The Oil Barons Charity Ball, a popular charity event in the Middle East region, which raised more than $200,000 this year, has been named the ‘Best Special Event’ at the Middle East Event Awards held in Dubai, UAE recently.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, and presented by the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec), the event was the largest gala dinner for the oil and gas industry in the Middle East attracting 2,000 distinguished guests and senior industry figures from across the oil producing region, said a statement.

The charity fundraiser organised by international exhibition company, dmg events Middle East and Asia, took place in March of this year and has raised more than $2.3 million for Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), a UAE-based non-profit organisation during their eight year partnership.

Simon Mellor, president, dmg events – Middle East and Asia, said: “The Middle East Event Awards 2015 celebrates the outstanding achievements of the region’s events’ industry. Winning the award is a huge honour and is dedicated to all those fighting their personal battle with cancer.

“The award is further motivation for the talented staff at dmg events to continue with their exceptional efforts in organising highly successful and popular events that can contribute towards the development of the local community.”  


The event provided guests with the opportunity to bid for one-of-a-kind memorabilia and once-in-a-lifetime experiences during a glitzy evening, with the proceeds going to FOCP.


Additional features included world-class entertainment with previous performances from Heather Small, award-winning lead singer of M People; soul singer Jae Franklin; Dubai’s reputed band, The Maplejacks and the DJ Cuppy.

A key highlight of OBCB was the announcement of the ‘Oil Baron,’ a highly coveted status, which is awarded to an individual within the industry who has demonstrated a genuine commitment to corporate social responsibility and made a real and significant impact on the region.

Christopher Hudson, president - Global Energy, dmg events, said: “Winning the ‘Best Special Event’ category is a proud moment for dmg events as organisers of Adipec and its associated CSR activity through the Oil Barons Charity Ball, which ultimately is a reflection of the generous and altruistic nature of the UAE’s Oil and Gas community, without whom, none of this would be possible.”

The Middle East Event Awards is part of the fifth edition of the Middle East Event Show that recognises companies and individuals from the events industry for their exemplary efforts through 18 categories. - TradeArabia News Service