ABU DHABI: Knives, bows and arrows of various types and sizes are distinguished and permanent products at Abu Dhabi International Hunting & Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX), being pivotal tools in hunting, camping and road trips, and distinctive heritage elements that generations have passed on interest in, as they are the basic tools carried by people throughout the ages, and still present to this day at home, in hunting sports, and trips.
Nowadays, the best materials, methods, and metals are used in their production to ensure their durability and effectivity, according to simple traditional designs or modern innovative designs. Their prices vary considerably depending on the complexity and accuracy of the design, the duration of work on its implementation, and the metal used.
The 20th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting & Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) will be held from August 23-29, sponsored by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, the International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC), and the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) where the event takes place. Whereas the industry partners include Mohamed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund, UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, European Foundation for Falconry and Conservation, International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey, and Game Fair – France.
The exhibiting companies were able to significantly increase their sales at ADIHEX over its previous editions, due to the interest of hunting enthusiasts to buy onsite the hunting and shooting weapons and equipment, as well as to meet with major buyers, industry leaders, and marketing experts, and to conclude deals and partnerships with the most prominent local agents and distributors to market their innovative products.
The Abu Dhabi International Hunting & Equestrian Exhibition attracts annually the largest manufacturers of white arms, where exhibitors are required to adhere to all regulations, instructions, as well as the safety and security measures. The Higher Organising Committee of ADIHEX has launched the “the Guidelines for Buying and Selling Knives, Bows and Arrows” addressed to exhibitors, as the selling of hunting weapons is subject to many terms and procedures.
The list of products prohibited from displaying or selling includes knives and white arms used in unusual civilian purposes, swords and daggers (excluding heritage ones), fencing, spears, arrows and their blades, axes and pickaxes of all kinds that are used in unusual civilian purposes, sticks with harpoon or heavily metals made for combat purposes, machete combat, electric sticks, electric self-defence items, stick or roller chains which ends with thorns, chains linked to white arms, and automatic weapons, lasers, and live ammunition.
The safety of visitors and exhibitors is a top priority, therefore, the Higher Organising Committee has been keen to issue the guideline and implement the best safe practices for buying and selling bows and arrows in addition to hunting knives, as it is forbidden to sell them to those under the legal age, while buyers between the age of 18 and 20 years old must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
On the other hand, knives, arrows, and bows are delivered outside the exhibition halls upon leaving the venue, whereas the role of the exhibition security team is to assist in finalising sales deliveries.
The after sales procedures include filling out the exhibition purchase form and indicating the collection point chosen by the buyer. The buyer must also be informed that he must leave the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center as soon as he collects the knife he has purchased and cannot re-enter the exhibition with the purchased knife. The exhibitor shall submit the purchased items to ADNEC security guard along with the purchase form, to hand over the item to the buyer at the selected collection point.
Moreover, knives are not sold after 9:30pm, to give time for the buyers to collect their purchased knives at collection point and leave the venue within the event timings.
As part of its various features and activities, ADIHEX offers tens of thousands of its audience, a unique live simulation experience for archery enthusiasts with bow and arrows in an ideal and safe environment, targeting beginner and intermediate levels, in a distinctive interactive activity to explore personal capabilities and to challenge friends and other visitors.
Furthermore, ADIHEX organises workshops and educational presentations about archery, in cooperation with some of the participating exhibitors, including official clubs and private companies, as part of the efforts to introduce this exciting sport, for which many private clubs have been established in many countries.
The Abu Dhabi International Hunting & Equestrian Exhibition is the only event in the UAE which allows its visitors to buy hunting and shooting weapons whose manufacturers, experts and designers compete to professionally offer the best products to hunters and shooters. In each new edition remarkable and rare innovations emerge in the world of hunting and shooting, due to the art, quality, durability, and safety they offer.
The previous edition of ADIHEX achieved a high record of total direct onsite sales. Over 900 companies and brands from 58 countries participated in the ‘Hunting and Shooting Sports Guns and Equipment’ sector. Moreover, 47 regional and international companies and 110 international brands sold over 3,400 weapons to hunting professionals and enthusiasts.
Additionally, partnerships and deals were struck as the manufacturers of hunting weapons registered a high turnout exceeding 150,000 visitors.
