Build-up begins for exhibition stands for IDEX and NAVDEX 2021 defense exhibitions.

Build-preparations have begun at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre for the internal and external exhibitions, as well as the live demonstration areas, for IDEX and NAVDEX 2021 land and naval defense exhibitions, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, between 21 and 25 February 2021.

IDEX / NAVDEX 2021 land and naval defense exhibitions will be held in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates from 21 to 25 February 2021. (Picture source ADNEC video footage)

The Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) organised a tour for local and international media representatives, sharing with them the latest preparations, protocols, and precautionary measures implemented by ADNEC, in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense and the General Command of the UAE Armed Forces.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), said: “The beginning of our build-up phase for the internal and external exhibition stands for IDEX and NAVDEX represents the culmination of the significant efforts exerted by ADNEC’s teams over the past few months. Our ability to host this exhibition demonstrates the confidence of the international community in ADNEC’s ability to organise this exceptional edition on schedule. Such confidence is indicated in the participation of the largest defence companies from across the world in this exhibition.”

Al Dhaheri added: “The high participation levels at IDEX and NAVDEX demonstrates the leading position which these exhibitions have found reached in their twenty-seventh year. It further indicates the wider international interest in these vital events, and how the UAE’s defence sector has reached an advanced global stage.”

“ADNEC, in cooperation with a wide range of national institutions, has prepared the facilities and infrastructure of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, following leading global standards. We have developed a range of health and safety protocols for the health of all participants at both exhibitions, following the processes implemented by local and global health authorities. Such measures have been put in place to meet the needs of all our participants, as well as ensuring this event befits the reputation and stature of the UAE at both the regional and the international level.”

Saeed Bin Khadim Al Mansoori, Executive Director at Capital Events, a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company, commented: “IDEX and NAVDEX 2021 will enjoy a high turnout from critical international defence companies: a fact of which we are very proud. The current edition will see five new nations participating for the first time in the two exhibitions.

“We have now completed the reservations of external and internal exhibition spaces for IDEX and NAVDEX. Both exhibitions will see a wide range of official delegations from a high number of countries, alongside decision-makers and specialists in these vital sectors.”

ADNEC briefed media representatives on the progress of the build-up process and preparations for the internal and external exhibition stands at the centre. Journalists were shown preparations for the outdoor live demonstrations area, which is located on the opposite side of the grandstand and will witness a number of daily displays of defence equipment by local and international companies. Paths and artificial obstacles will demonstrate these machines’ potential and their capability to deal with a range of challenges and terrains.

Additionally, media representatives were briefed on the build-up process in all the halls of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, and toured a number of international and local pavilions. One central pavilion they were show is the Emirati pavilion, consisting of national companies specialising in defence industries such as the Tawazun Economic Council (Tawazun) pavilion and the EDGE Group, which is the parent company of a number of specialised defence companies.

The media tour also included a visit to the special exhibition area of NAVDEX 2021, located at the ADNEC Marina, opposite to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, which includes a dedicated tent with internal exhibition areas for companies specialised in the naval defence industries, in addition to the dock area that will host a number of defence naval equipment from a number of countries, in conjunction with the exhibition area that will be allocated at Port Zayed in Abu Dhabi.

NAVDEX is an International Naval Defense Exhibition that will take place in parallel with IDEX. (Picture source ADNEC video footage)

ADNEC’s team provided a detailed briefing session on all the health and safety precautionary measures which will be implemented during IDEX and NAVDEX 2021, where Ahmed Al Obaidli, Chief Operations Officer at ADNEC delivered a presentation, stating: "ADNEC is paying close attention to the health and safety standards of exhibitors, participants and visitors, and considers them a top priority. In this context, ADNEC cooperates with all concerned authorities to ensure the safety of visitors of the upcoming IDEX and NAVDEX 2021 exhibitions during their stay in Abu Dhabi."

“ADNEC has developed strict protocols and preventive measures for preserving the health and safety of participants in the exhibitions, in full cooperation and coordination with the relevant health and regulatory authorities inside and outside the country.”

Media representatives were briefed on the precautionary and preventive measures that ADNEC applies, which are applicable to visitors, exhibitors, and official delegations participating at both exhibitions. Further, media were briefed on steps and measures taken following visitors’ arrival at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre until departure from the events.

These procedures outline that visitors to IDEX and NAVDEX will begin their journey before arriving at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, whether attending from within our outside the UAE. All visitors, exhibitors, and delegates must register to obtain their print-at-home badge, as no-one who has not registered online will be allowed entry. Everyone must print out their own badges and bring them to the venue.

Measures at the event location also include conducting a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 for both international and local participants, 48 hours ahead of their visit to the exhibitions. All participants must present a negative test result at the security gates to gain entry to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

In addition, PCR tests for COVID-19 will be conducted for all international participants at UAE airports upon arrival, after presenting their registration badge for IDEX and NAVDEX. 17 hotels surrounding the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre will host international visitors to the event, in cooperation with the relevant authorities in the emirate. These hotels have been equipped with PCR testing centres, in cooperation with the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, and a shuttle bus service has been provided to and from these hotels.

The list of ADNEC’s precautionary measures include surveying visitor and exhibitor numbers present at both exhibitions. All visitors must specify a certain time for their visit each day when they register on the website. The number of exhibitors present in each pavilion has also been determined, and they are distributed on different time frames during the events.

Gates have been designated for entry and exit at the venue, and are equipped with thermal cameras. ADNEC’s teams have been trained to deal with visitors following a range of health requirements. ADNEC has laid out one-way paths across the centre’s halls, with the strict application of social distancing from arrival to departure. Face masks are mandatory at all times during the visit, and ADNEC has placed electronic signage with health and safety instructions across all its facilities, as well as providing hand sanitisers for participants.

ADNEC presented the sanitisation processes followed in its centres to ensure the health and safety of all participants. Ongoing measures are being conducted through a wide range of devices and teams, with a number of smart robots undertaking cleaning operations across floors and halls automatically. All facilities will be sanitised and defogged daily, with high-intensity touch points, such as elevators, ATMs, and door handles, being routinely sanitised throughout each day.

ADNEC’s officials also presented precautionary measures for hospitality and food services during both exhibitions, supervised by Capital Hospitality, a subsidiary of ADNEC, in cooperation with the relevant regulatory authorities in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. These measures include full compliance with health and safety measures in the facilities and kitchens, as well as training supervising staff on these processes, and ensuring the implementation of food safety procedures during preparation, in order to strictly apply these standards during catering.

ADNEC further revealed a number of specialised clinics and medical facilities are equipped and ready with a team of medical professionals who can ensure the health and safety of participants. Those teams are in full and direct coordination with the health authorities in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and will work throughout the day during the period of the exhibitions.