Abu Dhabi, UAE – 30 October 2021: Global experts and leaders in the MICE and business tourism sectors praised the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) for its efforts and strategic role in supporting the sectors’ recovery phase following the challenges brought on by the pandemic.

They pointed out that ADNEC’s exceptional infrastructure, flexible teams and facilities enabled it to continue building on its successes. Providing a complete turnkey solution, the company was commended for its efforts to lead the recovery phase of the industry by hosting and organising major events locally, regionally and globally. ADNEC’s prioritisation of the health and safety of all event attendees, in addition to its strong partnerships with various stakeholders, allowed all to conduct business confidently and in a safe and secure environment. 

This recognition came at the conclusion of the activities of the inaugural edition of the Abu Dhabi Business Events Week, which concluded at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) last week, confirming Abu Dhabi’s position as a leader in the business tourism sector. Hosting the event came as part of ADNEC’s strategy to build a busy schedule of exhibitions and specialised events in the capital.

Expressing how essential great venues are to the recovery phase on the industry, Naji El Haddad, Regional Director for UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, said: "I am very excited to join the business event community here at ADNEC as part of Abu Dhabi Business Tourism Week. Stakeholders and partners from across the region have today to discuss the future of our industry to develop the roadmap to full recovery.  Venues such as ADNEC who provide state-of-the-art facilities and services in a business driven and safe environment are essential to recovery."

Remarking on the importance of hosting events such as ADBEW at ADNEC, Jessie States, Vice President for MPI Academy said: "As we look to begin to recognise that international business is on its way and returning, we look to events like this to set the stage for us to really welcome back our industry, community, organisations, governments and businesses, and to look at how creativity and unique places play an important role in the future of our business."

Commenting on how ADNEC is the perfect central hub for likeminded professionals to collaborate, Annalisa Ponchia Baccara, Director of Innovation and Customer Experience at AIM Group International, added: “ADNEC is the perfect location for a meeting like the Abu Dhabi Business Events Week.”

She added: “After what has been long period that this community could not really be together, this is a great way to refresh collaboration and think about new ways of conducting business.”

Cathy Braden, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for IAEE said: “It is my great pleasure to be here today in ADNEC for this wonderful conference I am attending for ADBEW. ADNEC and the safety protocols that they have put in place certainly makes me feel very comfortable about being here as business recovery continues. Bringing people together is so very important and the relationships and collaborations that comes out of us being together across borders does nothing but bring us together as a global community."

Speaking on the importance of partnership in the industry, Ashley Roberts, General Manager at CONNECT said: “MEDBW and MEMT have been born out of partnership with ADNEC who understands and believe in our long term ambitions to build events that prosper and have longevity, as well as play a fundamental part in stimulating the economy of Abu Dhabi and the wider economy of the UAE.”

ADNEC has made sure to take all the necessary precautions for welcoming the visitors to ADBEW 2021, as the wellbeing and health of the participants, exhibitors, and visitors are at the top of its priority, and it has taken a wide range of precautionary and preventative measures developed in cooperation with various relevant sides.

The Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), aims to make ADBEW an annual event on the MICE calendar. ADBEW aims to provide a platform for industry leaders and practitioners to learn, innovate and collaborate with an agenda of summits, workshops, and networking events.