{mosimafe}Abu Dhabi has become a major player in the global conference industry, which is worth US$56 billion (Dh205.66bn) a year, thanks to the investment of a few thousand dirhams.  Rupert Murdoch and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair are two high profile men that have become part of the exhibition scene in the UAE capital, along with thousands of other delegates from industries ranging from fashion to high finance.  Chief Executive of the consultancy Fast Future, Rohit Talwar, said “In the newer fast-growth and emerging economies the conventions market is increasingly seen as a critical tool in attracting business tourism and facilitating domestic growth.”

Abu Dhabi’s marque investment in the convention industry is the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) which recently launched the biggest indoor auditorium capable of handling 5,700 people.  Mr. Talwar says that high quality facilities of convention centers are the most important part of the growth opportunity, and ADNEC is seen as global leaders in the industry.