Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company has launched the new ICC (International Convention Centre) in line with its plan to boost the UAE capital’s positioning as a hub for large-scale gobal conventions and events.

The ICC move comes ahead of this week’s World Ophthalmology Congress 2012 to be held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec).

"Adnec has an important role to play in achieving the vision for the emirate outlined in Abu Dhabi’s Plan 2030," said Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, the managing director, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company.

"Building on our success to date, we continue to seek out new opportunities and raise Abu Dhabi’s international profile as a destination for major events; the creation of ICC Abu Dhabi is another step in this direction," Al Dhaheri added.

The event, which runs from February 16 to 20, is the largest congress to be staged in the UAE capital and is expected to attract 12,000 delegates, said Adnec’s chief sales & marketing officer, Humaid Al Dhaheri.
 
ICC Abu Dhabi has a fully flexible, tiered auditorium seating up to 6,000 people with the 7,920 sq m space being able to host a range of meetings and events.

Two other large conference rooms, 19 smaller break-out rooms, additional exhibition space of 65,080 sq m and catering facilities, complement the amenities at Abu Dhabi ICC.

More than 2,400 hotel rooms are currently available on-site or within 5 minutes driving distance of the venue, with an additional 700 more rooms expected to be added to on-site hotel stock by end of this year, said the official.
 
A number of major events such as the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) and the first Irena (International Renewable Energy Agency) General Assembly have been staged at ICC Abu Dhabi.

“Hosting successful events of this scale showcases our capabilities and the flexibility of our venue. With a dedicated ICC and all the supporting facilities we have in place, Abu Dhabi is in a great position to attract many more large conventions in the coming months and years,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service