From Welsh crooner Tom Jones, to military-grade tanks and majestic falcons, the stars who have appeared at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) are eclectic to say the least.
The city’s premiere events venue is making headlines again this week as it hosts the biennial International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex 2023), the region’s biggest arms and defence technology sales exhibition.
See images of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid's visit to Idex
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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, tours the 16th International Defence Exhibition and Conference at Adnec. He was accompanied by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai. All photos: Wam -
Sheikh Mohammed with Sheikh Mansour on the tour of Idex -
The Ruler of Dubai said the nation's defence capabilities were pivotal to its security -
Sheikh Mohammed toured Idex on Wednesday and was greeted by Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled, deputy prime minister of Kuwait. -
Idex will host about 1,350 companies, 350 delegations and scores of military personnel, officials and decision-makers during the week-long conference -
Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikh Mansour and Sheikh Hamdan visit the stands of various exhibitors -
Sheikh Mohammed speaks with Sheikh Mansour and Sheikh Hamdan
This comes on the back of a host of events ranging from the International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex), the international get-together of educators Najah Abu Dhabi and the oil exhibition and conference Adipec.
The business events will soon make way for a legion of superstar actors and fans dressed in their favourite superhero costumes as part of the Middle East Film and Comic Con from March 3 to 5.
Such an eclectic calendar is the point.
Ever since opening in 2005, Adnec has fulfilled its promise of being a state-of-the-art centre, catering to events big and small.
From conferences to concerts, it has brought some of the world’s leading thinkers and pop stars to Abu Dhabi, while forming a meeting point for UAE residents.
That growth has been rapid.
Adnec staged just 14 events in its first year, but in 2010 hosted 119, as previously reported in The National.
According to its 2019 annual report, it staged a record number of 496 events, comprising 235 conferences and 11 exhibitions attended by more than 2.3 million people.
While many events are generally industry specific, the venue's biggest impact was arguably its pivotal role in Abu Dhabi’s response to the pandemic.
In 2020 it was transformed by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi into a state-of-the-art field hospital treating Covid-19 patients free of charge.
The 31,000-square-metre space had 1,000 beds staffed by 150 medics.
Adnec also led the recovery of Abu Dhabi’s events and cultural sector in the wake of the pandemic in 2021 by hosting occasions such as VidCon, the Emirates Skills National Competition and the UAE Muaythai Championship successfully under health and safety measures.
With plenty of events yet to come, including hundreds of authors and publishers for the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair in May, the next chapter of this remarkable venue looks as bright as ever.
The 2022 Abu Dhabi International Book Fair - in pictures
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Emiratis and expatriates alike found their way through alleys of books at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, while parents were seen pushing prams with one hand and dragging a trolley full of books with the other. -
The fair runs at Adnec from 9am to 10pm until May 3. -
A man glances at a book at the fair. -
The fair, being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre until May 3, has attracted booksellers from all over the world. -
Booksellers from around the world have once again made the emirate their home for the week. -
Artist Fadi Fayad gets to work in the illustrators corner during the first day of the Abu Dhabi book fair. -
The Abu Dhabi Media stall at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. -
Emiratis and expatriates alike found their way through alleys of books at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, while parents were seen pushing prams with one hand and dragging a trolley full of books with the other.
