 The
largest exhibition ever to be staged in the UAE
– the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum
Exhibition and Conference (Adipec 2008) – was
made possible by the opening of Phase two of the
Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre's
facilities, said the chairman of the organisers.
Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of
Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (Adnec),
told Emirates Business that the additional
28,000 square metres of space opened up in Phase
2 saw the venue double in size to become the
Gulf's largest inter-connected exhibition centre
with an exhibition floor space of 55,000 sq m
and total event space of 73,000 sq m.
He said this was a major milestone for Adnec in
its relatively short history, which enabled the
Capital to host one of the world's largest
petroleum exhibitions.
"Three years ago work began on the creation of
the world's most modern and the Gulf's largest
exhibition centre in the heart of Abu Dhabi; the
opening of Phase two is the realisation of this
vision. This industry is crucial to the long
term strategy of the Abu Dhabi Government as it
generates economic wealth by attracting new
business and tourism to the region," Sheikh
Sultan said.
"By providing facilities which are second to
none, we have demonstrated our commitment to the
exhibition industry for the foreseeable future
and in doing so have ensured that Abu Dhabi
retains its position as a major international
destination for exhibitions, conferences and
live events. I express my appreciation to all
who have supported this project and made it
possible."
Adnec began its journey three years ago when the
government of Abu Dhabi unveiled its vision to
revitalise the exhibition industry in the Middle
East.
The plan was to build the world's most modern
exhibition centre in the UAE capital, sign deals
with some of the most successful event
organisers, attract experienced exhibition
industry executives from around the world to
work in Abu Dhabi and prepare the exhibition
industry in the emirate for the demands of the
future.
Three years on and Adnec seems to have achieved
all of those objectives and more. The Gulf's
largest exhibition centre is regarded as one of
the most modern buildings of its type in the
world. And it has some significant milestones,
such as the International Defence Exhibition (Idex
2007), the show that launched the venue and gave
it global publicity.
Idex 2007 was followed by the busiest exhibition
season ever in Abu Dhabi, with a collection of
launch events being held at Adnec. GIBTM, Bride
Show Abu Dhabi, The Abu Dhabi International Book
Fair and Mother, Baby and Child were all held
within a few weeks. The season concluded with
the inaugural Cityscape Abu Dhabi.
In 2008, Adnec held a huge event – the World
Future Energy Summit.
Held over a three-day period, it was attended by
royalty, heads of state, ministers and chiefs of
staff from all over the world who discussed the
various aspects of renewable energy.
The other event, ISNR 2008 provided a platform
for the region's homeland security industry to
discuss issues vital to national security. The
Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2008 followed,
where thousands of schoolchildren from around
the emirate were invited to learn about Arabic
literature.
Even in summer, which is traditionally a quiet
time for the exhibition industry, Adnec
successfully hosted the inaugural 'Summer in Abu
Dhabi' festival. Over an eight week period, more
than 135,000 people visited the education and
entertainment event.
Since then, Adnec has staged a number of major
events, which have attracted attention from
around the world – Adihex and the Jewellery and
Watch Show are two examples.
No event has been bigger, however, than Adipec
2008, which has grown into one of the largest
petroleum events in the world.
A recent survey of MICE professionals tipped Abu
Dhabi as the second most important destination
in the Middle East – a rise of nine places in
just one year.
And, building on that platform, Adnec has many
significant achievements to its credit. It has
launched Capital Centre, the world's first fully
integrated exhibition lifestyle destination, and
constructed the Capital Gate tower. A convention
centre has been started in Al Ain – the Al Ain
Convention Centre – which gives the emirate's
second city a presence in the MICE industry. And
in terms of acquisitions overseas, the largest
exhibition centre in the United Kingdom's
capital - ExCeL London – now belongs to Adnec.
The company aims to become the world's leading
developer of destinations to serve the
international exhibitions, conferences and live
events industries.
The firm announced recently that Adnec will host
the 2012 World Ophthalmology Congress
Sheikh Sultan said: "Adnec has achieved what it
set out to do, and it has done it ahead of
schedule."
Modern exhibition centre
The Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company's (Adnec)
venue portfolio includes one of the most modern
exhibition centres in the world – the Abu Dhabi
National Exhibition Centre – and the British
capital's largest exhibition and conference
venue, ExCeL London.
Adnec is creating business districts to serve
Abu Dhabi's rapid expansion and emergence as an
exhibitions hub on the global stage.
The projects surrounding the Adnec venue include
Capital Centre, a development of 23 residential,
commercial and mixed-use towers; Capital Gate, a
35-storey tower with the five star Hyatt at
Capital Centre hotel; and a 2.4km Marina zone.
In addition, Adnec is developing The Al Ain
Convention Centre – a residential and business
micro city around a state-of-the-art convention
centre. |
