MENALAC AWARDS 2026

MENALAC AWARDS 2026

Location: Abu Dhabi
Event Date: April 1, 2026

This is non-member rate.
Login here to avail Member Rate.

Price range: AED 1,500 through AED 12,000  

  • USD: 408$ - 3,268$

This is non-member rate.
Login here to avail Member Rate.

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Want a discount? Become a member by purchasing Manufacturers / Suppliers / Consultant Membership, Operator Membership or Benefactor Membership!

Honouring the Best in the MENA Leisure, Entertainment & Attractions Industry

On 1 April 2026, the 8th MENALAC Awards Gala takes centre stage in Abu Dhabi, alongside the inaugural IAAPA Middle East Expo—a landmark moment for the regional and global leisure industry.

As a global benchmark for destination development and world-class attractions, Abu Dhabi is the natural host for this milestone edition. Following a landmark year in Saudi Arabia, MENALAC Awards 2026 continue their journey across the MENA region, uniting founders, C-suite leaders, and industry influencers for an unforgettable night of excellence, leadership, and celebration.

33 AWARD CATEGORIES. ONE ICONIC STAGE.

For 2026, MENALAC will honour excellence across 33 carefully curated award categories, designed to reflect the full spectrum of our industry - from world-class attractions and visionary projects to outstanding operators, manufacturers, suppliers, social initiatives, and trailblazing individuals. Whether you are redefining guest experiences, setting new safety and sustainability benchmarks, driving innovation, or leading with purpose, there is a category created for your achievement.

Discover the categories

 

5 PURPOSE-DRIVEN AWARD CATEGORIES — FREE TO ENTER

At MENALAC, recognition goes beyond scale and spectacle—it’s about values that move the industry forward. To encourage wider participation and spotlight critical pillars of Safety, Sustainability, CSR and People, MENALAC is offering FREE entry across all five of these award categories for 2026. If your work leads with purpose, safety, or impact—this is your moment to step forward and be recognised.

Discover the categories

 

AWARDS TIMELINES

PLAN AHEAD. PREPARE TO SHINE.

 

12JAN26             MON     Award Nominations to open online

20FEB26             FRI          Final day for submission of award nominations

23FEB26             MON      Review of the entries’ qualification

04MAR26            WED      Entries opened to Jury for judging (2 weekends included)

16MAR26            MON     Judging Round Closes

16MAR26            MON     All jury markings submitted to external Auditor for scoring

18MAR26            WED      External Auditor to announce finalists

01APR26             WED      Winners to be announced (Awards Gala)

HOW TO APPLY

  • Explore Categories and Review Awards Information

    Click here to explore the full list of award categories, eligibility, criteria, and submission requirements

  • Prepare Submission Material

    Collect all required content such as answers, images, videos, testimonials, and links.

  • Check Eligibility

    Confirm that your organization, product, or project qualifies for the selected category.

  • Register on the Portal

    Create an account on the awards portal using your login credentials.

  • Select Category & Start Entry

    Choose the relevant category, then click Start Entry.

  • Fill Entry Details

    Provide all the required information in a clear, concise and engaging manner.

Entry Fee per submission:

  • Members: USD 450
  • Non-Members: USD 580(5% VAT applicable)

ARE YOU READY TO BE RECOGNISED AMONG THE BEST?

We can’t wait to see your outstanding entries and make the MENALAC Awards 2026 a true celebration of excellence across the region.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

  • Network with the region’s most influential leisure and attractions leaders in a relaxed and celebratory setting

  • Enjoy a refined dining experience crafted to complement the prestige of the evening

  • Witness the unveiling of the industry’s most outstanding achievements across 33 award categories

  • Spectacular performances that elevate the spirit of celebration throughout the night

Sponsors & Partners

  • Diamond Sponsor

  • Gold Sponsor

  • Red Carpet Interviews’ Sponsor

Sponsorship opportunities

We have a diverse range of sponsorship opportunities available; a member of the sponsorship team will work with you to create a bespoke package to suit your businesses objectives.

