Author
Articles by Shashank Ashok
Shashank Ashok co-founded Zarak Media Productions and Food On Focus Media in Dubai in 2019, and works across content production, design and event management for UAE and international brands. He writes the Zarak Events guides to corporate events, budgets, permits and production in Dubai and the UAE.
Before founding the agencies he produced event and brand films in Dubai, including a Ramadan staff event for the Roads and Transport Authority and a stand launch reel at GITEX Technology Week, and worked on event organisation. He studied at Heriot-Watt University.
Articles by Shashank Ashok
31 articles
Corporate event venues in Dubai: how to choose by event type
A guide to corporate event venues in Dubai by type and by event: hotel ballrooms, convention centres, arenas and theatres, landmark venues, warehouses and outdoor spaces. With the checks to make before you sign.Read article →
How to organise a press conference in Dubai: setup, running order and checklist
A practical guide to organising a press conference in Dubai: when one is worth holding, how to choose and lay out the room, the stage and backdrop, what cameras and journalists need, a running order and a checklist.Read article →
How to plan a mall activation in Dubai: approvals, timing and the brief
A step-by-step guide to mall activations in Dubai: how to choose the mall and the spot, who approves what, the build rules malls usually set, staffing, a planning timeline, how to measure results and what to put in the brief.Read article →
20 corporate event ideas in Dubai for employees and clients
Twenty corporate event ideas for companies in Dubai, grouped by what each one achieves: recognition, team bonding, alignment, client relationships and seasonal celebrations. With a table to help you choose.Read article →
How to plan a corporate family day in Dubai
A practical guide to planning a corporate family day in Dubai: when to hold it, which kind of venue suits it, activities for every age group, a sample running order, safety, permits and a checklist.Read article →
How to plan a restaurant or café launch event in Dubai
A practical guide to restaurant, café and bakery launch events in Dubai: the three opening stages, ideas for each kind of venue, a running order for opening day, permits, promotion and a checklist, with lessons from the Manna Mess launch.Read article →
Ramadan and Eid corporate gift ideas for clients and staff in Dubai
Practical Ramadan and Eid corporate gift ideas for 2027: gifts for clients and employees, what to avoid, rules for government guests, delivery timing and how to turn a gift into a moment at your iftar or suhoor.Read article →
Ramadan corporate event ideas for companies in Dubai (2027)
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on 8 February. These Ramadan corporate event ideas go beyond the client iftar: staff suhoors, majlis evenings, community programmes, night sports leagues, brand activations and Eid celebrations, with what to book first.Read article →
AGM and town hall planning checklist for Dubai companies
A step-by-step checklist for planning an AGM or a company town hall in Dubai: the room, stage, sound, screens, registration, running order, questions and votes.Read article →Conference stage and AV checklist: keynote vs panel
What the stage and AV need for each conference session format, from a single keynote to a panel of four, plus screens, lighting, streaming and rehearsal.Read article →
How to plan a conference in Dubai
A step-by-step guide to planning a conference in Dubai, from the goal and timeline to the venue, programme, speakers, registration, sponsors, AV and follow-up.Read article →
Grand opening event ideas for stores, restaurants and offices
Practical grand opening ideas for stores, restaurants, showrooms and offices in Dubai and the UAE, grouped by type of business, with a planning checklist from eight weeks out to the day itself.Read article →
Groundbreaking ceremony: programme, script and checklist
A groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of construction. Here is a sample programme, a short script for the host, ideas for the moment itself and a planning checklist for a ceremony on site.Read article →Ribbon cutting ceremony: ideas, programme and script
A ribbon cutting lasts minutes, but its photo represents the opening for years. Here is what you need, a sample programme, a simple script for the host and ideas to make it memorable.Read article →
Events in Dubai and the UAE in 2027: a month-by-month calendar
Every major event in Dubai and the UAE in 2027, month by month: summits, trade shows, crypto, AI and cyber security, Ramadan and Eid, National Day and Flag Day, shopping festivals, football, cricket, golf, marathons, water sports, markets and New Year's Eve.Read article →
Event run of show template: how to write one, with a free download
A run of show is the minute-by-minute plan the whole crew works from on the night. Here is how to write one, a worked gala example, and a free template you can download.Read article →Corporate event entertainment ideas for conferences, launches and team events in Dubai
