Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) announced that its impact on the Abu Dhabi economy in 2015 surged by 26% to AED3.47 billion from AED2.76 billion in 2014. This follows a 13% growth in the number of events hosted by Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and Al Ain Convention Centre (AACC), which collectively hosted a total of 369 events in 2015.

Addressing a press conference to announce the company’s 2015 results, Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Acting Group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, said: "ADNEC is pleased with yet another strong annual performance. We were able to achieve these results due to our flexibility and efficiency in delivering world-class events. We maintained high growth rates thanks to the sustained efforts in improving the quality of services offered to the events community. This positively reflected on Abu Dhabi economy by delivering an economic impact of AED 3.47 billion in 2015, up from AED2.76 billion in 2014.”

He added: “In addition, we attracted a host of new events increasing the total number of events hosted by our premier venues in the emirate of Abu Dhabi - including ADNEC and AACC - from 327 events in 2014 to 369 events in 2015, an increase of 13%. These events attracted 1.8 million visitors from across the world, up from 1.6 million visitors in 2014 - representing year-on-year growth of 13%.”

 Al Dhaheri also revealed that in 2015 ADNEC attracted 12 new exhibitions and witnessed a steep growth in the specialised conferences and congresses segment that posted a spectacular 110% growth. Going forward, ADNEC will leverage its world-class facilities and close synergies with its strategic partners to deliver more successful exhibitions and congresses in 2016. Towards this priority, ADNEC will redouble its efforts to develop and upgrade its facilities and pave the way for hosting more international and regional events.

Al Dhaheri added: “ADNEC today has a diverse team of highly skilled and talented Emiratis who are the backbone of our industry and the potential leaders of tomorrow. Towards the end of 2015, we had achieved a 55% Emiratisation target, up from 51 per cent in 2014. In addition, 83% of our senior management positions are today held by qualified young UAE nationals.

“ADNEC is proud to be an employer of choice for talented UAE nationals, who continue to deliver outstanding achievements for the company, even while enhancing Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a regional business tourism destination and engine of economic growth. Our efforts are in line with the goals envisioned by Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030."

Al Dhaheri said: “Furthermore, ADNEC supported the creation of more than 18,600 job opportunities within the UAE in 2015 across sectors associated with business tourism, registering a 28% increase over 2014 where we supported the creation of 14,500 jobs.”

“ADNEC also contributed to the high occupancy levels of hotels in the UAE delivering a total of 522,000 guest nights, a surge of 21 per cent compared to 430,000 guest nights in 2014. Of this 420,000 guest nights were recorded in Abu Dhabi alone.”

He further pointed out: “Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre marked the busiest month on its calendar of regional and international events in October 2015 when the region’s premier events venue hosted 41 scheduled events in a single month for the first time since inception.”

“This is 20% more than the monthly average of 34 events over the last five-year period between 2011 and 2015. ADNEC’s previous highest number of events in a month was in October 2012 when the venue hosted 40 events.”

The Acting Group CEO confirmed: “ExCeL London, the ADNEC-owned venue in the UK capital, also marked its most successful year since its inception by hosting159 events in 2015. The venue welcomed a total of 3.2 million visitors across 313 events in 2015, compared to 2.3 million visitors from 309 events in 2014. The premier venue anticipates continued success with customer-focused events and will welcome 30 millionth visitor within the next three years. ExCeL London also announced five prestigious award wins in 2015.

“In 2015, ADNEC scooped several prestigious industry recognitions and awards including the Most Sustainable Exhibition and Conference Venue for Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre at the Association of Event Organisers (AEO) Awards in London, the Best Meetings & Conference Centre at Business Destinations Travel Awards, the Best Commercial High-rise Development in the Arab Region for Capital Gate tower at the Grand Final of the International Property Awards 2015 and yet again the Best Commercial High-rise Development for Capital Gate tower at the Africa & Arabia Property Awards 2015. The ADNEC Group cumulatively won 81 international awards across diverse industry sectors.

“In 2015, ADNEC, in collaboration with public and private sector stakeholders, successfully split the Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX) from the flagship International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) brand. UMEX is now a biennial event under the umbrella of Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerospace Week (ADAAW). ADAAW will take place from 6 - 12 March 2016 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.”

Al Dhaheri also clarified that UMEX was made a standalone event along with the pilot edition of the Simulation Conference and Exhibition due to the remarkable growth and expansion witnessed by IDEX. In addition, the move will promote Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerospace Week (ADAAW) as a definitive aviation event comprising specialised exhibitions and components to meet the need of the fast growing aviation and aerospace industry. This will help the emirate emerge as a leading aviation and aerospace hub, while giving talented Emiratis an opportunity to gain exposure to the international exhibition and conference sector.

“In 2015, ADNEC hosted some of its largest and most successful events to date in terms of visitor turnout. IDEX 2015, for example, drew the participation of over 101,000 visitors and 1,200 international and local companies. Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC), on the other hand, attracted 80,000 visitors.

“All ADNEC teams have redoubled their efforts to achieve performance excellence across departments, while leveraging our competitive world-class facilities to ensure the sustainability of ADNEC’s growth across all business segments.

“In the coming year, ADNEC will continue its collaboration with its strategic partners to promote Abu Dhabi’s credentials to international event community, highlighting the emirate’s unique advantages as a preferred venue to host international congresses and exhibitions.”

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