The 15th edition of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX), the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX) and the International Defence Conference (IDC) 2021, were concluded by the Higher Organising Committee for the events. IDEX, NAVDEX and IDC took place over the course of six days and saw extensive local and international participation.
The central success of the 15th edition lies in that it was the first global defence event to take place in the post pandemic recovery stage, with 62,445 attendees at the venue across five days. 900 exhibitors, 59 countries, and 35 international pavilions participated in IDEX and NAVDEX 2021, alongside five countries participating in the exhibitions for the first time: Israel, North Macedonia, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Azerbaijan.
The events were meticulously planned in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the General Command of the UAE Armed Forces and serviced by event services and catering subsidiaries ADNEC Services and Capital Hospitality.
ADNEC and Capital Events were deeply committed to the 2021 editions of IDEX, NAVDEX being in-person events and feedback from partners and exhibitors showed that they were enthusiastic about coming together again and meeting in-person.
IDEX, NAVDEX and IDC took place safely and successfully, attracting 726 media representatives from 64 countries generating extensive global media coverage. The hybrid International Defence Conference held on 20th February featured 24 expert speakers, with only 3 of these participating virtually and drew over 2,400 delegates from 80 nations - with an in-person attendance of 500 delegates.
The UAE armed forces signed USD 5.7 billion worth of deals with local and international companies at IDEX and NAVDEX 2021. Furthermore, the event rated highly in visitor and exhibitor feedback.
In addition, IDEX and NAVDEX 2021 were described as one of the most successful global events organised in the post pandemic phase by participants, exhibitors, and visitors alike.
During the first four days of the exhibitions, 98% of participants and visitors shared that they were satisfied with the preventative and precautionary measures implemented, while 99% of participants stated they felt safe inside ADNEC. Doubtlessly, these figures demonstrate the accomplishment of this year of IDEX and NAVDEX. Lessons learnt here will support the wider resurgence of the business tourism sector, both at a local and international level.”
2021 in Numbers:
- 900 Exhibitors
- 59 Participating Countries
- 155,000 m2 IDEX Exhibition Space
- 62,455 Visitors
- 120+ International Delegations
- 84% International Companies
- 16% Local Companies
- 35 National Pavilions
- 20.957 AED Billion (US$5.7 Billion) of Signed Business Deals
The International Defence Conference (IDC)
Government, Industries and academia should work close together to bring about solutions to the challenges facing mankind. The conference is designed to bring thought leaders, policy makers, influencers, researchers and futurists under one roof live in Abu Dhabi to debate and share ideas related to technological advancement and disruptive technologies.
This conference marks the second time that two of the region’s signature and most well-attended events - the Abu Dhabi International Offset Conference (ADIOC) and the IDEX Conference - will be combined into a single “must attend” event for Defence, security, academic communities and companies operating in the region and internationally in Abu Dhabi live and in-person.
