From Farmer to Events CEO: Simon Mellor's Remarkable Journey

What does it take to build, grow and transform successful event businesses across multiple markets? In this episode of The Backdrop, Michael MacLennan sits down with Simon Mellor, one of the Middle East events industry's most experienced international business leaders, to explore more than 20 years of leadership, growth and transformation across the global events sector. Simon's journey into events is anything but conventional. Originally trained in agriculture and beginning his commercial career in specialist publishing, he went on to build an international career spanning the Middle East, Europe, Asia and the Americas. During 13 years with dmg events, Simon held senior leadership roles across major portfolios and international markets, ultimately serving as President for the Middle East and Asia. He later joined Messe Frankfurt Middle East, where he led the regional business through major organisational change, the disruption of COVID-19 and a return to record performance. Throughout the conversation, Simon shares the principles that have shaped his approach to business — from identifying market opportunities and understanding when an event has reached its ceiling, to building leadership structures, empowering teams and creating a culture capable of delivering sustainable growth. The discussion also explores the evolution of the Middle East events market, expansion into Saudi Arabia, the importance of partnerships and why successful international organisers need to understand the markets they enter rather than simply exporting an existing formula. Simon also opens up about the personal challenges that changed the direction of his career and his perspective on what really matters beyond business. Whether you work in events, exhibitions, sales, business development or leadership, this episode offers practical lessons from a career spent building businesses, developing people and identifying opportunities across some of the world's most dynamic markets. In this episode we discuss: • From farming to publishing and the events industry • Learning to identify commercial opportunities • Building an international career • Entering the Middle East events market • Growing businesses across multiple countries • Leadership lessons from dmg events • Recognising when an event has reached its ceiling • Building high-performing leadership teams • Transforming Messe Frankfurt Middle East • Leading an events business through COVID-19 • The growth of Saudi Arabia's events market • Why partnerships matter in international expansion • Developing and retaining great people • The personal experiences that changed Simon's career and priorities Time Stamps 00:00 - Introduction 01:35 - Meet Simon Mellor 02:59 - From Farming to Publishing 07:54 - Building an International Career 17:00 - Entering the Middle East Events Industry 24:30 - Leadership & Growth at dmg events 29:04 - Transforming Messe Frankfurt Middle East 35:30 - Building High-Performing Teams & Culture 40:48 - Leading Through COVID & the Events Recovery 48:20 - Family, Perspective & What Really Matters 🎙️ Watch the full conversation with Simon Mellor: From Farmer to Events CEO: Simon Mellor's ... Follow Simon Mellor 🔗 LinkedIn LinkedIn: sgmellor Visit Our Website 🌐 https://thebackdroppodcast.com/ Follow The Backdrop Podcast 🔗 LinkedIn LinkedIn: the-backdroppodcast 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thebackdrop... If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and leave a comment below. Your support helps us bring more conversations with the people shaping the events, hospitality and live experience industries. #TheBackdropPodcast #EventsIndustry #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #EventProfs