FESPA CEO Neil Felton recently shared a message of solidarity and resilience regarding the current climate in the Middle East. While acknowledging the anxiety caused by regional tensions, Felton emphasised on the wellbeing of his family and the organisation’s primary focus on the safety of the FESPA team in the UAE and the broader regional community. “My first priority has been to maintain close contact with my immediate family in Dubai, and with our FESPA team on the ground in the UAE. We’ve also been in touch with many people in the wider region who have become part of our global FESPA community as we’ve built FESPA Middle East and FESPA Leadership Exchange (FLEX) summits over the last few years.”
Despite the disruption to international travel and the move to remote planning, FESPA’s commitment to the region remains unwavering. The organisation continues to move forward with detailed plans for 2027, drawing inspiration from the determination shown by its partners and exhibitors who continue to work despite significant challenges.
FESPA Middle East Regional Manager Bazil Cassim echoed this sentiment by reinforcing that the FESPA community is not alone and that the organisation will continue to support, engage, and stand alongside its members during these uncertain times.
Addressing the community’s resilience, Cassim issues a call for solidarity: “Here in the UAE and across the wider region, we continue to draw strength from the words of our leadership HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who affirmed, ‘we will emerge stronger’ – a message that serves to reassure and unite our entire community during these challenging times. FESPA has stood by its global community for over 64 years, and that commitment remains unwavering today.”
”Stay strong, stay connected, and take care of one another,” urges Cassim.
