Creative Technology expands CONNECTME26 in Dubai
Creative Technology expands CONNECTME26 in Dubai
Bringing together clients, partners, freelancers, manufacturers and industry professionals across three days in Dubai, Creative Technology Middle East (CTME) has concluded its CONNECTME26 event. According to the company, the 2026 edition more than doubled the scale of the inaugural 2024 event, turning CTME’s Dubai facility into an integrated technology environment.
The event was a culmination of efforts between around 80 team members across the company’s technical departments and business operations, with development taking place over approximately eight weeks alongside the businesses day-to-day client operations.
CONNECTME26 focused on live events, broadcast and systems integration, with showcases incorporating audio, video and lighting technologies from partners including Barco, ROE Visual, Panasonic and Epson. A central feature was a Main Control Room (MCR) built around SMPTE ST 2110 IP infrastructure, connecting displays, media servers, cameras, lighting, audio and control surfaces.
“The MCR demonstrated how increasingly complex productions can be designed and operated through shared infrastructure rather than isolated technical systems,” said Tom Stocks, head of technical at CTME.
The infrastructure included 12 media servers, 32 LED displays, 14 projection systems, 70 digital signage displays and 24 cameras, alongside more than 900 lighting fixtures and 80 loudspeakers. Approximately 160 million pixels were managed across the system, with video and audio transported via SMPTE ST 2110 and Panasonic KAIROS providing centralised management and switching.
The audio department presented the d&b U-Series, making CTME reportedly the first rental provider in the region to carry the system, alongside demonstrations of L-Acoustics L-ISA and d&b Soundscape immersive audio platforms. Lighting demonstrations included Follow-Me tracking systems, GLP’s DigiFX functionality and Depence² visualisation, while the video department focused on LED, projection, media servers and IP-based production workflows.
CONNECTME26 also introduced reCONNECTME26, a dedicated day for the freelance community supporting productions across the GCC. According to CTME managing director Andy Reardon, the initiative was particularly relevant amid market uncertainty in the region.
“Over the past six months, the industry has faced a number of challenges, with projects slowing and market uncertainty affecting many businesses across the region,” Reardon said. “It felt more important than ever to create a space where the industry could reconnect, share ideas and look forward together. Our freelance community plays a critical role in the success of our sector and reCONNECTME26 provided an opportunity to recognise that contribution while creating new opportunities for collaboration.”
The event also brought NEP Group capabilities into the CONNECTME concept for the first time, reflecting the companies’ shared presence at the Dubai facility and creating further opportunities for collaboration.
