Abu Dhabi-based major venue development and management firm Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) is planning to expand the group’s facilities and infrastructure in Abu Dhabi and London.
According to the company, this step will significantly contribute to reaffirming its leading global position in the business tourism sector. Further, the expansion plans will improve ADNEC’s competitiveness and ability to attract and host significant international events across a wide range of sectors.
The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre’s development activities include the construction of the largest exhibition hall in the Middle East and North Africa region, with a total space of 10,000 square meters. This will be positioned at the Marina across from the Centre and will be the first of its kind in the region to be located on a waterfront.
As per the company, the development work for the ExCeL London center in the UK, which is owned fully by ADNEC, will include beginning the third stage of expanding its facilities. This involves adding 25,000 square meters of space for exhibitions, establishing new halls for meetings and conferences, and adding several services facilities across three floors, which will increase the center’s overall space by 25 percent to reach 125,000 square meters.
Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri MD & Group CEO ADNEC
“The new expansion of the group’s assets in Abu Dhabi and London affirms the increasing importance of the business and leisure tourism sectors. These industries are key in advancing the next stage for both countries’ economies, as they help diversify sources of income and strengthen the main sustainable contributors to it. ADNEC’s strategy is based on the principles of turning challenges into opportunities, and this is what the company’s team has done by emphasizing the readiness of the group’s centers to lead the stage of recovery. We have moved on from the exceptional circumstances that have affected the world by providing an advanced infrastructure with the necessary flexibility to welcome people from across the globe once more to our centers in a safe and reliable business environment. This approach is in line with the vision and aspirations of our wise leadership and will continue to be so for the next fifty years.”
Mr. Al Dhaheri commented, “The development process for the company’s centers will contribute to increasing the direct and indirect contributions of the tourism business sector to the economy of Abu Dhabi and London. It supports sustainable development in the UAE and Britain, leading to transferring and localizing advanced technologies in both countries.”
Mr. Jeremy Rees, Chief Executive Officer at ExCeL London said, “This expansion of ExCeL London confirms ADNEC’s commitment to boosting the center’s competitiveness and its ability to provide services to partners according to the highest international standards. It will contribute to supporting the efforts to enhance the position of London and the Royal Docks district as a preferred destination for hosting leading global events.”
“ExCeL London has played a pivotal role in revitalizing the economy through the events it hosts which help support the prosperity of sectors such as public transport, hospitality, accommodations, and aviation. This latest investment will enable ExCeL to continue having a positive economic and social impact for years to come, benefitting communities across London,” Mr. Rees further added.
The company noted that the current and future expansion plans will have no effect on operations or event hosting at these locations, and the enhancement of their facilities and infrastructure will increase their distinction and ability to serve more sectors and attract more exhibitor firms from around the world.
