Rami Al Akawi

Hired to run the project: "GameJam2024"; a 3 day game development competition for students followed by an awards ceremony with sponsors and VIPs invited to attend.

SOW:

Pre-Event Planning

• Initial meeting to discuss the event vision and objectives
• Develop an event plan and budget
• Secure venue and vendors (catering, decor, entertainment)

Event Design

• Create event theme and handle decor arrangements
• Coordinate the design of promotional materials

Marketing & Registration

• Help with event promotion (social media, email, etc.)
• Help manage registration or ticketing systems

Day-of Coordination

• On-site management of the event, including vendor supervision and guest services
• Ensure smooth execution of the event schedule

Post-Event Wrap-up

• Oversee event breakdown and facilitation / handling of vendor invoices and payments in partnership with a Company representative
• Conduct post-event review with the client

COMPASS is YaLLa Esports' latest venture, an international S-Teir tournament IP with online seasons leading to a LAN Finals event in the GCC. Compass Abu Dhabi 2024 was the first of the series with a promise of annual recurrence in the city. The event took place on 7-9th June 2024.

• Oversaw all aspects of event logistics including venue selection, vendor coordination, scheduling, transportation arrangements, accommodations, catering and onsite support services.
• Evaluated existing plans, processes and events planning services to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Streamlined event planning processes for enhanced efficiency and cost reduction through meticulous organization and vendor negotiation.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop creative event concepts, ensuring seamless execution from start to finish.
• Leveraged industry expertise to negotiate contracts, securing favorable terms for clients while maintaining strong partnerships with suppliers.
• Managed budgets effectively, optimizing resource allocation and minimizing financial risk while maintaining high-quality standards.
• Established comprehensive contingency plans to anticipate potential challenges during event execution, ensuring prompt resolution without compromising client satisfaction.
• Managed seamless event transitions by overseeing teardown and post-event evaluations, identifying opportunities for future improvement and maintaining detailed records of event outcomes.
• Implemented data-driven strategies to assess event performance, identifying areas for improvement and driving continuous growth.
• Mentored junior staff members, providing guidance on best practices in event management and promoting professional development opportunities.
• Negotiated contracts with venues, vendors and suppliers to obtain best rates and services.

Esports Management Group (EMG) is an esports agency with a vision of creating the world’s first complete esports ecosystem. Ready to inspire generations to come by bringing the esports community consistent tournaments, events and programs. EMG is a company of Abdulla Al Gurg Global Investments (AGGI).

Event Development and Execution:

• Led the development, planning, and execution of the inaugural EMG Festival in Dubai, incorporating the Global Esports Tour (GET) tournament within the event framework.
• Devised a comprehensive strategy, including creating budgets, outsourcing roles, and expanding the in-house team to ensure the success of the event.
• Introduced the EMG Festival as an entertainment and gaming spectacle, strategically designed to attract a broad audience and enhance commercial viability.

Strategic Vision and Leadership:

• Promoted to General Manager in January 2023, assuming authority over the overall direction of the company and leading all aspects of operations, sales, and marketing.
• Developed and implemented an annual event strategy, securing strategic partnerships with government and private entities to enhance the company's market position.
• Crafted a 5-year forecast for projects, demonstrating foresight and strategic planning for long-term success.

Financial Success and Sponsorship Acquisition:

• Achieved a remarkable 600% revenue increase for the second edition of the EMG Festival, surpassing the initial event's financial performance.
• Successfully negotiated and secured a three-year sponsorship contract, totalling $450,000, showcasing strong negotiation and deal-making skills.

Team Management and Collaboration:

• Managed a cross-functional team consisting of a marketing manager, graphics designer, operations manager, and partnerships manager.
• Fostered a collaborative work environment, providing support across all aspects of the business and ensuring effective communication among team members.
• Orchestrated collaboration with 7 external agencies, comprising over 35 professionals, to augment project delivery and achieve seamless execution across sales, marketing and operations.

Media and PR Success:

• Achieved significant PR success for the inaugural event, garnering organic coverage from regional and international media outlets.
• Worked closely with the marketing team to ensure the creation and dissemination of compelling content, contributing to the event's positive image and media recognition.

Client Engagement and Sales Strategy:

• Collaborated with and lead the sales team to develop innovative sales packages, attended client meetings, and led pitches to secure business opportunities.
• Demonstrated strong client engagement skills, contributing to the successful signing of significant contracts and partnerships.

Direct Reporting and Leadership:

• Directly reported to the chairman, showcasing a high level of accountability and responsibility within the organization.
• Provided leadership and support to all team members, ensuring alignment with the company's goals and objectives.

YaLLa Esports is the leading esports organization in the Middle East headquartered in Dubai managing multiple winning esports teams, a full-service media agency specializing in gaming and esports, and the largest influencer talent network in the gaming scene across the region.

Key Achievements:

• Identified and pursued valuable business opportunities, generating new revenue and improving bottom-line profit.
• Successfully redefined and developed business offerings and professional services under a new agency profile.
• Led change and transformation across business areas to deliver benefits and align company resources.

Sales and Account Management:

• Maintained responsibility for sales, contracts, negotiations, and reporting for accounts worth over $2 million.
• Coordinated with internal teams and external vendors for timely delivery of campaigns and projects for clients.

A boutique creative content production agency specializing in telling compelling stories through film, animation, social media and photography.

Business Development and Sales:

• Utilized existing relations with media agencies and clients to acquire new business.
• Successfully presented company credentials to multiple advertising and creative agencies' stakeholders.
• Developed sales leads and uncovered new business opportunities through prospecting and cold calling.

Client Relations and Project Management:

• Coordinated with internal teams and external vendors for timely delivery of campaigns and projects for clients.

ESA (E-Sports Arabia) was founded to foster and develop local talent in the region. With a primary focus on building the grassroots of esports through carefully designed leagues to connect the gaming community and build a reputable institution.

Entrepreneurial Leadership:

• Conducted market research to understand the esports climate in the region.
• Developed a thorough league concept targeting schools, presented to the Ministry of Education.

ITP Media Group reaches an audience of more than 46.7 million people across the Middle East and beyond through its leading websites, portals, social media platforms, events, conferences, award ceremonies, magazines, books and social media influencers agency.

Sales and Campaign Management:

• Part-responsible for generating advertising revenue across various groups within ITP Media.
• Managed various advertising agencies, supporting with creative campaign solutions and maintaining market share.
• Led change and transformation across business areas to deliver benefits and align company resources.

Team Management and Leadership:

• Responsible for training and mentoring junior staff within the Ahlan! Group.
• Supported the sales team on new business briefs, pitches, and presentations.

Client Engagement and Events:

• Created unique activations and bespoke events for the F&B market, utilizing ITP's wider eco-system to drive footfall.
• Project-managed campaigns from creating video briefs to ensuring successful campaign delivery, managing client expectations.

Networking and Industry Involvement:

• Attended industry awards and networking events, entertaining clients during and outside working hours.