the Internationale

Friday to the Netherlands Facilities Show in Utrecht and a chance to catch up with our Dutch alumni – great to see happy, smiling, confident faces – and thanks for the guided tour of a charming city. Along with some interesting insights into Euro-FM and the way the sector is developing…

Saturday night out to Dubai to visit Team Gulf – and straight out Sunday morning on a round of site surveys. Monday early to Riyadh – a better chance to scope the city – our last visit was somewhat rushed. Clear signs of investment – from Metros to Malls – and another “Welcome” from the passport office – someone upstairs has clearly set out the customer service stall…

And a full-on Boulevard at Olaya – next to the very upmarket Centria Mall and the brand new and very plush Hyatt. Meeting with our partner – and insights into the progress towards Vision 2030 and especially Saudization. Still debating where to start – Jeddah and the gateway to Mecca – or Riyadh and the investment in infrastructure and manufacturing…The times they are a changin’: hearing tell of “Cultural Melodies” – including a jazz gig in Riyadh in the last month...

Then over to see Adams and team in Doha – with Dan who joined from the UK for phone instruction – yes, the Gulf is now using our Orca app – byebye paper job sheets. Fenando now full-time at Kempinski, so further manpower on the way. And impressive visit to Mall of Qatar – not quite as big as Dubai malls but every bit as fancy. And busy.

Back to Oud Metha – Dan instructing on the finer points of the database. This visit following on from Prof Paul’s training and assessment visit – and Armin producing a fantastic test bed to set up assessment exercises – something we will be copying in the UK.

This cross-fertilisation of cultures, aspirations, technical solutions – all with folk who want to do the very best – if only we could vaccinate politicians with it – it’s just patently right. Right for the World. Pompous? Moi ?