New international exhibition centre launched in Abu Dhabi

ADNEC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Simon Horgan said: “In any sophisticated exhibition market, organisers of events need a choice of venues. The dynamics within this market have matured and changed. The current policies operated by venues within the UAE determine what exhibitions the organisers are able to stage, and these decisions have established the size and shape of existing market. “For example, in a dramatically expanding market such as the construction sector, exhibitors and visitors may wish to visit either specialist exhibitions or more than one event per year. If a venue only allows one event each year then the sector is constricted. This is standard international practice. However, within the UAE it is a key indicator that a market has matured and reached a point of expansion. Commentators may conclude that the solution is to expand existing venues but this does not address the fact that international organisers need to compete at different venues and expand the overall market”. He added: “It is our goal to have a new centre and introduce a new approach to business. There are many innovative ideas that will be developed to set the new ADNEC complex apart – providing our clients with exceptional service and business practices. For example, we will not be competing with our organising customers by staging exhibitions in-house, as this practice discourages investment”. The location for this centre has been carefully selected: close to the major hotel developments and a short distance from Abu Dhabi Airport. The site is only 35 minutes from Jebel Ali, Dubai. The surrounding road network has been planned to allow for easy access and exit to the centre and multi-storey car parks will provide ample capacity for visitor and exhibitors. The area surrounding the new centre is scheduled for immediate development and will feature hotels, serviced apartments for 2000 people, 17 office towers, a marina development and a retail zone with over 100 outlets. As part of the development, the existing Sheikh Zayed Grandstand will be refurbished and linked to the new halls. Within it will be offices, food courts and a range of companies servicing the exhibition industry.