Four of the world’s leading exhibition organising companies have been confirmed as ‘Foundation Partners’ with the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (Adnec), signing long-term agreements for shows at a new venue.

Reed Exhibitions, CMP Information, IIR (Middle East) and Dmg World Media have already committed a combined 30 shows for the city’s new 57,000 sq m exhibition centre, which is set to open early next year. The innovative ‘Foundation Partner’ strategy sees the venue and organisers making a mutual commitment to developing shows and Abu Dhabi’s exhibition sector to serve the rapidly emerging markets. Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and chairman of Adnec, said: “The events industry is a powerful medium through which Abu Dhabi can attract the attention of the region and the world … We recognise the foresight of these exhibition organisers and will support their investment by providing them with a world-class venue and management team.”
Jane Risby-Rose, CMP Information managing director, said the role of foundation partner would enhance its growing worldwide portfolio.
Risby-Rose said CMPi had been considering the Gulf region for sometime and was committed to Abu Dhabi for a number of reasons: its position as the UAE’s capital and a financial centre; the availability of massive business opportunities;  the innovative design of the centre; the integrity of the senior management with whom the company has dealt with for over 10 years in previous roles.
“We are already contracted with Adnec to cover one of our exhibition portfolios, and expect to sign up for numerous others in the next few months,” Risby-Rose said.
Mark Alcock, Dmg World Media’s deputy CEO, said his company planned to develop events in other markets in Abu Dhabi.”
Jessica Sutherland, IIR Middle East general manager, said IIR Middle East was the largest event organiser in the region and its success was founded on being first to market. “As a Foundation Partner we will be launching at least nine new exhibition titles in Abu Dhabi over the next two years and are very excited at the tremendous opportunity the new venue represents,” she said.
Simon Horgan, Adnec chief executive, said the unprecedented scale of developments underway and planned for Abu Dhabi was driving massive demand for exhibitions to serve that activity.
“The four partners, which combined organise more than 1,000 shows worldwide, had recognised the huge potential for exhibitions in Abu Dhabi and committed themselves to making the most of the unrivalled opportunities on offer,” he remarked.
“Our innovative Foundation Partner concept is a new way of building an exhibition business and symbolises the strongest mutual commitment to working together to maximise the impact of exhibitions.”
Exhibitions already confirmed for the venue’s new halls include IIR’s CityScape Abu Dhabi; Dmg World Media’s acquisition of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference (Adipec) and Reed Travel Events’ new Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings exhibition (GIBTM).
Commenting on GIBTM, Paul Kennedy, Reed Travel Exhibitions’ group exhibitions director, said: “The Middle East is seeing a surge in interest from planners, so the show will be based on a high-level hosted buyer programme.”
The new exhibition complex is already well advanced in its construction with the first phase of the 57,000 sq m of halls on schedule to be open early in 2007. The completed venue will also feature a 21,000 sq m visitor concourse and dedicated conference facilities for 1,200 people.