Gastech set to return to Abu Dhabi

'We are delighted that ADNOC & Group of Companies has invited us to return to Abu Dhabi,' explains Event Director, Tony Stephenson of dmg world media (uk) ltd.

'It is the ideal venue for Gastech 2009. The UAE has the second largest Arab economy in the Middle East and the highest GDP growth in the GCC region. Abu Dhabi's modern infrastructure and facilities are driving vibrant economic investment in the region, with Abu Dhabi providing a stable environment for companies seeking business opportunities in the Middle East within an efficient operating system.

'The response to our return to Abu Dhabi was met with great enthusiasm during Gastech 2008 held in Thailand. Indeed, 8,300 m2 has already been booked by exhibitors, which means that well over half of the available exhibition space has already been sold. Indeed due to this unprecedented re-bookings we moved the dates to 25-28 May 2009, from the slightly earlier dates announced at Gastech 2008, in order to obtain a greater amount of hall space and more meeting rooms.'

Gastech 2008, the 23rd International Conference & Exhibition for the LNG, LPG and Natural Gas Industries, hosted by the PTT Group and held 10-13 March in Bangkok, Thailand, proved to be a truly record breaking event; attendance more than doubled with over 11,500 industry professionals attending the four-day event from more than 50 countries and with 300+ exhibiting companies occupying 13,026m2, making the exhibition nearly twice the size of the previous event. The highlights can be seen on GasTV at www.gastv.tv

'The success of the UAE economy is inextricably linked to the hydrocarbon sector, with natural gas reserves being the fifth largest in the world,' adds Tony Stephenson. 'Having attracted more than US$5 billion investment in new gas infrastructure and services, the gas business in Abu Dhabi is expected to double in the next few years. We would be hard pressed to find anywhere more suitable for the next show in the series, and are greatly looking forward to renewing our successful relationship with ADNOC & Group of Companies.

'We have taken a realistic view of the industry calendar for 2009 and picked a time when the event will not conflict with any others attended by the industry. We believe that taking this sensible view of 2009 events will be appreciated by the industry, and look forward to a highly successful event.'

Gastech 2009 will be staged in what Tony Stephenson describes as 'one of the best venues in the world, if not the best'. Opened since Gastech 2006, the new Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) he explains it 'is a truly remarkable venue'.

He explains: 'Gastech's continued expansion demands a venue that can create a truly vibrant experience for an international audience and a city with the modern infrastructure to comfortably host participants. Opened in February 2007, ADNEC's state-of-the-art facilities offer us plenty of interconnecting exhibition space, purpose-built conference areas, meeting rooms, food courts and car parking for 7,500 vehicles.

'ADNEC is located at the heart of the US$2.17 billion Capital Centre development; a new economic engine behind Abu Dhabi's grown that will surround ADNEC with a micro-city of 23 skyscrapers, shopping malls, hotels, cafes, restaurants, retail outlets and a stunning marina.'