UK-based Melville Exhibition and Event Services said it plans to extend its footprint at  Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre (Adnec) and offer a full portfolio of expo and event services to the region through its subsidiary Melville Middle East.

Currently, Melville Middle East is the exclusive provider of venue services at Adnec such as rigging and specialist lighting features in addition to its exclusive services like electrical mains, piped services, primary rigging and floor mark out.

A GES Worldwide Network company, Melville, will now extend its footprint at Adnec, offering a full portfolio of exhibition and event services to the Middle East, said a company official.

The full services business will extend Melville’s business into shell scheme, stand wiring, furniture, carpet, graphics, logistics, custom design and build, and data and registration.

“We plan to expand our services in the Middle East market by creating a full service offering that leverages the innovations that we’ve developed across the GES Worldwide Network,” said Melville chief executive officer Nick Marshall.

“Starting afresh in a market allows you to initiate the business in the optimal way and we intend to do that from our operating base in Abu Dhabi,” Marshall remarked.

“Our intention is to operate all our core contracting services such as shell scheme and electrics from a Melville Middle East-run warehouse operation that will enable us to provide higher-quality products and service levels,” he explained.
 
“Melville and the GES Worldwide Network have been great venue services partners,” said Adnec chief executive Simon Horgan.

“Melville and GES are recognised as world-class exhibition contractors and this expansion of their services further establishes Abu Dhabi for growth in international shows,” he added.

GES President and CEO Kevin Rabbitt said Abu Dhabi continued to be an important growth market and the company was pleased with the progress of its operations there.

“Adnec is a high quality exhibition centre, and we are eager to launch a contracting service that is appropriate to that environment,” he noted.
 
“From our initial discussions with show organisers operating in the region, it is clear there is a demand for greater innovation, customer focus, and responsiveness from contractors operating in the Middle East,” said GES senior vice president International, Jason Popp.

“Melville has succeeded in the UK being a customer-focused exhibition and event contractor, and we plan to extend that philosophy to the Middle East,” he noted.

“This includes bringing our award-winning design expertise to the Middle East. Melville’s design capabilities have allowed show organisers in the United Kingdom to differentiate the overall look and feel of their show,” Popp added.-TradeArabia News Service