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Emaar aims to impress with lounge offering

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Alma Au Yueng

Among them is the 2020 Club by Emaar, a hospitality lounge dedicated to business and lifestyle needs, complete with stunning views and spectacular cuisine. Located at Al Wasl Plaza, adjacent to the UAE Pavilion, 2020 Club by Emaar comprises the hospitality lounge, events venue and spectacular rooftop. Here, visitors can discover new cuisines and traditions during themed celebrations, witness the lighting up of Al Wasl dome, and watch the enthralling entertainment programme during the UAE’s Golden Jubilee, New Year’s Eve, and many other festivities.

“If you want to have a relaxing break from Expo, we have the perfect solution for you on site with spectacular views of Al Wasl Plaza, where at least one of 192 participating countries will celebrate their national day over the 182-day Expo period,” Alma Au Yueng, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Emaar Hospitality Group, tells TTN.

2020 Club by Emaar is managed by Emaar Hospitality Group and will be accessible to visitors only through its exclusive Hospitality Lounge Passes. These include full-day access to Expo 2020 through fast-track lanes, multiple smart queue pre-bookings for participant pavilions, a three-hour dining experience at the Hospitality Lounge with unlimited food and soft beverages, complimentary access to the observatory tower at Expo, and free parking.

“Technology wise, we are fully equipped – the lounge is top notch, while being safe, social distanced and offering a completely hassle-free experience.”

With over 20 years of industry expertise, including over a decade in senior management roles, Alma was previously Group Director of Lifestyle Events, Sponsorship & Partnership at Emaar Hospitality Group.

“We are seeing and expecting high occupancies during the six-month Expo period, across our properties under all three of our hospitality brands [Address Hotels + Resorts, Vida Hotels and Resorts and Rove Hotels]. This is also the year of the UAE’s Jubilee anniversary, so we are expecting a lot of people to come, especially in December, to celebrate the country’s 50th anniversary.”

Apart from being the official hotel, hospitality and catering partner, Emaar supports Expo 2020 Dubai in developing Expo’s key theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating The Future’ through sustainability, mobility and opportunity.

Alma tells us how this is weaved in. “We work rigorously with our partners to ensure that we maintain and even raise the standards of sustainability – from our focus on local produce and local suppliers thereby reducing our carbon footprint to supporting SMEs and giving back to the community.

“Our team represents 26 different nationalities and we have a good gender ratio – we have ensured that we are diverse and inclusive, in keeping with the spirit of the UAE and Expo 2020 Dubai. We provide opportunities to nurture future leaders of hospitality through our internship programme: 20 handpicked students from schools around the world will experience Expo 2020 Dubai with us.”

Dreams do come true, she says as she reflects on her journey with Emaar and Expo 2020 Dubai – a journey that started five years ago even before she was appointed Corporate Director – Strategic Projects and Partnerships to lead Emaar’s Expo plans.

“In 2013, when Dubai announced the winning of Expo bid, I was one of those people celebrating. There was this little germ of an idea – if I am still working in Dubai years from now, I would like to be part of this game change. I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to facilitate this prestigious project with Emaar, a home-grown brand. The journey has taught me so much – persistence, agility, determination and consistency.”

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