The Backdrop Podcast

The events industry is one of the world's most dynamic and influential sectors, yet the stories, ideas, challenges and innovations behind it often happen behind closed doors. This podcast opens that door.

Recorded in One Central, Dubai, and released weekly in a concise 30-minute format, the show brings together the people who shape the conferences, summits, sporting events, festivals, concerts, diplomatic gatherings and major global platforms that connect industries, governments and communities.

Hosted by Michael MacLennan, with production led by Dan Powell and marketing and communications managed by Elle Semine, each episode features candid conversations with some of the industry's most experienced and respected voices. From event strategy and destination development to technical production, design, décor, strategic communications, protocol, safety, security, partnerships and investment, no aspect of the event ecosystem is off limits.

The podcast explores how events drive tourism, stimulate trade, attract investment and create environments where ideas are born, tested and transformed into action. Whether the focus is public sector initiatives, private sector innovation, association-led programmes or institutional gatherings, the discussion goes beyond logistics to uncover the broader impact events have on economies, industries and society.

This is not a podcast about what happens on stage. It is about everything that happens before, behind and beyond it.

Whether you are an event professional, policymaker, venue operator, marketer, strategist, supplier, investor or simply fascinated by how major events come to life, this is your opportunity to hear directly from the people making it happen.

Every event has a story. Every expert has a perspective. Every conversation offers a new way of looking at an industry that brings the world together.