Abu Dhabi is set to host a record-breaking IDEX edition when the show’s 10th anniversary takes place 20 – 24 February 2011 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre under the patronage of HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
Addressing the official pre-event press conference in the UAE capital today, His Excellency Major General Obaid Al Ketbi, Head of Committees & Spokesman for IDEX 2011 said: “For the first time since IDEX’s inception in 1993, exhibitor numbers have gone past the 1000-mark recording 18.2 percent growth over IDEX in 2009, to reach 1060 exhibitors”.
“Total event space (gross sqm) has grown 14.8 percent to 124,000sqm (108,000sqm in 2009), with IDEX exhibitors this year, representing 53 countries (50 in 2009), including 32 national pavilions (same as 2009). Net event space (net sqm) has increased 14.58 percent to 43,219sqm (37,719sqm in 2009)”.
IDEX (International Defence Exhibition & Conference) is organised by ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company) in association with the UAE Armed Forces. Tawazun Holding is the headline sponsor for the event.
“Despite being a long-established show, at every IDEX we strive for something new: new companies, new countries, new facilities and innovations and this time, is no different,” Major General Ketbi said.
Of the 1060 exhibitors this year, 49 exhibiting companies will be located within the dedicated First Time Exhibitor Zone (FTEZ) introduced at this edition.
Also, a new feature at this edition is NAVDEX – a dedicated naval defence exhibition that’s being held in parallel, at the ADNEC Marina and connected via a pedestrian bridge to the main exhibition venue. Organised by Clarion Events on behalf of ADNEC in association with the UAE Armed Forces GHQ, NAVDEX occupies 16,000sqm (gross), with 81 exhibiting companies, as well as 4 visiting navy ships from the UAE, the UK, Italy and France. NAVDEX is set to enter the record-books as the largest launch event in the UAE in 2011, as well as ensuring the naval component is a crucial and increasingly important element at all future IDEX editions.
Stating that ADNEC was greatly honored to play a key role in the organisation of IDEX along with the UAE Armed Forces GHQ, His Excellency Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, ADNEC’s Managing Director said: “A show of this stature gives us the opportunity to showcase our organisational capabilities as well as the excellent facilities we have been able to establish at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre under the Abu Dhabi leadership’s mandate.
For IDEX this year, the historic ADNEC Grandstand, a 30-year old city landmark and an integral element in the IDEX Opening Ceremony, has been significantly enhanced with the development of a brand-new Royal Box; a striking new canopy which arches over the Grandstand; and a new, tiered-seating system, to create a comfortable spectator experience. Also, the display area which is located directly in front of the ADNEC Grandstand has undergone significant development to create a permanently expanded parade area which will be used for the show. Another key investment made by ADNEC since the last IDEX, is the addition of the 408-room Aloft hotel, inter-connected with the exhibition centre.
“ADNEC is firmly committed to the success of IDEX and will continue to make ongoing improvements to our facilities in order to drive home the show’s pre-eminent status as one of the premier showcases for systems, equipment and technology for the tri-service defence sector. I am convinced IDEX 2011 will once again prove ADNEC’s abilities in delivering a world-class event at a world-class venue,” said Al Dhaheri.
The UAE will have a significant presence at IDEX 2011 with 169 exhibitors occupying an area of 12,260sqm. The largest international country pavilion is Germany (3,595sqm) followed by USA (3,411sqm), Turkey (2,179sqm) and Italy (1,782 sqm).
The largest international exhibitor is Germany’s Rheinmetall AG, occupying 1,274sqm space whereas the largest UAE exhibitor will be Mubadala Development Company and its subsidiaries, with a 1,870sqm stand. Tawazun Holding will occupy a total of 1,662sqm of combined indoor and outdoor space and is also looking to capitalise on the opportunity of being the Headline Sponsor, an honour that the company also held at the last IDEX.
H.E. Saif Al Hajeri, CEO Tawazun Holding and OPB (Offset Program Bureau) said: “Under the country’s wise leadership and the guidance of the UAE Armed Forces GHQ, IDEX has, over the past 18 years, become one of the world’s leading gatherings for the defence industry. Tawazun is delighted to be the headline sponsor of IDEX in its 10th edition during 2011.”
The official conference for IDEX, the Gulf Defence Conference (GDC), will be held on Saturday 19th February at the Armed Forces Officers’ Club. The GDC, organised by INEGMA (Institute for Near East & Gulf Military Analysis) on behalf of ADNEC, is expected to host more than to 400 delegates and 9 international speakers focusing particularly on the emerging threats and novel technologies for GCC defence and security. This 2011 edition of the Gulf Defence Conference will be essential attendance for anyone seeking to understand the fast changing defence and security environment in which they are working, whether from government, industry, the military or academia.
More than 50,000 visitors including heads of state, high-ranking military and defence procurement officials, as well as business visitors are expected to attend IDEX 2011.
As IDEX, the MENA region’s largest tri-service defence shows prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary, strong growth – both in exhibitor numbers and show size, new components such as NAVDEX and the First Time Exhibitor Zone as well as traditionally-popular IDEX elements such as the GDC, and the live mobility and marine demonstrations, will be underpinned by the significant business deals that are expected to be announced at the show.
IDEX 2011 will open its doors to an audience of VIPs, Media and 150 official delegations on Sunday 20th February with a grand opening ceremony.
