Adnec wins major honour at 16th World Travel Awards

Over 170,000 travel industry professionals cast their votes for this year's World Travel Awards, the highest number in the event's 16 year history.

Adnec beat off tough competition from other Gulf based exhibition centres to win the coveted award, which becomes the seventh major accolade for Adnec in recent weeks.

Simon Horgan, Adnec Group CEO said, "Awards such as this help draw international attention to the remarkable developments and great opportunities which exist within the UAE and in Abu Dhabi specifically. Successful exhibition centres are powerful economic engines which stimulate not only trade, which is important for all countries, but also diversification."

"Once again Adnec has been honoured by our peers. This award is particularly gratifying as it is voted for by so many industry professionals around the world. Four years ago many people questioned whether we would be able to overtake more well-established exhibition centres within a decade - we've achieved this within a few years, the seven recent awards for Adnec recognise this fact. This is a credit to the leadership of Abu Dhabi, the guidance of our Chairman and Board of Directors and the hard work and dedication of the Adnec team," he added.

Adnec completed Phase 2 of its exhibition facilities in November 2008 to become the Gulf's largest exhibition centre. The venue stages more than 100 events a year, from large scale exhibitions and conferences, to huge family festivals; from small private meetings to wedding celebrations. It is estimated that Adnec events provide the UAE capital with a Dhs1.1bn economic impact opportunity every year.

Adnec's 2009 Roll of Honour

• Best International Venue (Adnec) International CONFEX awards
• Best Commercial & Retail Development of the Year (Capital Gate) Cityscape Awards
• Best Venue (Adnec) Middle East Event Awards
• Best Trade Exhibition (IDEX 2009) Middle East Event Awards
• Best Theme (Summer in Abu Dhabi) Middle East Event Awards
• Outstanding Contribution to the Industry (Simon Horgan) Middle East Event Awards
• Middle East's Leading Exhibition Centre (Adnec) World Travel Awards.