Become A Sponsor Sponsorship Benefits

Jury

Array ( [0] => Array ( [jury_subject] => NON-OPERATOR JURY JUDGING OPERATOR CATEGORIES [jury_members] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [jury_member_photo] => https://www.menalac.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Steve-Drake-Accesso.jpg [jury_member_name] => Steve Drake [jury_designation] => SVP, Global Initiatives [jury_company] => Accesso ) [1] => Array ( [jury_member_photo] => https://www.menalac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Jim-Mayfield-SubSea-Systems-short-1.jpg [jury_member_name] => Jim Mayfield [jury_designation] => President & CEO [jury_company] => SubSea Systems ) [2] => Array ( [jury_member_photo] => https://www.menalac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Karim-Sijlamassi-Headshot-1-scaled.jpg [jury_member_name] => Karim Sijlamassi [jury_designation] => Director [jury_company] => FORREC ) [3] => Array ( [jury_member_photo] => https://www.menalac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Lennard-Otto-1.png [jury_member_name] => Lennard Otto [jury_designation] => Managing Director [jury_company] => Global Leisure & Entertainment ) [4] => Array ( [jury_member_photo] => https://www.menalac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Rob-McMenamin-400-x400-MAF-Lesiure-Entertainment-Cinemas.jpg [jury_member_name] => Rob McMenamin [jury_designation] => General Manager [jury_company] => EMBED ) [5] => Array ( [jury_member_photo] => [jury_member_name] => Stefan Zwanzger [jury_designation] => Founder [jury_company] => Theme Park X ) [6] => Array ( [jury_member_photo] => https://www.menalac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Travis-kline-pic.jpg [jury_member_name] => Travis Kline [jury_designation] => Chief Strategy Officer [jury_company] => Hero Experiences Group ) ) ) [1] => Array ( [jury_subject] => OPERATOR JURY JUDGING NON -OPERATOR CATEGORIES [jury_members] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [jury_member_photo] => https://www.menalac.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Ahmed-Yusuf-Seef-Entertainment-Photo.jpg [jury_member_name] => Ahmed Yusuf [jury_designation] => CEO [jury_company] => Seef Entertainment B.S.C., Bahrain ) [1] => Array ( [jury_member_photo] => https://www.menalac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Khalid-Felimban-al-othaim-updated.png [jury_member_name] => Khalid Felimban [jury_designation] => Group VP & CEO [jury_company] => Al Othaim Entertainment ) [2] => Array ( [jury_member_photo] => https://www.menalac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Cem-Tuna-Eagle-Hills.jpg [jury_member_name] => Cem Tuna [jury_designation] => Director of Business Leisure Development [jury_company] => Eagle Hills ) [3] => Array ( [jury_member_photo] => https://www.menalac.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Robert-Sascha-Triemer-Atlantis.jpg [jury_member_name] => Robert Sascha Triemer [jury_designation] => Vice President of Marine and Waterpark Operations [jury_company] => Atlantis Aquaventure ) [4] => Array ( [jury_member_photo] => https://www.menalac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Juan-Pic-109012025.jpg [jury_member_name] => Juan Richards [jury_designation] => General Manager - Waterparks [jury_company] => Dubai Holding Entertainment ) [5] => Array ( [jury_member_photo] => https://www.menalac.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/NEW-Heiko-Engels-Doha-Oasis-Quest-.png [jury_member_name] => Heiko Engels [jury_designation] => General Manager [jury_company] => Doha Oasis Quest ) ) ) )
NON-OPERATOR JURY JUDGING OPERATOR CATEGORIES
  • Steve Drake
    SVP, Global Initiatives
    Accesso
  • Jim Mayfield
    President & CEO
    SubSea Systems
  • Karim Sijlamassi
    Director
    FORREC
  • Lennard Otto
    Managing Director
    Global Leisure & Entertainment
  • Rob McMenamin
    General Manager
    EMBED
  • Stefan Zwanzger
    Founder
    Theme Park X
  • Travis Kline
    Chief Strategy Officer
    Hero Experiences Group
OPERATOR JURY JUDGING NON -OPERATOR CATEGORIES
  • Ahmed Yusuf
    CEO
    Seef Entertainment B.S.C., Bahrain
  • Khalid Felimban
    Group VP & CEO
    Al Othaim Entertainment
  • Cem Tuna
    Director of Business Leisure Development
    Eagle Hills
  • Robert Sascha Triemer
    Vice President of Marine and Waterpark Operations
    Atlantis Aquaventure
  • Juan Richards
    General Manager - Waterparks
    Dubai Holding Entertainment
  • Heiko Engels
    General Manager
    Doha Oasis Quest

