• May 12, 2025

Destination Report: Discovering Oman with the Shadow Board

Destination Report: Discovering Oman with the Shadow Board

Destination Report: Discovering Oman with the Shadow Board 1024 683 micebook.

Ruth Nelson, account manager at Your Events Solutions, shares her highlights from the inaugural micebook Shadow Board Development Retreat in Oman…

In April, I had the pleasure of travelling to Oman with the ninteeen Shadow Board, a group created by micebook to bring together young, future leaders in the events industry to share ideas and have honest conversations about where we feel the industry is heading.

The trip was designed to provide quality time together, build genuine relationships, and to experience Oman as an event destination. As someone whose work revolves around creating events that grow in-person connections, I knew this would be an invaluable opportunity to meet the other people in this group face to face. 

Until then, we’d only met once in person and twice online for our monthly calls. Although I had a sense that this would be an incredible experience, nothing could have prepared me for the beauty of Oman, or for the chance to truly connect with such like-minded, ambitious, and inspiring people.

The trip started in Muscat, the perfect place to begin our five-day adventure to experience all that Oman had to offer. After landing and checking into the beautiful Kempinski Hotel Muscat, we wasted no time and set off for a day at sea. On the way there, one of the girls asked me what the best thing that could happen on this boat trip would be. To which I replied, “To see dolphins.” Sure enough, about an hour later, we were all screaming with excitement as dolphins swam and jumped around us. At this point I was sure Oman could not get any better.

Day two was all about immersing ourselves in Omani culture. We visited the Grand Mosque, the Royal Opera House, and one of my favourite moments, the Sidab Women’s House – a community-led charity which works with the local community to create beautifully designed bags. Meeting the women behind it was truly inspiring. This day was eye-opening for many reasons, but what stayed with me the most was the sense of community, culture, and deep connection shone through in every place we visited.

After seeing both Muscat’s incredible landscape and culture, we headed for the Hajar Mountains, naturally, in true Shadow Board style, travelling in convoy. We all climbed into 4x4s and spent the next several hours driving through Oman’s dramatic landscapes, using the drive as a chance to connect in smaller groups. These unexpected one-to-one moments turned out to be some of the most valuable on the entire trip.

We arrived at what I can only describe as heaven on earth, the stunning Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar, tucked away in the heart of the mountains. Over the next few days, we enjoyed evenings filled with laughter and conversation, experienced multiple hotels, visited a local rose farm, and experienced what was arguably the highlight of the trip: a surprise morning of rock climbing and zip lining.

By this point, we’d already formed a strong bond. Despite only knowing each other for four days, we shared so much, including our biggest fears. For some, it was a fear of heights, making it particularly challenging when eleven of us found ourselves clinging to the side of a rock face. Similarly to being in the cars earlier that week, this moment unexpectedly became one of the most meaningful and memorable of the trip. We supported and distracted one another, turning what started off as a terrifying experience into one filled with tears of laughter. 

This trip was truly one of the most memorable moments of my career so far. The people, the place, the food, the views, the leadership, every element came together to remind me of why I love this industry. It also ignited my excitement for what lies ahead and the incredible opportunity the Nineteen Shadow Board has given me.

Check out more photos from the trip

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