Page 78 - Protec PR Book Volume 2

IDEX 2017 OPENING CEREMONY
THE ABU DHABI NATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTRE (ADNEC) AGAIN PLAYED HOST TO THE INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE; A FIVE-DAY EVENT SHOWCASING DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT TO MILITARY OFFICIALS AND GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE. FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE TIME, PROTEC DELIVERED THE MOTHER OF ALL PRODUCTIONS FOR IDEX’S FAMOUS OUTDOOR DEMONSTRATION.
As events go, there is probably no other theatrical production in the world that can boast the kind of special effects, choreography, assets and scenic staging as IDEX, all of which is thrown into a 250m x 60m performance stage built from the ground up.
The show kicked off with a musical tribute to the nation’s Emirati heritage, as well as a performance by Russia’s Presidential marching band. An intense combat scenario followed in which full movie grade special effects (including high grade vehicle hits, land fireballs, debris explosions, rock falls, bullet hits, and water explosions) were engaged. It mimicked a battle scenario that involved fighter jet and attack helicopter fly-bys, military tank and fast-moving armoured vehicle pursuits in challenging surroundings and terrain, and a bespoke working train and submarine built entirely by Protec, as well as scores of soldiers in engaging ‘firefights’. It was a technology demonstration worth the dedicated staging set that Protec built up for the show, which left audiences and special guests
awestruck on all five days the show ran.
The first day began as the formal opening
ceremony, which was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; Crown Princes of all the Emirates; defence ministers and senior military officers from 57 nations, head of delegates and other senior officials.
Guests awaiting the official opening were treated to displays from Emirati military and police bands as well as over 400 traditional dancers who also paraded the flags of the 57 nations participating at IDEX to welcome them as part of their choreographed heritage sequence.
Following the arrival of the Royal Party and the playing of the UAE national anthem, the Presidential Regiment and Orchestra of Russia performed an impressive rifle drill sequence as a prelude to the capability demonstration.
This year’s live military demonstration
comprised a breath taking, all-action display that highlighted the capabilities of many divisions across the UAE Armed Forces. The fictitious scenario designed, developed, directed and delivered by Protec for its client IDEX, involved
a successful liberation by an elite military group in a ‘war torn mountain nation’ where a ‘militia’ group attacked a long-awaited humanitarian aid train and hijacked a ship loaded with chemicals. The threat was further enhanced with a hostile submarine detected out at sea that was headed towards the ‘chemical plant’ at the base of the mountains.
IDEX, the main event organiser in conjunction with ADNEC and the UAE Armed Forces, used Protec to produce and build the entire temporary venue. Eddie Andradé, the show’s Creative Director, explained: “This show involves jets and helicopter fly-pasts that have to be timed to the precise second to match up with the action sequences on the staging area performed by military tanks and armoured vehicles, infantry, weapons systems, and special effects.”
ME