Supported by the Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau and the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, the Middle East’s dedicated MICE and business travel industry exhibition will gather more than 3,000 industry professionals from around the globe, including government and corporate organisations, business travel and event management companies, airlines and cruise liners, hotels, resorts and spas, and national tourist organisations.

Over 300 MICE professionals and business travel executives who make budgetary decisions for the participation of their companies at international conferences, incentives and conventions, product launches, and staff training events will also participate in GIBTM’s Hosted Buyer programme.  Several of these hosted buyers have one-on-one meetings scheduled with the exhibitors.

Abu Dhabi’s strategic location at the geographic midpoint of key trade routes spanning Europe, the Asia Pacific region, Africa and North America makes it an ideal MICE destination. Additionally, the emirate is well poised to become one of the world’s leading centres of excellence in business, tourism, hospitality, quality infrastructure and environmental sustainability in line with the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030. While the capital city draws significant business tourism, new businesses that have opened shop in Abu Dhabi also ensure significant outbound business and incentive travel.   

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Chief Commercial Officer at ADNEC, said: “As a key driver of business tourism to Abu Dhabi, ADNEC is proud to host GIBTM, the foremost influential MICE industry event in the Middle East for the eighth consecutive year. With the growth of infrastructure as well as touristic and recreational options in the emirate, Abu Dhabi has evolved into a major international MICE destination of choice.

“Business travelers to Abu Dhabi are quick to see how the city efficiently combines its culture and heritage with the most modern infrastructural facilities, while integrating the feedback and interests of its business visitors. The growth of ADNEC as an extraordinary venue that plays host to many of the important events in Abu Dhabi has mirrored the progress of the capital city.” 

Exhibitors at GIBTM benefit from showcasing their products and services to a dedicated target audience of professionals and corporate attendees from key international markets. At the same time, professional visitors to GIBTM gain the opportunity to learn about latest trends in the MICE industry and explore the best solutions while choosing business conference/exhibition venues.  Exhibitors can simultaneously explore the recreational options in cities across the world for group business tourism requirements.

ADNEC offers 133,000 sq. meters of combined indoor and outdoor space that may be adapted to client needs. In 2013, the iconic venue in Abu Dhabi and the largest in the Gulf region attracted 1.53 million people across 328 events, a 9% increase over 2012.