Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) and Reed Exhibitions have announced that they have signed a long term agreement which will result in many high profile events being staged at the new state-of-the-art exhibition centre currently under construction in the UAE capital city. Reed Exhibitions becomes the owner of established events such as the Environment Exhibition, the Security Show and IDEX – one of the world’s largest defence exhibitions which will take place February 18 – 22, 2007 and become the inaugural event of ADNEC’s new exhibition centre. The agreement will also see Reed bring many new events to Abu Dhabi; GIBTM will take place in March 2007 and many more events will be announced in the near future. Simon Horgan, Chief Executive, ADNEC, said: “Abu Dhabi is developing at a phenomenal pace and this is driving an escalating demand for exhibitions. The agreement between ADNEC, the world’s most modern exhibition venue, and Reed Exhibitions, the world’s leading organiser of exhibitions and conferences will help to meet this rising demand.” Senior Reed Exhibitions executive, FrĂ©dĂ©ric Theux, who is appointed President of Reed Exhibitions Middle East, will head the new business in the UAE. Commenting on the agreement, Theux said: “We recognise that the unprecedented speed of change in the UAE and in the Gulf Region is creating great new potential for the exhibitions business. Our customers around the world have expressed interest in the opportunities afforded in the region. The creation of ultra-modern, expanded facilities at ADNEC will be a catalyst for the growth of Abu Dhabi as a major business meetings destination in the Middle East.” When complete, the Exhibition Centre will feature around 56,000 square metres of hall space, a 21,000 square metres concourse, an 8,000sqm high specification multi-purpose hall for conferences and events, as well as conference and banqueting facilities for 1,200 people. | 
