director Paul Grinnall

ATN speaks to new Business Travel Show Middle East exhibition director, Paul Grinnall, about his new role.

ATN: What was your previous role?
I’ve always been involved in the media industry and have worked in many Middle Eastern countries. I’ve been living in the Middle East for five years and thrived on all the challenges this region has to offer.

I have held various senior management positions and worked with many of the region’s major corporations and governments, all of which makes me very comfortable with my new surroundings.

ATN: What attracted you to this role?
Honestly? Working with [Centaur Exhibitions B2B director] Mike Sherrard again. We worked for the same company many years ago organising a number of shows — it was a great time and hard work, which made for a very rewarding workplace and an enduring friendship.

I would also add, at the risk of being obvious, that the Middle East really needs to get out there and do business now. The world is no longer coming to us.

The best way to do that is get out of the office and see your customers and finding the most efficient and economic way to do that is what this show’s all about.

ATN: What is your exhibition background?
I have organised live events internationally such as the world’s largest coin operated amusement and casino shows; the largest attractions exhibition in Europe and visitor attractions shows with the British and English tourism boards.

Locally I organised STTIM, the Worldwide Property Show (WPS), Rental & Resale Show (R&R), Middle East and Asia leadership Forum (MEALF), Asian CEO Leadership Forum (ACLF), Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF) and Turbo & Adrenaline Sports LIVE amongst others.

ATN: What are the prospects for this year’s show?
The outlook is positive because there is clearly a need for this event in this marketplace. It has worked very well in the past and we know that when times are tough, it is important for businesses to continue to travel to meet their colleagues and customers.

Companies will continue to manage travel spend and the show will remain an important place for them to go to see the leading suppliers and to stay in-the-know about this industry.

ATN: What do you hope to achieve in this new role?
I want to stage a successful, well attended and valuable exhibition with representatives from leading suppliers, niche service providers and SMEs that will drive the economy of the region and can grow with the increasing success of BTS ME.

However, I also want to keep the intimacy of a boutique event has and engage the suppliers and buyers with a show Advisory Board, which would allow the industry to really contribute to its own event and future.

ATN: What are the biggest challenges you will face?
There is still economic uncertainty making it easier for companies not to spend money. But apathetic companies will fall behind theircompetitors making recovery much harder. This is the biggest challenge.

There’s only one solution — to get out into the marketplace, see clients in their offices and meet customers face-to-face to do business.