venue profiles: convention centres: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre...
Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
A pivotal element of the city’s Plan 2030 development vision, and one of the most impressive inter-connected exhibition centres in the Gulf region, ADNEC’s 73,000 square metres of flexible event space is the focal point of the US$2 billion under-development Capital Centre project.
Space
11 individual inter-connecting halls, a newly launched flexible 5,000-seater auditorium, two conference rooms and 10 meeting suites.
The fully air-conditioned venue halls range from 3,168 square metres up to 5,505 square metres and are all flat-floored and inter-connecting.
ADNEC’s Hall 12 was recently converted into a flexible auditorium venue with 5,000 hydraulic seats and a total floor space of 7,920 square metres.
For conferences and corporate meetings, there are 10 Capital Suites located on the mezzanine level directly above the exhibition halls featuring natural light, dedicated planning manager service, network points, a purpose-built servery and storeroom area. The flexible suites are multi-purpose from a boardroom set-up for 17, up to a cocktail/buffet setting for 120 people.
ADNEC’s two conference rooms are located off the main exhibition concourse and can comfortably seat 1,150 delegates or be divided in up to four sections for classrooms-style events for 60 people.
As part of the centre’s innovative design, the front of hall divider can be partially removed to allow a show to expand into the huge public concourse which has natural light.
Successes
World Future Energy Summit, IDEX, GIBTM, Cityscape Abu Dhabi, GASTECH.
Coming up
Cityscape Abu Dhabi, April 18-21; Middle East Food, April 26-28; Future Museums Congress, June 7-9; Abu Dhabi Medical Congress, October 24-26; ADIPEC, November 1-4; Abu Dhabi International Motor Show, December 15-19.
Going green
In early 2008 ADNEC initiated its ‘Re-use, Reduce, Recycle’ environmental campaign to coincide with the launch of the World Future Energy Summit as part of a long-term commitment to become one of the region’s most eco-friendly event venues. Recycling stations are situated throughout the exhibition complex and results are carefully monitored.
In the adjacent Aloft Abu Dhabi Hotel, 90 percent of the hot water for the guestrooms, two kitchens, dining outlets, office and swimming pool is supplied through energy generated by the hotel’s 560 solar panels, installed on the roof of Car Park A.
Hospitality
Four-star hotel accommodation is available at the recently opened 408-room Aloft Abu Dhabi Hotel and a second property, the Hyatt at Capital Centre hotel housed in the Capital Gate tower, is scheduled to open at the start of 2011.
The hotel also has a number of chic food and beverage outlets that double up as unique meeting spaces. Mai Café is a relaxed poolside space that can host events for up to 300 guests; Re:lax @ 12, the rooftop lounge, has space for 250 people with an additional terrace for a further 200 people; and the outdoor Splash banqueting area is a private location for up to 530 dinner guests or 1,000 for a standing cocktail reception.
The 189-room Hyatt at Capital Centre will also offer hospitality space with a 180-seater main restaurant and outdoor terrace. A venue highlight will be the 18th floor sky lobby tea lounge offering panoramic city views.
Technology
Wireless Internet access is available throughout the exhibition centre via the ADNEC Open Air service.
A fully automated retractable tiered seating system powers the 5,000-seater auditorium. At the touch of a button, 23 rows of high specification seating can be unfolded within minutes.
Additional acoustic panels, moveable partitions, matching tiered mobile units and flat floor VVIP, VIP and multi-use seats complement the auditorium set-up.
Future
With the exhibition centre at its heart, ADNEC is the focal point of the US$2 billion mixed-use Capital Centre development, which already houses the Aloft Abu Dhabi Hotel, and which will include 23 hotel, residential and commercial towers including Capital Gate - the iconic 35-storey centrepiece with its world record-setting vertically inclined design. Future phases also include the 2.4 kilometre-long Marina Zone, which is currently being master planned.
Why ADNEC?
• Size and flexibility of venue space
• Hub for the Capital Centre development – the region’s first integrated exhibitions lifestyle destination
• Part of a growing network of world-class business destinations including ADNEC, ExCel (London) and the under-development Al Ain Convention Centre (a residential commercial micro-city)
