In short
IDEX is a major defence exhibition in the Gulf, held at ADNEC alongside the naval show NAVDEX. Stands must serve government delegations, with formal hosting, private meetings and careful control over what is displayed. Plan protocol and export compliance with the same care as the design. Start a custom stand about 9–15 months ahead and confirm dates, height limits and rules in the exhibitor manual.
Key points
- Where and when: Abu Dhabi, every two years in Abu Dhabi, in odd years.
- The audience is mostly government delegations.
- Formal hosting.
- Private rooms.
- Plan a custom stand about 9–15 months before the show.
IDEX for exhibitors
National pavilions and senior delegations set the tone. Visits are formal and can come at short notice, so staff need briefing.
| IDEX | |
|---|---|
| City | Abu Dhabi |
| Venue | ADNEC |
| Sector | Defence |
| Cycle | Every two years in Abu Dhabi, in odd years |
| Main stand activity | Pre-booked meetings |
| Custom stand lead time | 9–15 months |
Who you are designing for
Government delegations, armed forces, procurement officials and defence companies.
What matters most on an IDEX stand:
- Formal hosting.
- Private rooms.
- Approved exhibits.
- Bilingual materials.
Layouts for pre-booked meetings, by stand type
Most IDEX exhibitors build around pre-booked meetings. How that works depends on how many sides of your plot are open. If you are unsure which type you have, see exhibition stand types.
| Stand type | Open sides | What works |
|---|---|---|
| Row (inline) | 1 | A welcome counter at the front and two bar tables; book longer meetings in the venue's meeting rooms. |
| Island | 4 | Meeting rooms in a central core or on an upper deck, with reception and a short demo on the busiest aisle. |
Stand ideas for IDEX
- A majlis reception area.
- A closed briefing room.
- A concierge desk for delegations.
Planning, approvals and logistics
Export licences and security rules apply. See the ADNEC rules guide, and work with the organiser.
Allow about 9–15 months for a custom stand. The exhibitor manual sets height limits, open-side rules and service deadlines; see venue approval and technical drawings.
Where the budget goes at IDEX
Delegation hosting and private rooms lead the budget. Compliance work adds time rather than cost, so start early.
Mistakes we see at IDEX
- No formal space for delegations.
- Exhibits cleared too late.
An example IDEX brief
A 12 × 8 m stand with an export-approved model, a closed delegation room, a majlis-style reception and bilingual graphics.
Replace the size and the zones with your own. The plot and height limit come from your contract and the exhibitor manual.
Try your IDEX layout in 3D
ExhibitionBase Studio turns your plot size, open sides and a brief about pre-booked meetings into an editable 3D stand for 5 credits, renders it and exports a plan for your builder. New workspaces get 5 free credits.
Frequently asked questions
01Where is IDEX held?
At ADNEC in Abu Dhabi. Published listings differ slightly on the 2027 dates, so check the organiser's site.
02What is NAVDEX?
The naval defence show held alongside IDEX.
03How early should I start designing an IDEX stand?
For a custom stand, about 9–15 months ahead: long enough for design, organiser approval, production and shipping. Shell scheme stands can be planned in weeks.
04Can I reuse my IDEX stand at other shows?
Often, if it is modular. Design the core (walls, counters, pre-booked meetings area) to work on several plot sizes, and swap graphics per show. See [modular vs custom stands](/guides/modular-vs-custom-exhibition-stands).
Put it into practice
From a client brief to a 3D stand concept in minutes
An editable 3D exhibition stand concept from a written brief and the brand's website, at your exact size.
Guidance here reflects common practice. Venues, organisers and countries set their own rules: always check the exhibitor manual and work with a qualified stand builder and engineer for structures.
