ADNEC scoops second consecutive ‘Green Prize’ at Middle East Event Awards

For the second year running, the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) has secured a prestigious pan-regional honour for its ‘green leadership’ in the events industry. 

ADNEC was presented with the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability’ (Venue) prize, by the Middle East Event Awards jury at a ceremony held in Dubai. 

“We are delighted with this award which is doubly significant as it follows on from our success last year, said Khaled Ali Al Hashemi, ADNEC’s Chief Operating Officer.  

“Winning twice-in-a-row points to our unrelenting commitment to industry leadership and is a testament to our continued emphasis on sustainability in support of the Abu Dhabi’s government’s focus on the environment,” added Al Hashemi. 

ADNEC’s success at the Middle East Event Awards ceremony follows other recent wins including ‘Best International Venue’ (Exhibition News Awards 2011) and ‘Middle East’s Leading Exhibition Centre’ (World Travel Awards 2011). 

ADNEC has also been nominated for ‘Best International Venue,’ at the upcoming AEO Excellence Awards to be presented on July 1^st at ExCeL London as well as for ‘Sustainable Initiative of the Year,’ on the same evening. 

ADNEC’s environmental leadership is built on a successful recycling programme which currently covers paper, cardboard cartons, plastic, cans, and scrap metal. In 2010, ADNEC, in collaboration with waste management solutions provider – Dulsco, recycled 123.7 tons of cardboard cartons, 92.8 tons of paper, 10 tons of plastic and 700 kg of cans. The total amount recycled (227 tons) last year was a growth of 146 per cent over the 92 tons recycled in 2009. 

ADNEC’s environmental agenda is driven forward by an Environmental Task Force (ETF) comprising more than 20 members from various departments within the company. Earlier this year, ADNEC started using RFID technology for better waste management.  Under this initiative trucks, waste bins and waste compactors have been embedded with RFID tags that provide precise information on the movement and management of waste generated at ADNEC. This data is accessible online by ADNEC and Dulsco, facilitating better control, supervision and coordination of waste management activities. 

The ADNEC-owned Aloft Abu Dhabi hotel - interconnected with the exhibition centre, has 560 solar panels installed to cater to more than 90 per cent of its hot water requirements. This saves 870 mw/h of electricity annually. The hotel was recently awarded ‘Best New Hotel’ at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2011 awards.