Press Release Details

Abu Dhabi on the verge of a new era of exhibitions

Publication Date: 4 Feb 2007

The countdown is on to the opening of Abu Dhabi's superb new Exhibition Centre - now just days away from opening in the UAE Capital City. The latest landmark event is the successful completion of Environment 2007, the last ever event staged at the old venue which has been the city's major site for exhibitions since 1986.

Commenting on the closure of the old venue, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company (ADNEC) said,

"It is with a touch of sadness that we are closing the existing Exhibition Centre which has served us well over the last decade. However, this feeling is outweighed one hundred times with the joy we have at seeing a magnificent new exhibition centre emerge in Abu Dhabi."
"As the first phase of the brand new Exhibition Centre nears completion, our vision for the world's most modern exhibition centre to be in Abu Dhabi is on the verge of becoming a reality." Sheikh Sultan added.

Millions of visitors have attended more than 1,000 exhibitions at the old exhibition centre, located in the city's diplomatic district, since its 1986 opening. Major international events held at the old venue, including ADIPEC, the Environment Exhibition, Safety & Security and IDEX, have contributed to Abu Dhabi's reputation as a premier destination for the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) venue.

Phase 1 of the new Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre will open in February to host IDEX 2007, one of the world's largest defence exhibitions. When complete, the state-of-the-art multi purpose exhibition complex will offer 55,000 square meters of interconnecting hall space, including a 3,168 square meter atrium, 18,000 square meters of U-shaped concourse, 2,000 square meters of food courts and a sizeable multi-storey car-park.

ADNEC is also working with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) to establish Abu Dhabi as a leading business tourism destination and attract the world's premier events to the emirate. Four of the world's leading exhibition organising companies have recently confirmed their status as 'Foundation Partners' for the new venue, jointly bringing more than 30 additional shows to the new Exhibition Centre.

"The new Exhibition Centre will be a catalyst for attracting major investments, industrial growth and increased tourism to the emirate. We predict that the new venue will help to grow the exhibition industry in the UAE by at least 25% and attract more than one million visitors a year to Abu Dhabi from 2008."

said Simon Horgan, Chief Executive Officer, ADNEC.

"We are delighted to usher in a new era of exhibitions in Abu Dhabi, as the new exhibition centre will have the resources, facilities and services to drive the regional exhibition industry to new levels of success," Horgan concluded.

For further information please contact:

Ben Collins
Marketing Manager
Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company
Tel: + 971 2 4446900
Fax: + 971 2 4446135
P.O.Box: 5546
Email: ben.collins@adnec.ae