15 August 2012
Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre saw a 56 per cent year-on-year increase as its total number of events shot up to 231 from 148 in 2010. Events hosted at ExCeL increased from 242 in 2010 to 284 in 2011, an increase of 17 per cent.
"The growing number and scale of the events we host is a clear signal of our ambitions and rising prominence in the events industry," said H.E. Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, ADNEC's Managing Director.
"In 2010, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre made great strides towards its goal of becoming the most successful exhibition, conference and events centre in the region. ADNEC is raising the profile of Abu Dhabi internationally and playing a key role in boosting the volume of business tourism to the Emirate. The ADNEC team is moving forward and developing the company in line with Abu Dhabi's strategic 2030 vision", added H.E. Al Dhaheri.
Key ADNEC milestones in 2011 included:
Looking to the year ahead, ADNEC will be hosting Abu Dhabi's largest ever congress to date in February with the World Ophthalmology Congress 2012 expected to bring in more than 12,000 delegates.
Also taking place in the first quarter is World Future Energy Summit 16-19 January, the world's foremost annual meeting for the renewable energy and environment industry, International Security National and Resilience (ISNR) Abu Dhabi 19-21 March, bringing together the entire spectrum of homeland security issues, and Gulf Incentive Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) 26-28 March, the five-star event for the meetings and events industry in the Middle East.
Abu Dhabi's second largest congress, the 18th World Route Development Forum, will take place in the autumn, followed by the UFI Annual Congress - the first time the key exhibition industry event is held in the Arabian Gulf - and ADIPEC, the largest oil and gas show outside of North America, both in November. The 2012 edition of ADIPEC will mark the 15th successive edition, and encompasses quayside exhibition space at ADNEC's purpose-built marina.
At ExCeL London, the highlight this year with be the seven Olympic events (240 medals) and six Paralympic events (222 medals) which will be staged at the venue as part of the London 2012 games this summer.