NEWS: APPOINTMENTS
CTME expands Venue Services department with dual appointments
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MIDDLE EAST
Dailos Rodriguez Creative Technology Middle East (CTME) has announced two new additions to its newly formed Venue Services department. Dailos
Rodriguez has recently joined the company as the venue operations manager for the Venue Services department, while Mark Johnson joins in the role of business development manager for the new department. Rodriguez possesses 24 years’ experience in the hospitality and audiovisual industry and has worked across multiple venues. He has secured various high-profile contracts during his time and implemented in-house audiovisual services for some of the Middle East’s biggest hotel chains. Having already built up two successful AV venue services companies in the past, Rodriguez’s knowledge and skillset make him a great addition to the team, says CTME. “It is a great honour joining the CT team, and I look forward to getting started on the variety of fantastic projects we already have lined up,” he commented.
Mark Johnson With 19 years’ experience in the audiovisual hospitality industry, Johnson also brings a wealth of knowledge and
experience to his role as business development manager. During his time, he has secured several large-scale contracts across various venues and has been a key factor in the growth and development of many different audiovisual venue services throughout the region. His ability to provide clients with the right technology to suit their needs and understanding of venue requirements across the Middle East is said to make him per fect for the role. “It’s very endearing to be a part of Creative Technology’s new Venue Services department from conception,” commented Johnson. “I look forward to accomplishing many new firsts with CTME.”
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www.ctme.co
Paul Hadfield joins Area Four Industries Middle East MIDDLE EAST
Industry veteran Paul Hadfield has joined Area Four Industries Middle East (A4IME) as its new sales manager. Hadfield is well known in the region having worked as distributor manager for the Prolyte Group for the last decade, extensively travelling the region while looking after the company’s UK, African and Middle East sales networks. “With Paul joining our young enthusiastic team, we benefit from many years of industry experience and technical knowhow,” commented A4IME general manager, Kevin Boujikian. “We are extremely pleased to have him as part of the Area Four Industries Middle East family and look forward to developing the business further together and supporting our customers across the Middle East region.” Working in the industry for the past 20 years, Hadfield has held a number of previous technical sales roles with trussing and rigging manufacturers throughout his career, including TOMCAT, PCM (now Lift Turn Move), AC Entertainment Technologies
and Litestructures, which then became part of the Prolyte Group. “During my time looking after the Middle East, I developed a very good friendship with Kevin Boujikian of Provision AVL, Prolyte’s regional distributor,” commented Hadfield. “Then the pandemic overtook our world and devastated our beloved industry. Kevin and I kept in touch during those early days of the Covid era and, when I departed Prolyte at the end of summer, I discussed joining him and the team at a newly formed company, A4IME.” With Prolyte having been acquired by Area Four Industries and incorporated into its group of brands in late 2019, Hadfield’s extensive prior experience with the Dutch trussing brand made him the ideal addition to the A4IME team. “Being part of A4IME feels like a very natural progression for my career and life and I have relocated to Dubai to help the team and to support the regional industry growth,” added Hadfield. “There’s plenty to be excited about being here in the
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“I lea and ma as sai ach tha cur fut In Ra now L–R: Kevin Boujikian and Paul Hadfield region at the moment – Dubai EXPO, which is just around the corner, Qatar World Cup 2022 and KSA 2030 Vision, as well as all the new venue installations that we are involved in at present. And all of this is not even taking in account live events when
they can restart again. I’m relishing the challenges ahead and delighted to be here as part of an exciting future for Area Four Industries Middle East.” www.areafourindustries.me
Steven Simpson to manage ME market for Datapath MIDDLE EAST
Former Mitsubishi Middle East BDM and projects manager Steven Simpson has moved to Datapath and will take charge of managing the Middle East market as the company’s new Middle East sales and account manager. Having lived and worked in the region for over 17 years, Simpson brings extensive experience to the position. His remit includes UAE, KSA, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt, where he will manage Datapath’s key accounts while expanding its customer base with new oppor tunities. With successful spells both in sales and project management, his CV includes
Steven Simpson
previous tenures with Crestron and, more recently, Mitsubishi. “Datapath have worked closely with Mitsubishi over the past eight years and, from both a people and product perspective, I know the Datapath team ver y well,” he commented. “Throughout this time, I have been impressed with their reliability and suppor t in general and so I’m ver y happy to come and work for a company that, as well as making great products, places such impor tance on customer ser vice.” Datapath’s VP global sales, David Griffiths, added his satisfaction on bringing Simpson to the team: “I have
known Steve for several years from his time at Mitsubishi and I’m delighted to have his extensive experience with us here at Datapath. His knowledge of AV markets in the Middle East is second to none and we are thrilled to have him join our global team. “Projects in the Middle East continue to receive investment and the market shows steady growth despite the challenges of Covid-19,” Griffiths added. “We are wholly confident we have the right person in place to drive the Datapath brand throughout the region.” www.datapath.co.uk
26 PRO AVL MEA May–June 2021
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