Practical corporate event entertainment ideas for Dubai, matched to the format: conferences and summits, product launches, brand activations and exhibition stands, client receptions and team events, with how to choose acts and what to book early.Read article →Corporate year end party ideas in Dubai: formats, timing and planning
A practical guide to planning a corporate year end party in Dubai for 100 or more guests: formats, inclusive ideas for multicultural teams, entertainment, staff recognition, December venue booking, budget drivers and permits.Read article →
UAE National Day corporate event ideas for companies in Dubai
Practical UAE National Day corporate event ideas for Eid Al Etihad on 2 December: office celebrations, client and staff events, cultural performances, flag etiquette, timing around the holiday, lead times and how a planner helps.Read article →Gala dinner entertainment ideas for awards nights and annual dinners in Dubai
Practical gala dinner entertainment ideas for corporate galas, awards nights and annual dinners in Dubai. Hosts, live bands, acoustic acts, DJs, cultural performers, short shows and interactive acts, and how to fit each one into the running order.Read article →Stage design for corporate events: a practical guide for Dubai
A practical guide to stage design for corporate events in Dubai: matching the stage to the audience and room, ceiling height and rigging, LED backdrops, lecterns and panel layouts, sightlines, lighting, branding and the timeline from design to rehearsal.Read article →
How to plan a sustainable event in Dubai
Sustainable events come from a few early decisions: the venue, build days, travel, food and whether the stand or set is reused. Here is how to plan one in Dubai, and how to talk about it honestly.Read article →
How to plan a networking event in Dubai
A networking event works when the right people meet and agree to talk again. This guide covers the guest mix, formats, Dubai timing, room design, production and follow-up.Read article →How to choose an event management company in Dubai
How to choose an event management company in Dubai. Decide what you need, then check the licence, insurance, production and permit experience. Read portfolios, brief three agencies in the same way and compare quotes line by line.Read article →
How to plan a gala dinner or awards night in Dubai
How to plan a gala dinner or awards night in Dubai. This guide covers the objective and guest list, choosing the room, the run of show, awards staging, employee awards, seating, entertainment, catering pace, content, budget and a checklist.Read article →The product launch event checklist for Dubai: from eight weeks out to the week after opening
A week-by-week product launch checklist for Dubai. It starts with format, budget and permits eight weeks out, then covers production, promotion, rehearsal, launch day and the week after opening.Read article →Event permits in Dubai: which authority, what it costs and how long it takes
Which authority issues an event permit in Dubai, what the Dubai Development Authority charges and asks for, what changes with stages and tents, and how to plan a permit timeline that protects your date.Read article →How to plan a corporate iftar or suhoor in Dubai for Ramadan 2027
Ramadan 2027 is projected to begin on 8 February. This practical guide explains how to plan a corporate iftar event or suhoor in Dubai: format, timing, venue, running order, food, tone, etiquette and when to hire a planner.Read article →What an event costs in Dubai: the planning ranges we use
The planning ranges our calculator uses for corporate events, galas, launches, activations and community events in Dubai. We explain what moves each range, and why exhibition stands get a design review instead of an instant number.Read article →
How to brief an event production company
A clear brief removes the guesswork. It gets you three quotes for the same event, not three quotes for three different events. Here are the eight things a production company needs from you.Read article →
The venue questions that decide your event budget
The venue did not become more expensive. It turned out to have constraints nobody asked about. Here are twelve questions to ask before you sign, not after.Read article →About Shashank Ashok
Who is Shashank Ashok?
Shashank Ashok is a co-founder of Zarak Media Productions and Food On Focus Media in Dubai, founded in 2019. He works across content production, design and event management, and before that produced event and brand films in Dubai.
What does Shashank Ashok write about?
The Zarak Events guides to corporate events in Dubai and the UAE: choosing an event management company, event costs and budgets, permits, venues, production briefs, gala dinners, product launches and seasonal events such as Ramadan and National Day.
Planning an event or an exhibition stand?
Tell us what you are planning and we will come back with ideas and a realistic budget, from the first concept to the night itself.