Partner content from Protec.

Protec started 2018 with a big announcement, and an even bigger vision for the year ahead. The Protec group expanded to include Protec European Events based in the UK, and has extended its global reach to include events this past year as far flung as Rwanda.

It has also opened an office and warehouse in Saudi Arabia to offer its clients a service on their doorstep, leading to a significant growth in resources able to supply the country’s burgeoning events industry.

With this expansion into the UK and Saudi Arabia, there have been many highlights. One that springs to mind is the ground breaking ceremony for Qiddiya, the famous Saudi Arabian giga-project which is set to make all existing global entertainment destinations look minute in comparison.

Or there was the media attention generated by their dart playing robots at GITEX, the futuristic technology exhibition, where they showed off their accuracy and prowess against willing show attendees. This made it into the top 5 attractions to visit according to The National newspaper and also attracted some royal visitors! Protec also were part of some very impressive global conferences such as the UN World Data Forum.Protec CEO Stephen Lakin commented: “2018 has been an incredible year, with a wide variety of outstanding events that we were delighted to be a part of. Some moments that stand out are: seeing our dart playing robots on a stand at GITEX garnering so much media attention, helping our client unite 400,000 EDM fans at Unite with Tomorrowland, delivering an opening ceremony to remember for the MENA Special Olympics, and watching our client relationships strengthen as our global reach expands.

“But I think it is the industry awards we received this year which stand out the most – recognising all these great achievements and inspiring and encouraging us to push the boundaries of event technology even further. It is especially impressive how ‘Protec European Events’ was awarded ‘AV Production, Staging & Rental Company of the Year’ at this year’s long standing AV Awards ceremony – what an amazing achievement from our team during their first year in operation!

“We also picked up several awards in the Middle East for event technology, project manager of the year and I myself picked up the AV Industry Recognition Award, which was very humbling. This peer and industry recognition certainly inspires us to be even more innovative next year and we already have a few surprises in the pipeline!”

On the back of its recent successes and achievements in the UK, Protec European Events has needed to expand its premises to facilitate its growth. Still strategically located next to the National Exhibition Centre and Birmingham International Airport, the company has more than doubled its storage area to 63,000 ft2(5850 m2).

Alongside the new space to store their growing inventory and expanding staging and scenic department, Protec will be hiring more world class personnel in order to consistently deliver the standard of events the global brand is recognised for. Already on board is Jason Strange, who has decades of global experience in the events industry including eight years with Protec in Dubai. He brings creativity and imagination, as well as scenic and staging expertise to aid our clients in delivering impactful events and maximising budgets.

Protec clients’ words speak volumes about their reputation and professionalism across all event types, from corporate to rock and roll, both intimate or spectacular.

Barry Pavic, director of Envie Events, commented: “Our goal is to bring people from all walks of life, countries, backgrounds and unite them as one with the power of music. That is exactly what UNITE with Tomorrowland did once again and we are very happy with the feedback. It is with the help of strong partners like Protec that make this concept such a huge success in the UAE.”

Evelyn Truter – marketing programme & project manager – Xerox International Operations, commented: “I have two words that come to mind when I think of the Protec team: professionalism personified. They have creative ideas, technical agility and are flexible even under “show” pressure. We have a great working relationship with them, they understand our business, they know the personalities, and our goals are aligned – we make both our companies successful – now that’s true partnership.”

 

Protec has been the cornerstone of the events industry in the Middle East since 1999. Established by industry leader and habitual pioneer Stephen Lakin, Protec has grown into the region’s most committed and consistently reliable event equipment rental company, producing live events that are truly spectacular, leading edge, and globally acclaimed. Now also based in Saudi Arabia, the UK and operating across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, they bring their vast experience and technical resource palette to the global market.