features: latest magazine features: Meeting at Jumeirah
Meeting at Jumeirah
The Jumeirah brand has been a frontrunner for innovation and design since its first property opened in 1997. The brand’s ‘Stay Different’ philosophy extends across its portfolio, which currently stretches to three continents with more new openings on the horizon. To stay at the forefront of the meeting and incentive business, Jumeirah has launched a new way to differentiate itself from its competitors in Dubai.
“An exciting new development for Jumeirah is the creation of a very unique one-point-of-contact system for meeting and incentive planners,” says Carl Palmlund, director of sales, groups, Jumeirah Group. “Our one-stop-shop approach creates more flexible conditions, a customised offering, and ultimately a better return on investment.”
Jumeirah’s properties have come together to provide the customer with one point of contact offering a diverse portfolio of options for meetings, conferences, incentives and accommodation. Madinat Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers and Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa are now positioned as a combined groups offering.
Groups booking a meeting or incentive will benefit tremendously by having one point of contact especially for large-scale programmes. Incentive planners and conference organisers will only have to deal with one person, one proposal, one contract and one set of streamlined and comprehensive terms and conditions for all properties.
“This was a natural move considering the proximity of the hotels and the way the products complement each other. Our properties cover the three unique elements of Dubai,” explains Palmlund. “We have beachside offerings like Madinat Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Burj Al Arab, all connected in one destination. Madinat Jumeirah offers the true Arabic experience, and Burj Al Arab is something beyond the ordinary in terms of luxury. At Bab Al Shams you can have a totally different stay out in the desert, the true ‘1001 Arabian Nights’ experience, which could be combined with our city property, Jumeirah Emirates Towers in the heart of downtown Dubai. This diversity is ‘Stay Different’.
“But we also have colleagues from more than 100 nations around the world and in combination with our unique properties and how we deliver our service, being culturally connected, that is really the ‘Stay Different’ philosophy,” says Palmlund. “It is something unique for our meeting, conference or incentive guests and it is something we are really proud to deliver and that makes the difference in the total experience of staying with Jumeirah.”
Venue value
By grouping its properties Jumeirah can now offer an extensive range of hotel experiences and over 6,000 square metres of event venues at once.
Burj Al Arab is a highly exclusive property with opulent venues including the palatial, two-tiered, circular Al Falak ballroom decorated in the style of an 18th century Viennese Opera House, with Swarovski crystals and 18-carat gold leaf furnishings, that can accommodate up to 350 guests. There are also multiple boardrooms and break-out rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the shoreline and the sea, as well as the Assawan Amphitheatre ideal for cocktail receptions for up to 100 guests.
At Jumeirah Beach Hotel, both the Safinah Ballroom, which can accommodate banquets and conferences for up to 1,500 guests, and the Meyana Auditorium, a 416-seat tiered conference auditorium, are located in the stand-alone conference centre outside the hotel. Located on the beach in front of the Burj Al Arab, the Beachcomber Gardens - for intimate gatherings - and the Events Arena - for larger events - are impressive and scenic outdoor venues.
Madinat Jumeirah, The Arabian Resort offers a broad scope of venues comfortably fulfilling the capacity or quality criteria for almost any event. The Madinat Arena, a multi-purpose venue built around a large lagoon, can accommodate up to 4,550 people. For outdoor venues, the Amphitheatre at Souk Madinat Jumeirah has a seating capacity of 1,000, while Fort Island situated in the centre of the lagoon can host up to 180 guests. Ballrooms and boardrooms with flexible planning variations fill out the Madinat Conference Hall which covers a total of 3,600 square metres.
Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa is an enchanting oasis retreat that offers unique meetings options that combine rich Arabic culture with a serene, picturesque environment. The Falcon meeting rooms can accommodate from 16 to 36 delegates, while the outdoor venues such as the Al Faris Terrace, Falcon and Masala Courtyards and Rooftop Lounge bring the desert to life. The nearby Endurance City has indoor meeting rooms that can cater for 50-300 guests, while the outdoor venues can cater for up to 5,000. Recent events held at Endurance City have attracted ministers, VIPs and royalty.
JumeirahEmirates Towershas the stylish Godolphin Ballroom which can entertain 600 guests for banquets and up to 1,000 for a cocktail reception. The Level 8 Private Room is ideal for social breakfasts or evening cocktails for up to 100 guests. Smaller seminars and board meetings can be held in the multiple congress rooms or if you prefer outdoor venues, the Mosaico, Tokyo, Boulevard and Rooftop terraces all boast top amenities and excellent views of the cityscape and the royal palace stables.
This variety adds contrast and diversity to a programme. For example, delegates can combine a traditional desert dining experience at Jumeirah Bab al Shams with a relaxing beach activity at Jumeirah Beach Hotel during leisure periods for a business group hosting meetings in Jumeirah Emirates Towers.
“This approach not only offers our clients a tailor-made, memorable and unique experience, but it also allows for more streamlined communication and service. Furthermore, by having a larger portfolio to choose from there is a wider range of availability for clients, thus providing more flexibility with date options for planners,” adds Palmlund.
