The Creative Minds team with Emirati songwriter/singer Alira at the recent launch of the company in Dubai. John Varughese/Gulf Today

Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter

Normalcy is slowly picking up and with it is the re-ignition of events in which an expatriate couple has taken the chance to plunge in.

Romel Gumiran from the Philippines and Anna Melnychuk from Ukraine are the brains behind the Creative Minds which has so far lined up five events until March next year.

Their determination is so as Gumiran pointed out before guests at the company launch in Dubai over the weekend that man must not let himself be imprisoned with any sort of negativity such as the coronavirus pandemic but let this be the weapon for opportunities not only for himself but for others as well.

His mindset is so as according to the Allied Market Research, global events industry valued at $1.5 trillion in 2018 and $1,135.4 billion in 2019, would grow to $1,552.9 billion in 2028; with the Novel Coronavirus pandemic consequence of hybrid (virtual and face-to-face combined) events “likely” to top the trends. The music concert segment on the other hand shall incur the highest compound annual growth rate of 13.1 per cent in the next six years or until 2028.

Meanwhile, from the sidelines of the launch, veteran eventologist of multi-ethnic crowd-drawing concerts in the UAE since 2009, Jonathan Gumaltico, the Creative Minds- Events manager, said: “The events in the UAE had been competitive pre-pandemic. Dubai showed how it was. I am thrilled the energy is still there; how to create huge successful gatherings, not only through the Expo 2020 Dubai but big sporting events, conferences, trade fairs, musical concerts and exhibitions, as well.”

From the sidelines, Gumiran who practically lived in Europe as he had spent a number of years in Norway before settling down in the UAE said: “The government’s infrastructure in business is one of the best things I love in this country. They have very easy and quick service-oriented approach and so setting up a business is easy.”

He pointed out that the easy business set-up is the one entrepreneurs like him and Creative Minds co-founder/managing director Melnychuk, Marketing & Business Development head Alexandra Volkova, and Events Organising head Ekaterina Dudka “are looking for.”

Even though they believe that events organising is indeed a cut-throat industry, the group decided to dive into into it because the UAE provides the conducive environment.

Gumiran said: “I have been in the travel industry for almost 18 years and I have been doing events on the side in other parts of Asia. I know this kind of business is worth investing in despite the competitive market. It is a matter of innovating and revolutionizing the approach.”

Among the congratulatory messages for the new team came from Emirati songwriter/singer Alira, calendared to perform at Expo2020Dubai in January 2021: “Watch out because they are coming in to make history. Nothing like what you have seen before. They are just getting started and I am so thrilled for them.”

Expat Media Group/Ultimate Productions owner/chief executive officer Ma. Felicidad De Los Santos said: “Our conglomerate has been there since 2017 and no matter what the market situation is, the events industry always presents an exciting challenge. I salute this new set of players. They are adapting to the times which is the need for businesses to flourish. While we certainly cannot change the current global situation, as eventologists, we have the power to change mindsets and approach to the new normal.”

Events strategist Purple & Pink Creatives founder/managing director Vhie Laurilla saw the entry of Creative Minds as worthy and beneficial to the consumers: “What a variety of selection of events to see and enjoy.”

Star Realms president Gilbert Espiritu said: “It takes courage to launch a new company in these challenging times and so I applaud them for that. As we are slowly going back to normalcy, organising impactful events that will cater to the diversity of the UAE is important. I am sure they are able to deliver. We hope of future partnerships.”

On Dec. 2 at the Dubai Festival Arena is the “UAE Golden Year Music Festival” with Michael Learns to Rock and Boyce Avenue. Alira is special guest.