Saad Aldawood, CEM currently serves as the Event Planning Officer for the Misk Foundation. He started his career in 2018 through community service as a volunteer director in various organizations. In 2019, Saad worked in food and beverage, followed by roles such as Operation Officer to MarCom Specialist to Training Coordinator. In 2021, he supervised the Light Upon Light exhibition with the Noor Riyadh Festival.
Saad has also worked in G20 events including the International Conference, FII Conference, FII Institute, Tourism Summit, F1 and FE, ultimately leading to his internship in the KSA Pavilion in Dubai Expo 2020.
The journey to build his skills led to working with GACA as International Events Specialist in 2021, where he contributed to the Paris Airshow, Dubai Airshow, Singapore Airshow, World Defense Show and Future Aviation Forum.
Saad began working for the Misk Foundation in 2024 to continue learning, joining its events department with the aim of continuing to execute high quality projects. Here, he shares how earning the CEM designation is helping him achieve his goals.
How will the CEM designation help in your career?
Earning the CEM designation validates my experience and knowledge with a certificate that reflects my commitment to the highest industry standards.
Why is it important to maintain the CEM designation?
The exhibitions and events industry is growing all over the world, and the CEM designation will keep me updated to the highest and most advanced methods in the market.
What made you want to obtain your CEM designation?
I wanted to develop my set of skills in exhibition management, specifically for international exhibitions.
What advice would you give to an aspiring individual who wants to apply for the CEM program?
The more experience you gain, the more current you will remain. The advantage to participating in CEM Learning Program is that you stay at the forefront of the industry by learning future methods.
How did you start your career in this industry?
I started by volunteering in different exhibitions and found that I truly enjoy this industry, which led me to study hospitality management and improve my set of skills in exhibitions and events.
How have you made a difference with your show or with working with a client by applying the knowledge you gained by obtaining your CEM designation?
The CEM Learning Program showed me different approaches to common problems so that I can raise the standards.
What did you like most about the CEM Learning Program?
My favorite part about the program was learning more about strategy management.
What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
My father and I have the same birthday: 16 April.
