The UK-based contracting services arm of GES Exposition Services, Melville Exhibition and Event Services, has secured the rights to deliver electrical and contracting services at the new 600,000 square foot Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

As a result of this agreement, Melville Middle East will be the exclusive provider of installation and removal of temporary mains electrical equipment, piped services, rigging, floor mark out and other related services.

Kevin Rabbitt: stressing the importance of Abu Dhabi

"Abu Dhabi is an important and growing market for international exhibitions and events, and Melville and GES are proud to extend the GES Worldwide Network to this key international market for show organisers and exhibitors," said GES president and chief executive officer Kevin Rabbitt.

The announcement is timely following the recent presentation during National Meetings Week by Martin Sirk, chief executive of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), who commented on the astonishing degree of meeting and convention infrastructure investment that both China and the Middle East, particularly the United Arab Emirates, have made to ensure that they secure access to the global business tourism that can be realised from the meetings and events sectors.

It also further illustrates that Melville has its finger firmly on the international pulse and has a clear and achievable plan to exploit the globalisation of the meetings industry, while domestic markets begin to plateau in the face of competition, restrictive taxation, environmental legislation and beaurocratic health and safety compliance.

"The recent and planned development of a world class exhibition centre and the surrounding hospitality, tourism, and business infrastructure of the Capital Centre in Abu Dhabi make it an attractive exhibition destination of international scale," said GES senior vice president of international Jason Popp. “Abu Dhabi is an ideal market to expand Melville's venue services capabilities."

For more information, visit www.melville.co.uk