Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) has hosted a meeting of its potential associations, corporate clients and trade press on the sidelines of IMEX Frankfurt 2015, the largest European trade show for the meetings and incentive travel industry currently underway in Frankfurt, Germany.

The meeting was headlined by Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Acting Group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) and David Pegler, CEO of ADNEC-owned ExCeL London.

In his opening address, Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri provided a detailed overview of ADNEC’s expansive venues and facilities while elaborating on the many benefits and opportunities offered by Abu Dhabi as a leading destination. He pointed that ADNEC has emerged within a short time span as an important vehicle to deliver successful international events in the Middle East and abroad.

Al Dhaheri said: “Our emirate has embarked on an ambitious economic diversification plan as part of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. Abu Dhabi commands a strategic location with half of the world’s population living within a five-hour flight from the city. Besides being one of the top 10 global cities in providing a favourable climate for foreign investment, Abu Dhabi is a preferred destination of choice for talented minds from across the globe with more than 143 diverse nationalities living together in harmony.”

“Despite its short history, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company has now become a prominent business tourism destination at both global and regional levels. This was made possible due to the diligent efforts of our Emirati work force whose efforts paid off by winning us the hosting rights of several specialized international conferences and events, while delivering significant direct and indirect economic impact for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.”

“The synergy between Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and ExCeL London makes running events across continents a seamless experience, while maximising business opportunities and dividends in Abu Dhabi and London for our stakeholders. At ADNEC, we look forward to collaborating with our stakeholders towards promoting Abu Dhabi as a global MICE hub,” Al Dhaheri added.

He also noted the breakfast gathering would help ADNEC broaden its engagement with global decision makers, especially in the Europe, while updating key stakeholders about the ongoing and upcoming development plans of the company to tap into  the huge potentials offered by Abu Dhabi in business tourism sector. For his part, David Pegler, CEO of ADNEC-owned ExCeL London, said: “Since ADNEC’s acquisition, ExCeL London has helped London move from 19^th to   6^th position in ICCA rankings within just five years - largely due to ADNEC’s continued investment in technology as well as venue development.”

“Additionally, the venue has promoted more effective and efficient transfer of knowledge and skills between the two exhibition hubs, while allowing organisers more time to focus on event outcomes and run events more economically. This gathering has come at the right time as our venues are set to host several major international events in the coming period, which will in turn trigger significant economic development both in Abu Dhabi and London.”

ADNEC’s delegation to IMEX Frankfurt 2015 is headed by Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Acting Group CEO and includes the company’s senior business development executives. ADNEC’s participation also seeks to complement its ongoing efforts to attract more international events to both Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and Al Ain Convention Centre.

The annual event convenes the largest global raft of exhibitors from every sector in the meetings industry. In addition to the participation of 3,500 worldwide exhibitors and hundreds of meeting professionals, conference delegates, meeting planners, buyers, and event organisers, IMEX Frankfurt 2015 features a series of educational sessions, networking programmes, workshops and thought sessions, among others.

ADNEC offers 133,000 sq m of inter-connected floor space to match the expectations of a wide variety of events and exhibitions. Equipped with modern facilities and built to international standards, the venue attracted 1.6 million people across 327 events in 2014.