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IDEX 2027 Stand Builder Guide: Planning a Defence Exhibition Stand at ADNEC
IDEX is one of the world’s most important defence exhibitions, held alongside NAVDEX at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. The 2027 edition is scheduled for 21–25 January 2027. With government delegations, armed forces and global defence manufacturers on the floor, IDEX stands are among the largest and most complex in the region.
If you are looking for an IDEX stand builder, now is the time to plan. This guide explains what defence stands need, how to work around the holiday season and what to ask your contractor.
What makes an IDEX stand different
Defence exhibitors face requirements that most trade shows do not:
- Heavy and oversized exhibits – vehicles, systems and large models need floor-loading checks, rigging plans and careful access planning
- VIP and delegation visits – stands must handle official tours, protocol and security
- Confidential meeting rooms – private, well-finished rooms for high-level discussions
- National and corporate pavilions – multi-company pavilions with shared hospitality and individual branding
- Premium finishes – the audience expects quality that reflects the scale of the business
Timeline: why January shows need early planning
A January show date means your build schedule runs straight through the December holiday period, when many suppliers slow down. We recommend starting at least 12 weeks before IDEX, which means briefing your stand builder in October or early November. A practical plan:
- Brief, floor plan and concept directions
- 3D design and quotation sign-off
- Structural drawings and organiser submissions
- Fabrication and pre-assembly before the holiday period
- Transport from the workshop to ADNEC
- Build-up, inspection and handover
- Show support, dismantling and storage
Building at ADNEC from Dubai
Many of the strongest stands at ADNEC are fabricated in Dubai and transported to Abu Dhabi. G-Bit Designs builds and pre-assembles stands in its own 5,000 sq. m workshop in Jebel Ali, roughly an hour and a half by road from ADNEC, so finishes, lighting and AV are tested before anything reaches the venue.
What does an IDEX stand cost?
Defence stands are usually large, multi-zone and heavily finished, so they sit at the upper end of the market. As a rough guide, custom stands in the UAE are often priced around AED 4,000 per square metre, with double-deck structures, oversized exhibit handling and premium meeting rooms adding to that. Ask for a line-by-line quotation that separates structure, finishes, AV, furniture, transport, installation and storage, with 5% VAT shown separately.
Questions to ask an IDEX stand builder
- Have you built large pavilions at ADNEC?
- How will you handle heavy exhibits, floor loading and rigging?
- Can you deliver confidential meeting rooms and VIP areas to a premium standard?
- How will the December holiday period affect the production schedule?
- Who is our single point of contact on site?
IDEX stand builder: FAQs
When is IDEX 2027?
IDEX and NAVDEX 2027 are scheduled for 21–25 January 2027 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, according to ADNEC Group.
When should we book our IDEX stand builder?
As early as possible, ideally in October or early November, so fabrication can be completed before the December holiday period.
Can you build national pavilions for IDEX?
Yes. We design and build multi-exhibitor pavilions with shared hospitality, meeting rooms and individual branding for each company.
Related guides
Plan your IDEX stand
G-Bit Designs brings over 15 years of team experience, a Jebel Ali workshop and approved-contractor status at DWTC and DEC in Dubai. See our Abu Dhabi stand services, our government industry work, our country and corporate pavilions, or request an IDEX quotation.