Last Year Winners

MOTIONGATE DUBAI wins BEST THEME PARK
2 BEST THEME PARK BELOW 500K VISITORS - DOHA QUEST - QATAR
3 BEST WATERPARK OVER 400K VISITORS - AQUAVENTURE WORLD - ATLANTIS DUBAI
5 BEST FEC - 20K SQFT OR ABOVE THE DOCKX KSA - FAWASE
6 BEST FEC - BELOW 20K SQFT FUN CITY AL HAMRA MALL - RAK - LANDMARK LEISURE
7 BEST VISITOR ATTRACTION GLOBAL VILLAGE UAE - DUBAI HOLDING ENTERTAINMENT
8 BEST EDUTAINMENT CENTRE THE GREEN PLANET™ DUBAI - DUBAI HOLDING ENTERTAINMENT
9 BEST PLAY AREA PLAYSCAPE - SUPER CLIMBER FUN WORKS ABU DHABI - LANDMARK LEISURE
10 BEST SPORT ACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT - ACTIVATE - MAF ENTERTAINMENT
11 BEST INTEGRATED LEISURE DESTINATION - YAS ISLAND - MIRAL EXPERIENCES
12 BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN FOR FECS - ROXY CINEMAS - DUBAI HOLDING ENTERTAINMENT
13 BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN FOR AMUSEMENT PARKS - ABU DHABI X ETIHAD-MIRAL EXPERIENCE
14 BEST CSR PROGRAM SPECIAL NEEDS HAPPY DAY BY SAFFORI LAND SAUDI ARABIA - AL OTHAIM
15 BEST CUSTOMER LOYALTY PROGRAM - YAS ANNUAL PASS - MIRAL EXPERIENCES
16 BEST EMPLOYEES ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE - EXTRAORDINARY COLLEAGUE ENGAGEMENT BY AQUA
18 MOST INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY - RADIAN SMART WRISTBAND BY SEMNOX SOLUTIONS
19 BEST DESIGN FOR A LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT FACILITY - FEC - SINDBAD PAKISTAN - ASI
20 BEST DESIGN FOR A LEISURE ENTERTAINMENT FACILITY - AMUSEMENT PARKS - DESERT FALLS
23 BEST NEW PRODUCT ARCADE, VR, REDEMPTION & NOVELTY - SUPERBLASTER BY TRIOTECH
25 BEST DESIGNERS AND THEMING SUPPLIER - KCC ENTERTAINMENT DESIGN
25 MOST UNIQUE NEW CONCEPT ATTRACTION - ENDLESS SURF - WHITEWATER
26 BEST MANUFACTURER - WHITEWATER
27 BEST TECHNOLOGY SERVICES SUPPLIER - VIVATICKET
28 BEST VR AND DIGITAL EXPERIENCE CONTENT CREATORS - TRIOTECH
29 BEST SKILL GAMES, REDEMPTION AND ARCADES SUPPLIER - AMUSEMENT SERVICES INTL
31 BEST INNOVATION IN HEALTH & SAFETY-MULTILINGUAL LMS ELEARNING AI INTEGRAT MELLORS
32 BEST IMPACTFUL SUSTAINABILITY CAMPAIGN - AQUAVENTURE WORLD ELIMINATES SINGLE-USE
33 BEST ESTABLISHMENT MANAGER FEC - SAMJHANA BHANDARI, FUN WORKS YAS MALL LANDMARK L
34 BEST ESTABLISHMENT MANAGER AMUSEMENT PARK - ADAM DU PLOOY DESERT FALLS WATER AND
36 MENALAC HALL OF FAME MR. ABDULLAH SALEH AL OTHAIM

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