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In a keynote address delivered by Duncan Fisher, Chief Show Operations Officer at Cirque du Soleil, during the second day of the Dubai International Project Management Forum, the speaker outlined his professional journey, which began with significant challenges as he started from scratch and progressed through various roles before moving into administrative and operational responsibilities. This progression enabled him to take part in major productions and large-scale festivals.

He referred to a key milestone in his career through his work on a business conference in Montreal, which won the award for Best Conference of the Year, before later assuming leadership of the touring shows division, where he became responsible for one of the largest touring show operations in the entertainment sector. Today, Fisher serves as Chief Show Operations Officer, managing the company’s global portfolio of live productions.

Fisher explained that managing a business is much like running a circus, as it is built on core elements including team chemistry, creativity and customer experience, alongside shared goals, clear guiding principles, effective communication and continuous information sharing. He noted that this approach, known as “shared awareness”, helps build trust within teams and enables the delegation of decisions without the constant need to refer back to senior management.

He emphasised that safety is a top priority in the world of the circus, through minimising risks, providing protective equipment, and strengthening trust between employees and supervisors, in addition to the importance of planning, training and communication, as well as the availability of safety and emergency teams. Concluding his keynote address, Fisher stressed that creativity thrives in motivating work environments and is closely linked to delivering a positive audience experience through the integrated efforts of teams.