Operations Intern

Event Operations & Hospitality Intern – Abu DhabiBe our eyes and ears on the ground in Abu Dhabi.

Proof of Talk is building a different kind of global event brand.

Our philosophy is simple:

Small rooms. Big decisions.

We bring together founders, investors, executives, institutions, policymakers, and technology leaders in highly curated environments designed for meaningful conversations — not crowded expo halls.

In December 2026, Proof of Talk comes to Louvre Abu Dhabi .

And we are looking for a highly resourceful Event Operations & Hospitality Intern based in Abu Dhabi to help us create the experiences around the main event that people remember.

This is not a typical event internship.

You will help us find, plan, negotiate, and execute:

• Private CEO dinners
• Investor breakfasts
• Partner lunches
• Speaker gatherings
• VIP receptions
• Side events
• Networking experiences
• After-hours events
• Hospitality moments across Abu Dhabi

Sometimes the most important conversation at a conference happens over breakfast with 15 people, not on a stage with 1,500.

Your job is to help us create those moments.

Your Role

You will become Proof of Talk's on-the-ground operator in Abu Dhabi .

We want someone who can take a request like:

“We need an intimate dinner for 30 CEOs next Thursday.”

and come back with:

• Three great venue options
• Photos and videos
• Pricing
• Menus
• Capacity
• Availability
• Minimum spend
• Pros and cons
• Your recommendation

Then help us make it happen.

You'll work closely with the Proof of Talk team to make sure every experience outside the main conference feels intentional, premium, and exceptionally well executed.

What You'll Work On🍽️ Side Events & Hospitality

You'll research and help organize:

• Executive dinners
• Investor breakfasts
• Partner lunches
• Private receptions
• Cocktail events
• Speaker dinners
• VIP gatherings
• Networking events
• Community side events

You'll help us find the venues people actually want to go to — not just the first result on Google.

📍 Venue Sourcing

You'll scout:

• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Rooftops
• Beach clubs
• Private dining rooms
• Galleries
• Cultural spaces
• Outdoor venues
• Unique locations
• Hidden gems across Abu Dhabi

You'll visit venues personally when needed and evaluate:

• Atmosphere
• Service quality
• Food
• Capacity
• Privacy
• Accessibility
• Branding possibilities
• Guest flow
• AV capabilities
• Overall fit for the Proof of Talk brand

🤝 Local Partnerships

You'll help build relationships with:

• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Hospitality groups
• Venue managers
• Event suppliers
• Transport companies
• Production partners
• Catering companies
• Local experience providers

You'll help negotiate:

• Venue rates
• Minimum spends
• Group bookings
• Food and beverage packages
• Preferential rates
• Partnership opportunities
• Added-value benefits

🎯 On-the-Ground Execution

Planning is only half the job.

You'll also make sure things actually work.

That may mean:

• Being at a venue before guests arrive
• Checking table layouts
• Confirming menus
• Reviewing signage and branding
• Coordinating suppliers
• Making sure AV works
• Managing guest arrivals
• Supporting VIP requirements
• Solving last-minute problems
• Making sure the experience feels seamless

If something goes wrong, you're the kind of person who starts solving it before anyone else notices.

The Person We're Looking For

You do not necessarily need years of event experience.

We care more about whether you are:

• Extremely organized
• Resourceful
• Reliable
• Fast
• Detail-oriented
• Comfortable speaking with vendors and senior people
• Confident making phone calls
• Good at negotiating
• Able to work independently
• Calm under pressure
• Naturally proactive
• Obsessed with creating great experiences

You should be someone who hears:

“Find us the best place in Abu Dhabi for this.”

and immediately starts researching, calling, visiting, comparing, and negotiating.

Required

• Currently based in Abu Dhabi or able to be regularly on the ground there
• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from hospitality, events, business, tourism, marketing, communications, or a related field
• Strong English communication skills
• Excellent organization
• Strong attention to detail
• Comfortable working independently
• Confident communicating with venues and suppliers
• Able to manage multiple tasks at the same time
• Willing to visit venues and attend events in person
• Available around Proof of Talk Abu Dhabi in December 2026

Nice to Have

• Previous event or hospitality experience
• Knowledge of Abu Dhabi restaurants, hotels, venues, and nightlife
• Experience working with luxury hospitality
• Existing relationships with venues or hospitality groups
• Event production experience
• Vendor negotiation experience
• Experience with VIP or executive guests
• Arabic language skills
• UAE driving licence
• Photography or content skills

You're Probably a Fit If

• Your friends always ask you where they should go for dinner
• You enjoy finding places other people haven't discovered yet
• You care about atmosphere, service, lighting, music, food, and small details
• You can negotiate without being uncomfortable
• You enjoy organizing things
• You respond quickly
• You follow up until things are finished
• You are comfortable being trusted with responsibility
• You like solving practical problems
• You don't wait to be told every next step
• You enjoy high-energy environments
• You take pride in making things feel effortless for guests

You're Probably Not a Fit If

• You prefer purely desk-based work
• You dislike calling suppliers
• You need detailed instructions for every task
• You struggle with last-minute changes
• You don't enjoy dealing with people
• You are uncomfortable taking responsibility
• You think event planning is mainly making spreadsheets

Why Proof of Talk

Proof of Talk is not trying to become the biggest conference.

We're trying to build the most valuable room .

Our flagship event in Paris takes place at the Louvre Palace and brings together senior leaders from finance, technology, digital assets, investment, and entrepreneurship.

In December 2026, Proof of Talk expands to Louvre Abu Dhabi for two days focused on:

Digital Assets & Finance

and

Artificial Intelligence & Technology

The people coming to Abu Dhabi include founders, CEOs, investors, institutions, technology companies, and international partners.

Our responsibility is to make sure the experience around the event feels as considered as the main stage.

That's where you come in.

What Makes This Different🌍 Real Responsibility

You won't spend your internship watching other people organize events.

You'll help organize them yourself.

Your venue recommendation could become the location for a dinner attended by some of the most influential people in the industry.

🍽️ Learn Premium Event Hospitality

You'll learn how to create experiences for:

• Founders
• CEOs
• Investors
• Speakers
• Global partners
• Institutional guests
• VIPs

You'll see firsthand how hospitality, environment, and details influence relationships and business outcomes.

💪 Direct Access & Fast Decisions

• Work directly with the Proof of Talk team
• Fast feedback
• Minimal bureaucracy
• Real ownership
• Freedom to suggest better venues and ideas
• Opportunity to build your network across Abu Dhabi's event and hospitality ecosystem

If you find something exceptional, we want to know about it.

🚀 Career Opportunity

Exceptional performers may have opportunities to continue with Proof of Talk as we expand internationally.

Potential future paths include:

• Event Operations
• Event Production
• Hospitality Management
• Partnerships
• Guest Experience
• International Event Management

Structure

• Internship
• Abu Dhabi based / on-the-ground role
• Flexible working setup outside event periods
• Competitive internship compensation
• High responsibility from day one
• Direct collaboration with the international Proof of Talk team
• Potential for longer-term opportunities

Employment Type

Internship

Job Function

Event Operations · Hospitality · Event Planning · Guest Experience

Industry

Events · Hospitality · Technology · Finance