UAE-based organiser and venue group ADNEC has reported 2025 as its most successful year yet, with new milestones across all six of its business clusters.
In 2025 ADNEC Group generated AED9.2bn in economic impact, an 8% increase from AED8.5bn in 2024. The group also generated 2.17 million hotel room nights, reflecting its growing role in driving economic growth.
His Excellency Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, chairman of ADNEC Group’s holding company, Modon Holding, said: ADNEC’s achievements were testament to Abu Dhabi’s ongoing success in building a diversified and sustainable economy. “The Emirate has cemented its position as a leading destination for business, tourism, and high-profile global events,” he said.
Humaid Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of ADNEC Group, added: “2025 witnessed record growth rates across all performance indicators, marking the largest in the group’s history. This reflects the success of our strategy to enhance direct and indirect contributions to the national economy, transfer and localise advanced knowledge, establish partnerships, and boost the competitiveness of national industries across various economic sectors.”
ADNEC Group earned 19 international awards in 2025, including four Gulf Sustainability Awards in the categories of Energy, Waste, Circularity, and Leadership, as well as recognition from ICCA as the Model Venue for Sustainable Business Events for hosting the 63rd ICCA Congress, which achieved zero food waste to landfill.
ADNEC Venues, including ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, ADNEC Centre Al Ain, Excel London and the Business Design Centre all contributed to the record-breaking year in 2025, hosting over 1,149 events, a 15% increase compared to 2024, and welcoming 6.3 million visitors, a 17% increase compared to 2024. It marked the highest attendance in the group’s history. Additionally, they supported over 70,000 jobs through their business activities.
ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi hosted 77% of the total conferences and 19% of the total exhibitions held for the first time in the UAE and the Middle East. In 2025, the venue also held the largest-ever edition of ADIPEC, which shattered previous attendance records by drawing 70,000 visitors in a single day.
Additionally, ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi held the IUCN World Conservation Congress, which took place for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and welcomed 10,000 attendees.
Excel London marked its 25th anniversary in 2025, completing its 25,000sqm ICC expansion, becoming the largest fully integrated conference and exhibition venue in Europe. The venue hosted the largest edition of the World Travel Market London, which saw over 46,000 industry professionals from around the world.
Capital Events, the event management arm of ADNEC Group’s milestones in 2025 included organising the largest editions of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX), which attracted 206,073 visitors, a 55% increase compared to the previous edition.
The fourth edition of Make it in the Emirates was organised for the first time at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, which allowed the event to grow 300% in size compared to the 2024 edition. Capital Events also launched the first edition of the Al Ain International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition at ADNEC Centre Al Ain, attracting a venue record 116,617 visitors.
In January 2025, ADNEC Group signe an agreement (PPA) to develop a large-scale rooftop solar photovoltaic system at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. Once operational, the system will meet approximately 30% of the venue’s energy demand.
The venue has also deployed several innovative technologies to further reduce its carbon footprint, including an AI-powered Building Management System designed to optimise energy consumption across its operations.
