BSL Middle East is a leading international event management agency that specialises in the design and delivery of corporate hospitality packages, logistics operations, and global incentive travel at premier sports, arts & music and Mice events around the world.
Launched by its sister company BSL World in London, its Middle East operations began in 2009. The company opened its office in Abu Dhabi the following year after the successful management of the VIP transportation for the 2009 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Their association with Formula One begun first with Toyota and ING and now they work with Force India.
“Our Middle East enterprise started in early 2009 when we were asked to project manage the VIP transportation and logistics for 15,000 VIPs at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix by Abu Dhabi Motorsport Management (ADMM)” said Jonathan Bodansky, managing director, BSL World.
“We are now in our third year here. The nature of our work today has grown and we do destination management activities, gala dinners, road shows, hotel bookings and tailor made programmes for big groups. Our USP lies in the fact that we offer tailor made services to our client’s briefs and are constantly thinking out of the box.
“The area that we pride ourselves with is trying to provide new and interesting angles on events and activities. With so many new hotels and attractions coming on board, there is more opportunity to be creative today than churning out the same things to them.
“Rates will be more competitive too on the hotel front,” adds Bodansky.
BSL opened a dedicated Middle East office at twofour54 in Abu Dhabi. Bodansky says, “Though we are based in the UAE, we are capable of doing stuff in the broader Middle East. We have already done a lot of work in Bahrain during the Formula 1 and continue to work with expert production companies.”
“At GIBTM, we received a lot of requests for services for events and conferences across the GCC, which is a testimonial to the confidence the market has in our capabilities. The show has been a good platform to showcase our products and offerings in the meetings sector,” he added.
BSL specialises in working with the sports and music industries. Besides its association with hospitality and logistics programmes for Formula One, they have worked with the British Open and World Athletics Championships, and various football projects, including the Manchester City tour of Japan. BSL has also worked with music acts such as Tina Turner, Janet Jackson and Elton John.