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ttglive.com
Judges’ comments
IAN SCOTT
UK & Ireland director,
Here’s what the judges thought of the quality of this year’s
Dubai Tourism and
The Big Idea entries and shortlisted finalists
Commerce Marketing
DANNY AND HELEN’S
Chris Photi Paul Stanyer success at the TTG
I was quite surprised by I was surprised there Travel Awards in
the variety of entries, were a few people who September 2008,
including some from were not able to fill in when they were
overseas, which intrigued the online entry properly announced as winners
me. I cannot say there but there are definitely a of the inaugural year
were any startlingly new few contenders. I think of The Big Idea,
ideas so in agreeing the there are some very remains a vivid
shortlist the judges had to weigh up the ideas good ideas in there, which does not surprise me memory for me. And here we are again, just
with their perception of the personality of the en- because I do think there are a lot of good ideas weeks from knowing our 2009 winner.
trants, which will come out at the presentation. out there just waiting for someone to pick up and Of course, for some, this means commiser-
There were two or three we all thought were run with. We had a very productive day and ations. The standard of entry was high, and
clear candidates and some we had to think long hopefully out of the six finalists there is some- there is only one prize, so many hopefuls
and hard about. thing that’s a genuine investment opportunity. didn’t make the shortlist.
If they truly believe in their idea, then a
Jane Dyson Olly Brendan period of reflection, further analysis of the
It was telling that there On the basis of the target audience, the finer detail of the
were very few entries online entries there are product or service, the sales and marketing
from traditional opera- one or two I’m really strategy, and a deeper understanding of the
tors or travel agents, excited about. Obviously competition and the commercial realities of
which suggests things the people behind them their idea may see them go one step further
have moved in the indus- have got a lot about in 2010.
try from where they were them and they had really In Dubai, when the first plans for what is
say five years ago. I’m excited to hear more from good business plans and a lot of determination now known as The Palm Jumeirah were
the entrants and look forward to hearing from in persevering with an original idea. One of presented, they didn’t make the shortlist
them to see if the personality that comes through the six we’ve shortlisted has come back from either. Early setbacks don’t necessarily mean
matches their thinking. It’s one thing looking at having lost out last year in the final. They have there is no potential in the idea.
a piece of paper, but another to relate to the moved the business on, and that shows a lot of But to those on the shortlist, congratula-
people and the business you are investing in. self-belief. tions are of course in order.
However, for some I expect the joy and
pride at progressing so far is tempered by the
prospect of presenting the ideas to the judges
face to face.
From my experience of the presentations
last year, my advice is to stay calm, collected
and confident.
You are the expert when it comes to your
idea, so let the judges see that and the
passion and commitment you have for your
idea, without appearing desperate.
Remember that they are considering
investing in you, not only in your idea.
So, to the shortlist, from myself and the
team at Dubai Tourism and Commerce
Marketing, we wish you the best of luck.
Somebody is about to be given an amazing,
life-changing opportunity.
Dubai’s growth from a “big idea” some 30
years ago has been spectacular.
Who knows how big your idea can really
become.
04.09.2009 33
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