Abu Dhabi launches fund to boost business tourism

Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) has partnered with ADNEC Group to set up a joint fund that will provide additional financial incentives and support to corporate events in the city.

The newly formed fund is a continuation of ADCEB’s strategy to harness public-private partnerships to boost business-to-business events as part of Abu Dhabi’s push to position the city as a global hub for business.

The partnership will combine the joint marketing efforts of ADCEB and ADNEC Group to raise awareness of the emirate’s readiness to host large meetings, conferences, exhibitions and events.

“With ADCEB’s experience and expertise and ADNEC Group’s impressive portfolio of event, tourism and hospitality assets, together we can create the ultimate destination package that showcases the best of the emirate and attracts ever greater numbers of large-scale and high-profile events to Abu Dhabi,” said Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, director general for tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau, part of @dctabudhabi, has partnered with @ADNECGroup to launch ADCEB and ADNEC Group Joint Fund, further developing business tourism in #AbuDhabi, and showcasing the emirate as a leading destination for MICE events. pic.twitter.com/GBL82pOtuW

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) April 3, 2023

ADNEC continues to strengthen the UAE’s position as an exceptional global destination for hosting events by leveraging the country’s modern facilities, advanced infrastructure and high-quality services.

The joint fund is an added tool for international and domestic agencies to promote Abu Dhabi and fills a gap in Advantage Abu Dhabi’s support for groups of over 500 delegates.

For events planned between May 1, 2023 and December 31, 2024, applicants can submit their inquiry/ request for proposal (RFP) to either ADCEB or ADNEC for eligibility of support towards their event(s) through the ADCEB-ADNEC joint fund.

Business tourism fund

Meanwhile, the new fund comes as ADNEC is preparing to host major international exhibitions, events and conferences that will bring visitors, exhibitors and speakers to Abu Dhabi from all over the world.

ADNEC said about 33 per cent of the events will take place in Abu Dhabi and the entire Middle East region for the first time, aligning with the group’s efforts to consolidate the city’s position as a capital for business tourism in the region.

The events include the World Future Energy Summit, Zayed Sustainability Awards ceremony, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit, Sustainable Innovation Forum, EcoWASTE 2023, Water Exhibition and Forum, Smart Cities Forum and the Environment and Climate Forum.

ADNEC unveiled a new corporate identity to raise the visibility of its six main business sectors: venues, events, hotels, food and beverage, services and tourism.

The new corporate identity reflects the group’s refreshed vision and mission, as it seeks to expand both in business terms and geographically.

A global hub for major events, the ADNEC centre has the infrastructure, flexible teams and facilities to ensure long-term and sustainable development, along with key services through several companies specialised in destination management, catering, hotels and among others.

Read: Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company unveils new corporate identity

ADNEC Group encompasses several specialised companies that synergistically operate in six main business sectors, mainly ADNEC Venues, ADNEC Events, ADNEC Hotels, ADNEC Services, ADNEC F&B, and ADNEC Tourism.

The group pledged to support the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative to reduce carbon, which will see the country spend more than Dhs600bn on renewable energy during this period. The progressive approach aligns with the country’s leading position in the region to take wide-ranging climate change action.

The company’s net zero pledge will take the form of strategic planning and action to ensure its operations achieve the target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, while also influencing the entire value chain to take sustainable and measurable actions.