New owner, new venue for IDEX 2007

Reed Exhibitions, a subsidiary of Reed Elsevier, a FTSE 100 company, is the world's leading organizer of trade and consumer events. It has recently acquired the IDEX show as well as two other shows formerly hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC). Reed Exhibitions has bought the rights to IDEX from ADNEC, which has sold the rights to all of its former trade shows and conferences to become a major exhibitions facility provider and development company.

At the Diplomat and Media Briefing held at the UAE Armed Forces Club in Abu Dhabi today, Staff Major General Obaid Al Ketbi, Chief of Logistics Staff and Chairman of the Military Committee for IDEX 2007 for GHQ Armed Forces welcomed both the new owners of the show as well as the new exhibition centre.

'We welcome Reed to Abu Dhabi and value its fine reputation for the very best in exhibition management. We promise our continued support and close cooperation with REED to enhance future features of IDEX,' Major General Al Ketbi said. He also noted the new state-of-the-art exhibition centre will further enhance the conduct of business at IDEX and strengthen the show's international exposure and reputation.

Reed Exhibitions organizes DSEi, London, which along with IDEX is considered a leading multi-sector defence exhibitions internationally. Reed also conducts more than 460 exhibitions and trade shows annually in 38 countries. Frederic Theux, President of Reed Exhibitions Middle East said that the acquisition of IDEX was a natural move for Reed, which expects to build on the synergies of both well-respected international defence shows.

'IDEX has become known as a first-class show that is the focal point for defence product acquisition in the Middle East and Asia,' Theux said. 'With the addition of purpose-built facilities as well as the growing reputation of Abu Dhabi as an investment and touristic destination, we think that IDEX will achieve major success as the pre-eminent defence exhibition outside the western world.'

IDEX 2007 will be first exhibition to take place in the new state of the art Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre, the most modern purpose-built exhibition facility in the world. As the briefing continued, just a few kilometers away construction workers were busy putting the finishing touches to the gleaming new main exhibition halls. Construction is on schedule for building handover in January 2007.

This edition of IDEX has attracted more than 900 exhibitors from more than 50 countries. At last count more than 20 nations will maintain national pavilions at the exhibition. The number of official delegations expected to visit the show number more than 90.

Major General Al Ketbi noted the increase in world defence spending to more than $ 1.1 trillion in 2005. He pointed to the important role of IDEX in showcasing the full range of modern and complex defensive weapons systems and technologies available on the international market. He suggested that in today's global economy, it only makes sense for nations to work together on armaments acquisition and systems integration to ensure compatibility.

Mohamad Nabhani, IDEX 2007 Show Director, said exhibitor response has been overwhelming for this edition of IDEX, with requests for both indoor and outdoor exhibit space running at levels 30 per cent above previous show records. He noted that the Turkish national pavilion will comprise the largest national representation at the show. He also mentioned that the US, China and Italy have also increased the size of their exhibition requirements substantially.

Nabhani said that the familiar attributes of the show that have contributed to its success since 1993 are back. 'We are very excited about the new location for the naval vessel berthing at the Free Port near Port Zayed,' Nabhani enthused. 'This new location has plenty of space for shore demonstrations and we hope the public will have a better view of the visiting naval ships.'

In addition, the vehicle mobility demonstrations and marine demonstrations in the artificial channel across from the exhibition will comprise daily focal points for the exhibition.

The Gulf Defence Conference will be held on February 17th, one day before the official opening of IDEX 2007. Janes' Information Group, one of the world's most credible publishing authorities in the areas of military preparedness and strategies is organizing the conference. This year's conference theme will examine security and defence issues for GCC nations.