•    ADNEC welcomes more than 302,000 visitors across 120 events in first quarter of 2017

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 10 May, 2017 – Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) announced today that the value of its direct and indirect contribution to the economy of Abu Dhabi reached AED1.12 billion in Q1 2017, representing an 8 percent growth over target.

The company attributed the positive first quarter results to the improved contribution from its existing events including IDEX and NAVDEX 2017 that marked the largest and most successful edition in its history. 

In Q1 2017, ADNEC hosted 12 exhibitions, and 108 conferences and events that attracted more than 302,000 visitors to its venues in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. During the quarter, the venue also supported of 6,922 jobs and 240,396 guest nights for hospitality sector in the emirate. 

ADNEC also achieved a consistent growth in the number of its UAE nationals in its workforce that reached 60.8% of total staff, while the Emiratisation in senior management positions reached 82% towards the end of Q1, 2017. 

Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi. Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs Chairwoman of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, said: 'We are delighted with the strong Q1 results in 2017. ADNEC is implementing the collective vision of our leadership that recognizes the crucial role of non-oil sector in achieving sustainable economic growth.” 

Al Kaabi added: “Together with our partners, ADNEC takes pride in playing a major role in Abu Dhabi’s economic transformation through the development of business tourism sector and enhancing Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a destination of choice for key event organisers and professional associations. At ADNEC, we act on our core mandate to create new opportunities for Abu Dhabi economy through attracting more high profile international events to our venues.”  

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO at Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, said: “ADNEC has continued to deliver impressive growth and strong performance across all our business segments in the first quarter of 2017. This is achieved thanks to our continued focus on the diversifications of our event portfolio, meeting the evolving requirements of our customers, as well as developing the skills of our world class workforce especially the UAE national talents.” 

Al Dhaheri added: “As we continue into the second quarter of 2017, we are committed to maintaining the momentum and achieving new milestones despite increased competition from other key venues. We are confident that our top-notch facilities and ability to cater to the dynamic customer requirements will give us an edge over our competitors.” 

Among the key events hosted by ADNEC in the first quarter of 2017, IDEX and NAVDEX 2017 marked its largest and most successful edition in history. Held from 19 to 23 February, 2017 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the event drew the participation of 1,235 companies, and attracted 105,400 visitors, up 4.3 per cent compared to the previous edition. The event also facilitated business deals valued at AED 19.17 billion, posting a 5 per cent increase over the past edition. 

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2017, which ran from 13 to 18 January, 2017, welcomed 73 government ministers and 4,080 senior executives, an increase of 12% compared to 2016. International pavilions were hosted from 20 different countries, representing an 11% increase on last year. Held under the theme “practical steps towards a sustainable future”, ADSW 2017 was the first global gathering dedicated to sustainability since the COP22 climate change conference in Marrakesh, Morocco, in November, 2016.

ADNEC announced on March 1, 2017 its partnership with British Marine Boat Shows to host Abu Dhabi International Boat Show. Set to take place at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in October 2018, the event seeks to create a unique platform for exhibitors in the marine and leisure industries and support Abu Dhabi’s leisure marine industry through bringing leading international and local companies under one roof.

On March 7, 2017, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, officially inaugurated the Innovation Lab at ADNEC as part of its sustained efforts to instill a workplace culture based on creativity and innovation. Dedicated and accessible to all employees and departments across ADNEC, the Innovation Lab aims to shape a platform for brainstorming and effective decision-making at ADNEC. Through highlighting ADNEC’s services in a creative format, the lab will help employees deliver best-in-class services to ensure superior levels of customer satisfaction.

From March 30 to April 1, 2017, ADNEC hosted the 2nd International Motor Show Abu Dhabi (IMSAD) that provided a unique platform to launch the latest vehicles and to showcase existing models to thousands of visitors. The event included Custom Show Emirates, the biggest custom cars and bikes show in the Middle East, which highlighted the latest in auto customization products and services.

ADNEC has also succeeded in winning two major international conference bids during the first three months of 2017, which includes FIP Pharmaceutical Sciences World Congress 2019. Set to run at ADNEC from 22 to 26 September, 2019, the annual FIP conference is expected to attract more than 3,000 participants from across the world, including heads of international and regional associations as well as key decision makers in various disciplines related to the pharmaceutical sciences. The UAE the first country in GCC region and only the second in the Middle East to hold this important international event. The 2nd conference win will be announced later on this year.

In Q1 2017, ADNEC continued to deliver on its sustainability commitments, reducing 160 tones CO2 emissions through recycling 364 tons of materials. It also achieved significant cost savings through promoting energy efficiency and rationalised use of resources. 

ADNEC offers 133,000 square metres of interconnected floor space to meet the requirements of a wide variety of events and exhibitions. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and built to international standards, the venue attracted 1.5 million people across 480 events in 2016.