Cityscape Abu Dhabi wrapped up yesterday (Thursday, May 10, 2007), amidst the praise of both exhibitors and visitors who claimed that the event’s location in the UAE’s Capital City attracted high-net-worth visitors, resulting in a large volume of business transactions.

It is the first time the event has been held in Abu Dhabi, and more than 200 real estate, finance and consultancy companies exhibited projects worth US$400 billion at the new Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from May 08 – 10, 2007.

Commenting on the exhibition, Mark Goodchild, Cityscape Abu Dhabi Project Manager for show organiser, IIR (Middle East) said,

“We are absolutely delighted with the support of the real estate professionals of the region, and the huge turnout reflects a fantastic launch to the event. With the support of ADNEC and the Abu Dhabi Government, we are looking forward to Cityscape Abu Dhabi growing even larger to emulate the capital’s success.”

Exhibitor Lamis Maraqah, Communication Manager of Mawared, also noted,

“This was the right event, in the right location, at the right time. The show was very successful because we were able to connect with a serious segment of high net worth investors that we had difficulty reaching on previous occasions.”

Cityscape Abu Dhabi was the 10th major exhibition to be held at ADNEC since its opening in February 2007 by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The multi-purpose venue is the most modern exhibition facility in the world and boasts 28,000 square metres of exhibition floor space over seven interconnected halls. The centre also includes two luxurious conference rooms, 16 meeting rooms and a 2,000 square metre food court.

Simon Horgan, Chief Executive Officer, ADNEC, also commented,

"The feedback from the show has been extremely positive, and the overall success of Cityscape Abu Dhabi reflects the growing importance of the city as a major event destination. We have already confirmed more than 50 major exhibitions for 2008 and we look forward to welcoming even more visitors and exhibitors from all over the world to Abu Dhabi."

Construction work has recently commenced on Phase 2 of ADNEC, which will see the venue double in size to become the Middle East’s largest purpose-built exhibition centre. When construction finishes in autumn 2008, the venue will feature more than 55,000 square metres of inter-connected exhibition floor space, a multi-purpose hall with seating for more than 5,000 people, 15 meeting rooms and two multi-storey car parks with space for more than 8,000 vehicles.

The influx of new exhibitions being held at ADNEC is encouraging the growth of the exhibition industry in the UAE and is developing Abu Dhabi into a Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) hub of the region. It is predicted that by 2008, ADNEC will welcome more than one million visitors a year and will grow the exhibition industry in the UAE by more than 25 per cent.

For further information please contact:

Ben Collins
Marketing Manager
Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company
Tel: + 971 2 4446900
Fax: + 971 2 4446135
P.O.Box: 5546
Email: ben.collins@adnec.ae