Planning your trip to SIAL Middle East

Getting to Abu Dhabi

Situated half way between Tokyo and New York, Abu Dhabi’s geographical location ensures easy access from the world’s major trade centres. Business travellers can reach Abu Dhabi from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Shanghai, Cape Town or Moscow within eight hours.

he Abu Dhabi International Airport is well served by over 30 international airlines such as British Airways, Lufthansa, Gulf Air, Air France, Qatar Airways, Air India, Singapore Airlines, KLM and Cathay Pacific starting with direct flights to Hong Kong from June 2011. Etihad Airways, the national airline of Abu Dhabi now flies to more than 70 destinations across the globe.

On the ground, Abu Dhabi benefits from a highly efficient road system. Journey time from the international airport to the main business district averages just 20 minutes and 10-15min to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Visa Information

1. No entry visa is required for GCC citizens

2. Citizens of the following 33 countries will be issued with a free-of-charge VISIT VISA on entry to the UAE: UK, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Finland, Malta, Spain, Monaco, Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong

3. Citizens of other countries should apply to their nearest UAE embassy or contact our official travel agent, Net Tours for assistance with visa applications.

Visa rules are subject to change so please check with your nearest UAE Embassy before you travel.

For more information visit: http://www.abudhabiairport.ae/travelinfo/index.asp

About Abu Dhabi

Steeped in the ancient culture and heritage of Arabia, Abu Dhabi combines year-round sunshine, and the contemporary chic of downtown Abu Dhabi with the spice, mystique and old world charm of Arabian adventure. With hospitality remaining one of the most treasured values of Arab culture, Abu Dhabi cannot fail to impress.

Whether you opt to stay for the weekend after the SIAL Middle East, or would like to do some exploring after a day of business, we urge you to get out and discover the real Abu Dhabi.

Explore the emirate’s old souqs, sip a fragrant Arabic coffee, ride the dunes on a desert safari, or dive into a dazzling marine life - there is something for everyone!
     
7 things you should know about Abu Dhabi

1. In less than 50 years, Abu Dhabi has been transformed from little more than empty desert inhabited ‎by nomadic tribes into a thriving 21st century metropolis.‎

2. Abu Dhabi city is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The wider Abu Dhabi emirate occupies ‎over 80% of the country’s total landmass.‎

3. Unknown to most, Abu Dhabi is archipelagic with nearly 200 islands dotted along its coast.‎

4. Abu Dhabi is on its way to becoming a global cultural centre with the creation of the Cultural District ‎on Saadiyat Island. This 27 square kilometre island will transform the UAE capital into a signature cultural, leisure and residential destination. The island will be home to the Zayed National Museum, the ‎Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a performing arts centre and maritime museum.

5. Emirates Palace is one of the world’s most majestic and opulent hotels. Often mistaken as the ‎presidential palace, Emirates Palace is decorated with gold-leaf, marble and hung with almost 1,000 ‎Swarovski crystal chandeliers.

6. Abu Dhabi offers fantastic social activities. Choose from fascinating city tours, desert safaris, visit the ‎Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque – the UAE’s most imposing religious and national landmark ‎or participate in a range of water sports in Abu Dhabi’s warm, calm waters.‎

7. Abu Dhabi is home to the formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi grand Prix. This international ‎headline race joins an impressive line-up of world-class events which have enabled the emirate to emerge ‎as a major global events contender. these include the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge endurance race, ‎the annual Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, the Abu Dhabi ‎Desert Challenge rally, the Abu Dhabi Red Bull air Race and the Al Ain Aerobatics Championship.‎
 
Useful links:
•    Abu Dhabi Tourism Autority: http://www.visitabudhabi.ae  
•    Abu Dhabi Government Portal: http://www.abudhabi.ae/en  
•    Abu Dhabi Week: http://www.abudhabiweek.ae  
•    Time Out Abu Dhabi: http://www.timeoutabudhabi.com 

Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre

Since opening in 2007, the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) has been dubbed the world’s most modern exhibition centre. With 55,000sqm of interconnecting floor space, state-of-the-art conference theatres, 30 meeting rooms, 2,000sqm of food courts and plenty of car parking,  the venue welcomes more than 1.5 million visitors every year as one of the region's largest purpose built exhibition facility.

 
In 2011, ADNEC won awards for the Middle East’s Leading Exhibition Centre, International Venue of the Year, and Best International Venue.

The ultra modern infrastructure of ADNEC complements the capital’s status as the economic and political hub of the UAE, providing the perfect platform to support SIAL Middle East's growth for the future.

> Click here to download location map and driving directions
> Download a venue plan

For further information visit www.adnec.ae