Great Expectations

Ambitious, adaptable Abu Dhabi brings people together in a big way.

- RICHARD NEWTON

The best-laid plans of MICE and men sometimes go awry. For the global MICE industry, the last two years have been decimated by the pandemic; the majority of events have been postponed or canceled, and many developments have been deferred or shelved.

Abu Dhabi's long-accepted unforeseen delays are an inevitable cost of ambition. While many of its grand plans have been delivered on time and on budget, others have been beset by delays. Perhaps the most notorious of these is the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi art museum. Originally slated to open in 2011, many complications — including the pandemic — pushed the target date back. Breathtakingly designed by Frank Gehry, it will be a world landmark when it finally opens its doors. The current estimate is 2025.

By comparison, construction of the nearby Louvre Abu Dhabi was relatively straightforward; it opened in 2017, a mere five years late. The Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau partnered with the Louvre to create the Bleisure initiative, a portfolio of events and activities tailored for MICE groups. Highlights include the opportunity to host events at the Louvre and the chance to participate in workshops led by local artist Fatima Farah.