The 12th edition of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX), the world’s leading joint defence exhibition, featured new, modern services to accommodate the vast numbers of local, regional and international media representatives. More than 850 media are expected to have visited this year’s show at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC). This year’s IDEX also featured the third Naval Defence & Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX) as well as unveiling the first edition of the Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX).
Members of the IDEX Official Organizing Committee worked closely with ADNEC representatives to advance the facilities on offer and, for the first time, built a dedicated media centre balcony in the heart of the exhibition, overlooking Hall 12. The location offers round the clock support for print, radio and TV outlet media attendees. The media centre will also provide computers for photographers and videographers, to facilitate their editing tasks.
The centre is equipped with working areas for up to 80 computers, 20 laptops, 100 general use workstations, and with the offices included, provides a total of 150 workstations in total. Each laptop is wirelessly linked to local printers and fax machines. Elsewhere, strong, Wi-Fi network is prevalent throughout the media centre providing users with the opportunity to stay abreast of breaking news announcements and show developments, live from the show floor. The media attendees have also been able to enjoy a repeat performance of the official opening ceremony on high-resolution display screens.
The overall size of the designated media centre balcony is approximately 800sqm, with the raised platform concealing high-speed internet and power cables laid to meet each required location. Each desk is equipped with its own individual wired internet point, and double power socket. In total, approximately, approximately 8km of internet and 1 km of power cables have been laid under the floor.
The centre has two press conference halls, the primary one fitting around 80 journalists, seated and standing, with the second able to hold around 40 media. Both feature simultaneous interpreters, for when a briefing is underway.
In previous edition’s, the media attendees were located in a tent outside in the ADNEC courtyard, but the decision was made to utilise this space for the official UMEX tent, featuring a variety of unmanned vehicles.
ADNEC hired an external team of 16 carpenters, 10 labourers, six electricians, 10 graphics installers, 10 IT specialists, and 6 Audio Visual technicians under the control of one project manager to complete the project in a 10 day period. All of the additional media facilities have been built and implemented up to the highest of standards. Feedback from the media has been overwhelmingly positive.
On behalf of the IDEX Official Organizing Committee, ADNEC would like to thank all of the media attendees at this year’s show and looks forward to welcoming even more attendees at the next edition of IDEX, taking place 19-23 February 2017.
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