The first ever Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings (GIBTM) exhibition opens today in Abu Dhabi, being staged at the brand new state-of-the-art National Exhibitions Centre (ADNEC) from March 13 - 15, 2007. The three day event, targeting the regional Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE) industry, will gather more than 175 international meetings and incentives suppliers and is expected to attract more than 1,000 visitors.
Suppliers representing the MICE markets in the Middle East, Europe and Asia will be attending GIBTM, providing business and networking opportunities for the international MICE industry. A CEO Summit, networking opportunities and education seminars will run in conjunction with the exhibition targeting the myriad of industries comprising the MICE sector.
The exhibition is the first event to be staged by Reed Travel Exhibitions in the UAE’s Capital City and is supported by ADNEC in association with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and Etihad Airways.
Commenting on the new show, Simon Horgan, CEO, ADNEC said, “GIBTM is a very important event for the international MICE industry and I’m delighted that it is being staged in Abu Dhabi – a city which recognises the importance of MICE to the local economy and the international profile of the region.”
“Abu Dhabi is quickly becoming established as one of the leading MICE destinations in the Middle East and it is fitting that representatives of the international conferences and exhibitions industry are gathering here to discuss and showcase the potential within the MICE sector,” Horgan added.
Phase One of the new National Exhibition Centre recently opened to the public, receiving praise for its ‘space, facilities and design’ from the first exhibitors to showcase at the venue during IDEX 2007 in February. ADNEC currently provides 28,000sqm of exhibition floor space over seven interconnected halls, two luxurious conference rooms, 16 meeting rooms and a 2,000sqm food court. When fully complete in 2008, ADNEC will contain 55,000sqm of exhibition floor space making it one of the largest exhibition venues in the Middle East.
ADNEC works in association with the ADTA to establish Abu Dhabi as a leading business tourism destination and attract more events to the emirate. Numerous studies have proven that a thriving MICE industry is very beneficial for an economy by attracting economic investment, creating employment and attracting business tourists.
About ِADNEC:
Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) is a first class MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) venue in the Middle East. ADNEC is following an expansion strategy with the aim of catalyzing the MICE industry in the UAE capital, and is developing a brand new 148,000 square metre business and leisure district termed the Capital Centre. Situated close to the Airport, the AED 8 billion Centre will house the state-of-the-art Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, an iconic 35-storeyed Feature Tower, a micro-city consisting residential, commercial and hotel accommodation, a marina and waterfront leisure zone and an existing grandstand. The exhibition centre project is being undertaken in three phases, and is expected to complete by 2009.
