Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company has revealed that more than half a million people have visited the new Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) since the venue opened in February 2007.

The total number, which is equivalent to the population of a city the size of Las Vegas, was achieved earlier than expected because of a high turnout at the 13 major international exhibitions staged at ADNEC since it was opened by HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi, earlier this year.

ADNEC celebrates its success

Commenting on the announcement, Simon Horgan, ADNEC chief executive, said: “ADNEC was built because demand for a new world class exhibition centre in the UAE capital was extremely strong. I am, therefore, delighted that the first exhibitions at the new venue have been so successful in attracting visitors. In addition to the brand new events coming to Abu Dhabi because of the improved exhibition facilities, we are also seeing the general expansion of well-established shows because they have now been given a platform to grow and develop."

ADNEC recently announced that construction work has begun on Phase 2 of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The AED580 million (US$158 million) project will see the venue double in size to become the Middle East's largest purpose-built exhibition centre with inter-connected exhibition floor space totalling more than 55,000sqm.

“We fully expect to welcome around one million visitors a year to the venue once Phase 2 is complete. In doing so ADNEC will be responsible for a general growth in the UAE exhibition industry of around 25%.” Horgan concluded.

Phase 2 of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre is scheduled for completion in autumn 2008.