Post by : Badri Ariffin

In a landmark achievement, ADNEC Group, part of Modon, recorded its highest economic contribution to the UAE, amounting to over AED9.2 billion in 2025. This impressive figure translates to an 8% growth compared to the previous year, underscoring the group's expansion within events, hospitality, media, tourism, and related sectors.

The activities generated over 2.17 million hotel room nights, bolstering the UAE's long-term strategy for a diverse and sustainable economy.

CEO Reflects on a Record-Breaking Year for ADNEC Group

Humaid Al Dhaheri, CEO of ADNEC Group, highlighted: "2025 saw unparalleled growth across all business sectors, marking the group's best year yet. This success illustrates our strategy to enhance contributions to the national economy, transfer advanced knowledge, forge partnerships, and elevate the competitiveness of local industries, aligning with the vision of our leadership for Abu Dhabi to become a hub for these critical sectors.

A New High in International Recognition

In 2025, ADNEC Group secured 19 international awards, including the esteemed C&IT Best Venue (outside the UK). The group's tally of accolades across all sectors now stands at an impressive 202.

ADNEC Hosts a Record Number of Events

ADNEC Venues, comprising the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, ADNEC Centre Al Ain, Excel London, and the Business Design Centre, saw their best performance to date in 2025, hosting over 1,149 events—15% more than in 2024. The venues welcomed 6.3 million visitors, a significant 17% increase year-on-year, marking a record attendance.

These venues also contributed to more than 70,000 job opportunities through their business operations.

Abu Dhabi Venue Hosts Major Conferences

ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi accounted for 77% of all conferences and 19% of new exhibitions in the UAE and Middle East during 2025. The venue attracted global interest, particularly from organizers in North America, Europe, and Asia.

It also hosted the largest ADIPEC edition, breaking records with a single-day attendance of 70,000, along with the inaugural IUCN World Conservation Congress for the region, attracting 10,000 global participants.

Excel London Celebrates Key Expansion

Marking its 25th anniversary, Excel London unveiled its 25,000-square-metre ICC expansion, raising its total conference and exhibition space to 125,000 square metres.

This expansion opened during the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season finale and also hosted the largest World Travel Market London, drawing over 46,000 professionals.

Landmark Exhibitions by Capital Events

Capital Events, ADNEC Group's management division, organized the largest International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and NAVDEX versions in 2025, attracting over 206,073 visitors—a 55% surge from the prior edition.

The division also launched the fourth Make it in the Emirates at ADNEC Abu Dhabi, expanding it by 300% in size and multiplying exhibitors by 16 times compared to 2024.

Additionally, it introduced the first Al Ain International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, welcoming a record 116,617 visitors.

Global Reach of Capital 360

The services arm, Capital 360 Event Experiences, enjoyed its most successful year, managing 4,621 projects in 2025, enhancing its global presence across countries like Egypt, the USA, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand.

The division initiated the Challenge Sir Bani Yas triathlon, the first long-distance triathlon in the MENA region, which attracted over 3,500 athletes from 47 countries, promoting Sir Bani Yas Island.

Capital Catering's Noteworthy Growth

ADNEC Group's catering division, Capital Catering, served 51.6 million meals in 2025, reflecting a 29% increase from 2024. Its services spanned key industries like healthcare, aviation, defense, and energy, catering to 29 hospitals and 21 airlines.

Prominent clients included ADONC and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company.

Tourism365 Promotes Abu Dhabi

In 2025, Tourism365 further nurtured inbound tourism, managing travel arrangements for over 330,000 travelers and increasing its client base by 15%. They also facilitated a record 144,000 stopover passengers.

twofour54 Enhances Film Production

In 2025, twofour54 supported over 40 diverse productions, further solidifying Abu Dhabi's reputation as a filming destination by attracting major projects like Dune 3 and Brad Pitt's F1.

Sustainability as a Priority

ADNEC Group also made strides towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2045, gaining national accolades like the Majra Impact Seal Gold Tier for large companies and the Year of Sustainability Seal.

Additionally, ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi became the first large events venue in MENA to operate solely on clean energy, in partnership with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company.

Looking Forward

ADNEC Group remains dedicated to fostering economic diversification and sustainable development in Abu Dhabi, aiming to elevate its global leadership in business tourism, events, and hospitality while creating lasting value for the UAE and its citizens.

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