PREPARING FOR TOMORROW

As Abu Dhabi aims to become a powerhouse in the region's MICE sector, we look at how. it's building a holistic ecosystem that appeals to both domestic and international businesses

- VARUN GODINHO

Let’s examine the numbers. The 2022 edition of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) attracted 15,000 attendees and generated an estimated US$8.2 billion in business for the roughly 2,200 exhibiting companies.

Last year’s edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair witnessed the participation of 1,130 publishers from 80 countries, with 650 cultural, educational and artistic events held during the week-long event.

And the 2023 edition of the International Defence Exhibition, held alongside the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX 2023), attracted 132,507 visitors and 1,353 companies from around the world, with the UAE Armed Forces signing deals worth US$1.5 billion.

Based on these stats, it’s fair to say the MICE industry in Abu Dhabi is in rude health.

The decision to focus on the MICE industry is central to Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy beyond oil into a knowledge-based economy. The emirate is actively engaged in attracting businesses and events to the capital of the UAE.

After all, as Genevieve Leclerc, co-founder and CEO of global non-profit organisation Meet4Impact says: “Business events generate positive financial outcomes not just through the spending of visitors but also through the trade and foreign investment opportunities that follow the event. They also contribute to the skill and opportunity development, attracting talent to host cities, strengthening existing networks and collaborations, and forging new partnerships”.

LAYING THE GROUNDWORK