A planning workshop structured as a journey from shared provocation in the Innovation Hub to focused work across 14 groups.

The Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities commissioned Plan Capital to explore the trends, innovations and strategies that could shape Abu Dhabi over the following 10 to 15 years.


The event needed to move beyond discussion and create a structured environment where ideas could be developed into practical outcomes. Participants moved between a shared plenary experience, focused group workshops and collaborative sessions before returning to present their responses.


Evolution translated this process into a clear spatial journey. The main ballroom created a collective centre through the stage and Innovation Hub, while the second ballroom provided the dedicated environment required for detailed group collaboration.

The Challenge


Long-term planning can become abstract when every idea is presented through the same format. Plan Capital needed to create distinct environments for participants to absorb insight, develop ideas, test approaches and present outcomes.


Fourteen groups also required sufficient separation to work productively while maintaining the feeling that each team was contributing to one shared vision for Abu Dhabi’s future. With a short delivery period, scenic, technical, registration and documentation requirements needed to be planned and executed as one coordinated solution.

Wide-angle shot of Abu Dhabi summit plenary hall filled with finance industry professionals

The Solution


The primary ballroom was designed around the main stage and Innovation Hub, giving the event a shared visual centre for strategic direction and collective discussion.


In the second ballroom, 14 workshop areas aligned each group with a specific objective. The layout created focus while retaining visual and operational connection to the wider event, preventing the collaborative phase from feeling like a series of isolated meetings.


AVL supported both plenary and workshop content, while registration created an ordered point of arrival. Photography and video captured not only the formal programme but the process of participants developing ideas, giving the client a record of the workshop's thinking as well as its outputs.


Evolution coordinated the compressed setup through one intergrated production structure. The result was a temporary planning environment designed around the way participants needed to move, collaborate and contribute, supporting the transition from future-focused discussion to practical outcomes.

Delivery Highlights


  • Main stage and central Innovation Hub in the primary ballroom.
  • Workshop environments for 14 groups in a second ballroom.
  • Spatial sequence supporting inspiration, collaboration and presentation.
  • Full AVL for plenary and workshop activity.
  • Guest registration services.
  • Photography and video coverage.
  • Delivery within a compressed production timeline.


Global investment delegates attending keynote presentation on economic strategy

Outcome


Plan Capital transformed a future-focused discussion into a structured process of collaboration. Participants first aligned around a shared strategic vision before moving into focused team environments designed to develop responses and return to the collective programme with practical outcomes.


The Innovation Hub and workshop environments made the planning process tangible, turning a long-term policy conversation into an interactive experience where ideas could be explored, developed and translated into solutions.

Project Ecosystem


Client:

Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities


Evolution Events: Led the event strategy, experience design, workshop planning, registration, production management and content capture.


Evolution Scenic: Designed and built the main stage, Innovation Hub and physical workshop environments across the two ballrooms.


Evolution Technical: Delivered the AVL systems supporting plenary content and collaborative workshop activity.


Evolution Furniture: Provided the conference and workshop furniture needed to support the Innovation Hub and 14 working groups.