Amin Abbas
DUBAI: ‘Geek Community Day’, a free event organized for the geek community in the UAE, was held on Oct. 28th in Dubai by Hobby Nation and Rove Hotels.
Hobby Nation is a destination for toy addicts, video game enthusiasts, movie lovers, and comic book fans that strives to build the biggest community of hobbyists and collectors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The first edition of the event featured exciting activities for pop culture and entertainment enthusiasts, such as tabletop board games, cosplay, video games, a themed quiz night, vendor stalls, and local artists.
“It was an amazing day, and the standout feature was undoubtedly the sense of togetherness we created. We brought different communities under one roof, offering them the chance to meet, connect, and build new friendships. It was all about breaking down boundaries and fostering a real sense of community spirit,” said Faisal Alqassim, Hobby Nation’s founder, about the event.
“Our event was also in sync with Dubai’s vision for talent growth. We’re passionate about nurturing skills and talents, and this event was a testament to that commitment. We had cosplayers who demonstrated exceptional crafting skills in their cosplays and wowed the crowd with fantastic performances. We also organized a quiz with teams of four, sparking engaging discussions and creativity,” he added.
Regarding the feedback from the visitors, Alqassim said, “It was truly heartwarming. So many participants told us that gatherings like this were exactly what they needed. The sense of community was palpable, and it was heartening to see how happy everyone was to be part of such an event.”
“But the best part? They didn’t want it to be a one-time thing. Many attendees eagerly asked for more activities with the same community focus, and that’s incredibly touching. For us at Hobby Nation, this event marked a significant milestone. It’s been a labor of love since 2014, and now it’s finally time to give back to this amazing community that has been our support and inspiration,” he added.
Hobby Nation is looking forward to planning more community events in the future. “We are so glad to have Rove Hotels as our partners,” said Alqassim. “The ‘when’ and ‘where’ (regarding future events) are still in the works… but we are on it and we are not slowing down. We promise you, there is a whole more and it is going to be even bigger and better.”
Ali Luqman, an active member of the entertainment community in the UAE said about the event, “It was nice because it was straightforward and free access. A lot of people were enjoying the variety of merchandise being sold, and the cosplay area outside TGI Fridays was great. Luckily, the weather was good. Overall, I would love to see more of such events.”