speech for richard hease chairman turret middle east
I am delighted to be standing before you today as the organizer of this year’s ADIHEX to announce the latest highlights set to take place at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2007.
First of all I would like to thank His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the UAE Falconers Club for his invaluable patronage; the Emirates Falconer’s Club for their kind support and the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage for their expertise and knowledge of all things traditional and cultural. It is indeed a pleasure to be involved in an exhibition that celebrates the great tradition of this amazing country.
For the first time, ADIHEX moves into the new exhibition halls which means more space for the exhibitors and visitors alike. With more than 60,000 spectators expected to attend from around the world, we are looking at an exhibition that will be even more successful than any of the previous ADIHEX. All parties involved have pooled their talent and ideas to ensure a bigger and better event that will exceed all expectations. This year, the exhibition will occupy an area of around 25,000 SQM, and will present more than 500 participants from 40 different countries including Germany, Italy, France, USA and the UK.
In order to ensure we offer a full range of activities and entertainment for everyone, this year’s show will offer contests such as hybrid competitions; the popular horse and camel auctions; a unique handicrafts competition and an Arabic coffee brewing contest. We will also feature the ‘best car equipped with all you need for your safari and hunting trip gear’, a “Nabati” poems contest relating to hunting and falconry, the best research made on Arab hunting and horses, as well as the annual and the well renowned Saluki beauty contest.
Our international experience allowed us to look at this event from an outsiders point of view and make suggestions so ADIHEX becomes, not only the most popular local entertainment exhibition in the country, but also an exhibition that appeals to both local and international visitors of all age groups from both genders. Our association with the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage ensured that the unique heritage and traditions of Abu Dhabi, and the United Arab Emirates, are well reflected throughout every facet of the show.
To make certain that contest participants and all visitors are appreciated for their support and contribution to the event, we have organized a free prize draw to win one of 100 falcons and a camel. All that has to be done is enter name and contact details onto a tear off slip which forms part of their entrance ticket. The draw will be made during the final day of the exhibition where winners will then be notified.
And for safari lovers, The African Son Safari’s, an exhibitor at the event, will be offering visitors to its stand the chance to enter a prize draw to win a place on a lioness hunt in South Africa. The all expenses paid trip includes air fares to Johannesburg, accommodation in a traditional hunting lodge, joining the hunt and use of weapons, food, beverages and much more.
On behalf of Turret Middle East, I would hope everyone in the UAE gets a chance to visit this event and I wish them all a pleasant time.
