Adirondack Studios (ADKS), a company that provides creative solutions for designers, artists, producers, and owners in the global entertainment industry, has promoted three senior team members in Dubai and established registered entities in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
These appointments and regional investments highlight ADKS' ongoing growth across the Middle East and underscore its long-term dedication to assisting clients through local leadership, regional insight, and expanded service capabilities.
Since the late 1990s, ADKS has been involved in themed entertainment, cultural, hospitality, retail, and public art projects across the Middle East. Its Dubai branch, Adirondack Studios Middle East (ADKS ME), now has over 160 staff members working from a 62,000-square-foot production site.
The team offers services across the region, including creative and technical design, engineering, fabrication, project management, site supervision, and installation.
Natural History Museum of Abu Dhabi. Ground form fabrication and acrylic water ripple effect by Adirondack Studios. Animal fabrication throughout the museum provided by Gekko, Qugga, and Wētā WorkshopImage courtesy of ADKS
Recent projects include Frozen Ever After at Disney Adventure World Paris, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, Meryal Water Park Qatar, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, and Candylicious retail stores.
In the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the broader Middle East, ADKS ME collaborates with leading clients such as Miral, Qiddiya, Seven, Dubai Government, GHD, Hokair, and others.
The Middle East team has also played a significant role in projects contributing to ADKS’ portfolio of 29 Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) Thea Awards.
Enhancing local leadership
As demand for ADKS ME's expertise grew across the region, ADKS saw an opportunity to enhance its regional leadership.
To support this development, ADKS promoted Coenraad (Con) Strydom to senior vice president of Middle East operations. Strydom joined ADKS in 2020, after working as an integrated delivery leader for AECOM in Doha, Qatar.
Over the past six years, Strydom has used his leadership, operational, project, delivery, and commercial skills to develop a strong, sustainable business capable of serving the themed entertainment industry at any stage of the project lifecycle.
Supporting Strydom will be Grietje Caels, now vice president of Middle East project delivery. Her extensive expertise in project management and production has been vital to ADKS ME’s growth.
ADKS first met Caels in 2015 when she was a senior manager of facility A&E and interiors at Dubai Parks & Resorts, collaborating on Motiongate Dubai. Afterwards, she worked at ae7 and AECOM before joining ADKS ME in 2021.
Besides her role at ADKS ME, Caels has spent the past two years on the TEA’s Thea Awards Committee, helping recognise outstanding projects. With over 30 years of experience, she has made a significant impact on ADKS’ key projects and the global attractions industry, and she remains a vital part of the company’s future.
ADKS' latest promotions in the Middle East, L to R: Coenraad (Con) Strydom, Grietje Caels, and Nada RadwanImage courtesy of ADKS
In addition to supporting ongoing projects, ADKS ME aims to expand its footprint in new sectors and markets across the region. To facilitate this expansion, Nada Radwan has been promoted to business development director for the Middle East.
Since joining ADKS ME in 2019, Radwan has been instrumental in driving the company's commercial success, building enduring client relationships and positioning ADKS as a trusted partner for top entertainment developers, cultural organisations, hospitality brands, and international IPs in the region.
Radwan’s strategic approach to business development has contributed to the expansion of ADKS ME's project portfolio across the Middle East.
With a multidisciplinary background spanning business development, creative strategy, interior design, tendering, commercial negotiations and business planning, Radwan brings both commercial and creative leadership to the organisation.
In her new role, she will work closely with Con Strydom to drive strategic growth initiatives, strengthen key client partnerships and support the company's continued expansion across existing and emerging markets.
New entities to support ME clients
In addition to investing in its team, ADKS and ADKS ME have expanded by establishing two new entities to better support current clients in the Middle East.
The company recently set up a registered office in Abu Dhabi and gained registration in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as Adirondack Scenic Arabia LLC. These new entities will help ADKS ME enhance local engagement, increase responsiveness, and deliver services more efficiently, all while maintaining quality standards and safety.
“The promotions of Con, Grietje and Nada serve as both recognition for their excellent work in getting ADKS ME to where it is today and a commitment to the relationships we’ve built and will continue to build in this ever-evolving region,” says ADKS president and principal, Michael Blau.
“Likewise, while we have worked in Abu Dhabi and KSA since the late 1990s, establishing a formal presence in both areas is our way of saying not only that we’re here to stay, but that we’re here to serve.”
The firm has gained registration in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as Adirondack Scenic Arabia LLC
“This could not be a more exciting time for the region’s attraction industry, with multiple large-scale projects in active development,” adds Strydom.
“With our established track record of success, this reenvisioned leadership structure, and the new entities in KSA and Abu Dhabi, we know that we can continue supporting our clients as they deliver some of the world's most ambitious and iconic entertainment and cultural destinations."
Greg Almy, VP of strategic partnerships, and Clara Rice, director of global marketing & growth, will be attending IAAPA Expo Europe in London from 21 to 25 September. Attendees can book meetings via email.
Earlier this year, ADKS concluded its five-decade story in the fifth excerpt from Fifty Years of Making a Scene: 1975-2025.
