This is the 11th Adipec  event, which has grown to be one of the major oil and gas conference and exhibitions in the world.

What are the specific figures to date, for this year’s event in terms of registered delegates, exhibitors, countries represented, and expected number of visitors?
First of all I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all onboard to the 11th Adipec.
I am pleased to inform you that all the available exhibition space has been sold out, way before the deadline. We are forced to arrange additional exhibition space compatible to the existing structure in order to accommodate the heavy demand from all over the world.
I can state that this year’s event will be at least 25per cent bigger than the 10th Adipec. We have national pavilions confirmed from Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, Turkey, UK and USA.
It gives me a lot of pride to inform you that pavilions from China, France, India, Poland, Russia, Spain and Turkey are making their debut at Adipec, to witness the latest technology, products and services the oil and gas industry has to offer at Adipec ’04. We are expecting a larger turnout than in 2002, when over 20,000 visitors attended.
The exhibition and conference run in parallel, and it is obvious they complement each other. Nevertheless, what is Adipec’s main focus or attraction for visitors and participants? Is it the opportunity to present and discuss the latest technologies in the oil and gas industries at the conference, or the opportunity to close business deals at the exhibition? Do you attempt to strike some sort of balance, so that one is not overshadowed by the other?
 Indeed, the exhibition and conference run in parallel complementing each other, one displaying technology and the other discussing and debating how the technology can be implemented, why, when, and the areas that require technological advancement. This could be applicable for the exploration, production, refining, logistics or human resources.
Does the 11th Adipec have anything new for visitors and participants, not present in earlier events? Such as any corollary shows and exhibits, other than the main conference and exhibition?
The organising committee has planned numerous introductions at the 11th Adipec. Primarily a much larger exhibition for the visitors to witness. Additional conference facilities are built to accommodate a larger number of parallel sessions for the conference. We will be organising field trips for the exhibitors and delegates, Adipec golf day, etc.
We will be suggesting to exhibitors to make the event better through additional stress-relieving attractions at this year’s trade show. All services to the exhibitors and visitors will be closely monitored to ensure their satisfaction.
More delegations from oil producing countries will be invited and are expected to be present. Spouse entertainment programmes are also planned, which offer enjoyment for the participants at Adipec 2004 alongside business.
Since Adipec began before the formation of GEC, how did GEC’s association with this event come to be?
The 2004 event will be the third time that GEC is organising Adipec. Prior to 2000 Adipec was organised by the division of ADCCI and Brussels International Trade Fair. As the figures speak, GEC has given a new dimension to Adipec and its organisation.
Apart from serving as organisers, what other specific functions does GEC undertake on behalf of Adipec? For example, do your professionals get directly involved in formulating standards, recommending policies, and raising industry practices for the oil and gas industry?
First of all, GEC is the landlord and organiser, besides being the regulators and licensing authority of exhibitions and conferences in Abu Dhabi.
We undertake lots of responsibility, which a normal organiser cannot afford to do so. We work very closely in association with the Ministry of Petroleum, inviting ministerial delegations from the oil producing countries in the region.
With regards to policy decisions, it is up to the Supreme Petroleum Council, the Ministry of Petroleum or Adnoc, who formulate standards and policies with regards to the oil and gas industry.
What are the main vehicles that GEC uses in promoting the event internationally? And which countries or regions do you promote them most?
The event is promoted worldwide. Exhibitor promotion was done at major oil and gas exhibitions such as Offshore Technology Conference - US; Offshore Europe - U.K.; Deep Offshore Technology - France; Syroil - Syria; and Iran Oil Show - Teheran. Major oil and gas publications from the US, Europe, Asia and Africa are used for publicising the 11th Adipec.
Adipec News provides exhibition and conference update, industry news and views from the region and is published and mailed to industry professionals all over the world.
GEC is also the organiser for other well-known international events such as IDEX, etc. How big is Adipec in comparison to these other events?
Adipec is the second largest show after IDEX. However, if the trend continues like the 10th and 11th editions, it is likely to take the top spot very soon.
Does Adipec have a mutual promotion or cooperation agreement with any other oil and gas events in the world?
We do not encourage such agreements with organisers from the region. However, we have agreements with the 18th World Petroleum Congress in South Africa and SYROIL in Syria, where Adipec was and will continue to be promoted.
Obviously, Adipec also contributes to the tourism and hospitality industries of Abu Dhabi because of the large number of visitors coming to the emirate for this event. Do you have any estimates as to how much other industries benefit from this event, and does GEC or Adipec have any tie-up with or receive direct support from these industries?
The hospitality and tourism industries in the UAE and Abu Dhabi will be direct beneficiaries besides others due to the exhibitions and conferences taking place in the country. We cannot quantify or estimate as to what an event brings in for the city. However, a survey to this effect is planned to assess and study this in detail. We have support and sponsorship arrangements with the National Airline - ETIHAD Airways, as the official carrier, as well as leading hotel companies and travel agencies for the accommodation, catering, travel, tourism and other exhibitor, visitor services.
To what extent does GEC enjoy the support of governmental bodies in the country and international organisations in hosting Adipec? Are you self-supporting or do your funds come from supporting ministries?
We have the full support of Adnoc and its group of companies, the Ministry of Petroleum, Ministry of Information and Culture, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of External Affairs and other Ministries. When you talk about international organisations, we have UKTP, AUMA, VDMA, ICE, UBI , Fluidex, US Comm Services, Canadian Trade, Alberta Govt etc...all endorsing and playing a crucial role in bringing in new technology and products to the market from their territories. I should not forget the support of professional institutions such as; SPE, SCA, EAGE and the SPWLA.
Are GEC’s facilities for hosting Adipec adequate for hosting the event in the same premises for the coming years? Or are you planning expansion?
We fell short of exhibition space at the current Adipec. We will exert more pressure on our board to enhance the facilities, so that the event is held all under one roof in future.
What are GEC’s long-term objectives - its vision - for Abu Dhabi in particular, and for the region in general?
We set our goal to become the premier event organiser in the region. We are and have enhanced our reputation with every event organised by GEC. It is an education, the learning process never ends and so is success. ‘Success breeds success’ and with every success we reach closer to our objective in making Abu Dhabi, the preferred exhibition and conference, and tourist destination in the region.