"I first worked with Jackie on the second edition of the Desert Rock festival in 2005 and made the trip out for the show. On arriving I was greeted as I stepped off the plane, whisked off to a side room and buggied through the airport at high speed without having to go through any customs or security checks. Everything was dealt with for me and despite my flight not arriving till after midnight Jackie had come in person to pick me up and drive me to my hotel. This is typical of Jackie. She will always go out of her way to make sure everything is looked after for you and all the artists she works with. Jackie has had a great vision of developing the live music arena in Dubai and it has deservedly paid off over the years with the successes of CSM."

Adam Saunders –Helter Skelter Agency Ltd.

"In 2008 I had Velvet Revolver and Korn playing and the previous year, Robert Plant headlined. It (Desert Rock Festival) is an interesting event that’s really building. It’s a real attraction. Artists like to go to that part of the world and my acts speak highly of the event. CSM have done well to survive 10 years in an emerging market and I wish them all the best for the future."

Rod McSween – ITB

"It’s been a pleasure working with Jackie and her team, and it’s a fantastic achievement that in Desert Rock they’ve managed to cement an event into the festival calendar that features on many bands must-do list!"

Geoff Meall –The Agency Group

"CSM has a relaxed atmosphere, which is very unusual for our industry, but I believe the reason for this is Jackie’s genuine ability to manage a gig. She brings the right people in to do the things they do best, a simple enough theory but rarely practiced! There are a lot of people taking a lot out of Dubai, but Jackie and CSM for me are among a rare few actually putting something back in."

Grant Collins-Access All Areas 

"Jackie always has her finger on the pulse, and knows exactly how to pull off any major event with finesse. Hiccups can occur in any major event, but she rarely loses a step, but takes every problem in her stride and comes out like a champion."

Alister Baptista – STAR Middle East Ltd.

"Almost identical in age our companies have worked and played well in this playground together. I will always remember the integrity with which CSM carried out their business in the early days whilst starting to build their brand. They did this over time and not overnight and taking the good and the slow times in their stride whilst always making sure those who helped them were paid first. This is integrity - a characteristic to be held high and proud."  

Charlie Wright- Harlequin

"The longer I know Jackie Wartanian, the more impressed I am with her accomplishments. The obstacles she has had to overcome – beginning with the fact that she is a businesswoman operating in a male-dominated Arab country, a woman with a dream of producing live music events in a part of the world governed by Islamic Sharia law – are simply remarkable, to say the very least."

Charlotte DeWitt – International Events, Ltd.

"I’ve worked with Jackie, Lara, and Sipho on two of their festivals: Desert Rhythm and Urban Desert. Dubai is an incredible place and the global concert industry at large is fortunate to have Jackie growing the music scene there and connecting the cultures through entertainment. Personally, I really enjoyed her middle-eastern-flavored artist catering which was by far the best festival food I’ve ever had anywhere!"

Jeremiah ‘Ice’ Younossi – A-list agency

Steve Schmader (President, IFEA International) hands the "Outstanding Contribution to the Middle East" award to Jackie Wartanian (Managing Director, CSM) at the Middle Event Awards Ceremony 2008, Dubai - UAE.