About the Event

The Connections Experiences on offer to accompany delegates’ one-on-one meetings included falconry, hand massages, going for a spin in a Formula 1 racing car, and a pit stop challenge. Attendees were give a whistle-stop tour of Abu Dhabi, and were whisked off to a range of amazing sites for their 40-minute meetings, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi theme park and Zaman Lawal Heritage Village, set in the desert. At the latter, they experienced the bedouin lifestyle – riding camels in tandem over sand dunes, opening pearl shells and learning how to prepare Arabic coffee. In the evenings, delegates were treated to an opulent dinner at Emirates Palace and an Arabian desert camp feast. Connections Luxury Abu Dhabi’s experiences were sponsored by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority. As well as their meetings, attendees benefited from an educational session “Building a Well World” from wellbeing expert and founder of NewCel Mobile Health Solutions, Celynn Erasmus, and a thought leadership session, “Technology Battlefield” from digital entrepreneur, Ewan MacLeod, sponsored by Feefo. In addition, Amadeus sponsored a round table discussion tackling the subject of “Building a more rewarding journey” for luxury travellers.

When & Where

06 - 09

Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi

Agenda

Monday, 31st August

Meet at suppliers table and choose an activity

Duration: 45 minutes

Connections Experience

Tuesday, 01st September

Connections experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Sunday, 06th September

VIP transfers - check in

Duration: All day

Informal drinks and dinner at Cipriani

Monday, 07th September

Optional activities

Duration: 2 hours

Breakfast

Duration: 1 hour

Opening with Micaela Giacobbe director of events & partners

Duration: 45 minutes

Meet at suppliers table and choose an activity

Duration: 45 minutes

Connections Experience

Meet at suppliers table and choose an activity

Duration: 45 minutes

Connections Experience

Business break

Duration: 15 minutes

Free time

Meet at suppliers table and choose an activity

Duration: 45 minutes

Connections Experience

Technology battlefield with Ewan MacLeod leading mobile technology expert

Duration: 1 hour

Connections group experience and lunch

Duration: 1:30 minutes

Meet at suppliers table and choose an activity1

Duration: 45 minutes

Connections Experience

Business break

Duration: 30 minutes

Free time

Meet at suppliers table and choose an activity

Duration: 45 minutes

Connections Experience

Meet at suppliers table and choose an activity

Duration: 45 minutes

Connections Experience

Free time

Duration: 45 minutes

Transfer

Duration: 30 minutes

Official drinks and tour of the Emirates Palace

Duration: 1 hour

Official dinner sponsored by Emirates Palace with entertainment by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

Duration: 1:45 minutes

Transfer to host hotel

Tuesday, 08th September

Optional activities

Duration: 1 hour

Breakfast

Duration: 30 minutes

Transfer to Ferrari World and briefing

Duration: 30 minutes

Connections experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Connections experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Connections experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Connections experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Lunch - Bulding a well world

Duration: 1 hour

Transfer to Yas Viceroy and delegates change for desert experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Transfer to desert camp

Duration: 1:30 minutes

Business break

Duration: 15 minutes

Free time

Connections debate ‘Building a more rewarding journey’

Duration: 1 hour

Connections experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Connections experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Connections experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Dinner and entertainment - An Arabian Feast

Duration: 2 hour

Tranfer to Viceroy

Duration: 1:30 minutes

Wednesday, 09th September

VIP transfers - check out

Dress Code

The Connections way works best when you embrace the experiences on offer. During the day we would advise that all delegates dress in comfortable/casual attire.

Suits and ties are not required

We all like you to look your best, but with our programme being active, suits may not work!

Think carefully about heels

Heels can be a problem if you want to join some of the activities on offer, so if you’re going to wear heels, consider bringing some flats too so you don’t miss out.

Weather

The average temperature in Abu Dhabi in October is likely to be 39°C, but please do check the weather before packing your suitcase.

We do advise that all delegates take their own necessities, which may include, medical supplies, etc.

Yas Viceroy, Abu Dhabi

During the Monday evening we will be hosting a Connections official dinner sponsored by Emirates Palace. Delegates are advised to wear smart casual clothes, no trainers.

We do advise that all delegates take their own necessities, which may include, insect repellent, sun cream, medical supplies, etc. Don’t forget your sun glasses!

Here are some of the activities you will be taking part in:

  • Arabic coffee roasting and making
  • Bathitha cooking
  • Calligraphy
  • Camel setup and ride to the oasis
  • Chicken-catching games
  • Cocktail masterclass
  • Cook your own lunch with masterchefs
  • Cotton candy station
  • Donkey cart driving
  • Drift Taxi at Yas Marina Circuit
  • Dry fish powder-making
  • Falconry
  • Fine wine decanting techniques
  • Fiorano GT challenge at Ferrari World
  • Formula Rossa
  • Galleria Ferrari
  • Goat milking
  • Hand massage
  • Introduction to Hubby Bubbly
  • Karting at Yas Marina Circuit
  • Meditation
  • Pearl shells opening
  • Pit-Stop challenge at Yas Marina Circuit
  • Saluki dog hunt games with rabbits
  • Scuderia challenge
  • Table games
  • Techniques for lighting up a cigar
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