Biographies
The Management Team
Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, the management team of ADNEC unites the very best of Emirati vision and poise with the unrivalled experience of an international team of exhibition and conference industry executives.
Corporate Office
Chairman
In addition to his role as Chairman of ADNEC, His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan holds a number of official positions, including Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism Development and Investment Company and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage. He is also a Board Member of the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency and a Member of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi Emirate.
Managing Director
Before becoming ADNEC Managing Director in 2007, His Excellency Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri was an ADNEC Board Member where he was a consistently strong supporter of what is now known as the Gulf's largest exhibition centre (ADNEC). He has also recently been instrumental in the master planning of the Al Ain Convention Centre and has played a significant role in ADNEC's expansion strategy both nationally and internationally.
Chief Executive Officer, ADNEC
Mr Simon Horgan has worked in the exhibition, publishing and media industry for over 30 years. Simon worked as Director of the Dubai World Trade Centre for 8 years, before becoming an Executive Board Director of The NEC Group of venues in the UK. He became Chief Executive of ADNEC in 2005.
Chief Financial Officer, ADNEC
Mike joined ADNEC in early 2007 having previously been Chief Financial Officer of Olive Group and Nakheel, one of the region's largest property developers. Prior to joining Nakheel, Mike was a partner in Ernst & Young, where he worked for 13 years in the Middle East.
Chief Operating Officer, ADNEC
Mr Clive Lowe joined ADNEC in 2005 to direct the development of the new exhibition and conference venue. He was previously Director Operations for the Dubai World Trade Centre, Venue Director of the National Exhibition Centre in the UK and more recently Director Operations for Nakheel.
Director, Finance & Human Resources, ADNEC
Mr Humaid Al Dhaheri is from a Finance and Accountancy background. He has a Masters Degree in international accounting and finance management and he is Member of the Accountants and Auditors Association. He has worked in various Government and non- Governmental organisations in the field of Finance and Accountancy for the past 9 years, before joining ADNEC in the first Quarter of 2005.
Marketing Department
Marketing Director, ADNEC
Mr Paul Vincent's background is marketing and business management. He worked as Director of Media, Marketing and Commercial Services at The NEC Group for seven years before joining ADNEC and The Capital Centre in 2005.
Business Development Department
Business Development Director, ADNEC
Mr Sanjay Tanna's background is Finance and Business Development Management. He has worked in many industries in the UK in the last 15 years with primary focus in Corporate Finance & Accountancy, Construction & Development Finance and Conferences & Events Management Sanjay joined ADNEC in 2006.
Client Liaison Department
Client Liaison Director, ADNEC
Sue's team is your first point of contact for any exhibition, conference, concert, special event etc. Sue has over 20 years experience in sales and account management; the last 9 years were spent as Account Director for The National Exhibition Centre Group (NEC) in the United Kingdom. Sue is therefore well placed to head up ADNEC's Client Liaison Department which ensures a seamless communication flow between your organisation and ADNEC - from the initial discussion through to the delivery of your successful event.
External Services Department
External Services Director, ADNEC
Mr Mohamed Omair Almashgouni background is in Administration and Human Resource management. He worked as Head of Human Resource for Abu Dhabi Securities Market for 3 Years and as Assistant Manager in Public Work Department in Al Ain for 8 years, before joining ADNEC in 2004.
Venue Operations Department
Venue Operations Director, ADNEC
Mike's background is in advertising and finance. After leaving his native Canada in 1989, Mike headed Yellow Pages' operation in the Middle East for Bell Canada until late 1999. Mike has been involved in various contracted projects in different parts of the world, before entering the exhibition industry. Mike joined ADNEC in June 2006 to direct operations at the new state-of-exhibition centre.
The Seven Point Strategy
In planning this project the leaders of Abu Dhabi and the senior management of ADNEC have pledged seven points to the international exhibition and conference industry, these are:
- Build a modern and world class exhibition and conference venue which reflects the importance of Abu Dhabi as the capital city of the UAE.
- Develop a master-plan for the total site that is integrated and provides a total visitor, exhibitor and organiser experience.
- Create a business environment which will attract key international organisers which will set up regional bases on the new site.
- Create a new approach which dramatically encourages visitors to attend exhibitions in Abu Dhabi.
- Create and build a comprehensive venue management team to support the overall experience.
- Recognise the internationally accepted protocol which exists within the exhibition industry.
- Co-ordinate support services from within the infrastructure of Abu Dhabi.
These pledges are being achieved and the benefits are being felt throughout the Emirate and the international exhibition and conference industry.