At IDEX 2027, 25 to 29 January 2027 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, you can exhibit inside a national pavilion, where companies from one country exhibit together under its name, or on your own stand, under your own brand. A pavilion fits if you want to arrive with your country; your own stand fits if you want your brand to lead. AI and defence software companies can also look at IDEX NXT.
- IDEX 2027 opens at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi on 25 January and runs to 29 January 2027, with NAVDEX alongside it.
- In a national pavilion, you exhibit with companies from your country, under its name.
- On your own stand, you exhibit under your brand alone and decide what goes on show.
- For AI or defence software, IDEX NXT has four experience zones.
Before you think about stand size or design, you have a simpler choice to make at IDEX 2027: go in with your country's national pavilion, or under your own name. It shapes how buyers see you on the floor.
IDEX 2027 runs from 25 to 29 January 2027 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, with NAVDEX alongside it on the same dates.
We checked the dates on the IDEX and NAVDEX websites on 10 November 2026.
What is a national pavilion at IDEX?
A national pavilion, sometimes called a country pavilion, is a shared space where companies from one country exhibit together under that country's name. Buyers walking the floor meet you as part of your country's presence, side by side with other companies from home.
It suits you if you want to arrive with your country and be seen as part of what it brings to Abu Dhabi.
Are there national pavilions at IDEX?
National pavilions from across the globe took part in the last edition, IDEX and NAVDEX 2025, according to an ADNEC Group press release.
ADNEC Group organises IDEX, a tri-service defence exhibition, in association with the UAE Ministry of Defence and Tawazun Council. For what each show covers, see our guide to IDEX and NAVDEX 2027.
What does your own stand give you?
Your own stand carries your company's name alone, in front of the visitors who stop. You decide what goes on show.
That matters at IDEX, which invites you to present your solutions through live-action demonstrations and real-world simulations. If your product needs to be seen working, check how much room each route gives you to show it.
National pavilion or your own stand: how do you choose?
Either way, IDEX invites you to engage with OEMs and defence contractors as well as procurement specialists. Here is our reading of the choice:
| National pavilion | Your own stand | |
|---|---|---|
| How buyers meet you | As part of your country's presence | As your company, under your own brand |
| Your space | Shared with companies from your country | Yours alone |
| Whose name leads | Your country's | Your company's |
| Fits when | You want to arrive with your country | You want to arrive under your own brand |
Four questions help you decide:
- Whose name should lead? If it is your country's, a pavilion carries it. If it is your company's, your own stand does.
- Does your product need to be shown working? Check how much room each route gives you for it.
- Do you want companies from home around you? A pavilion puts you next to them. On your own stand, the space is yours alone.
- Do you build AI or defence software? Then look at IDEX NXT before you decide.
Where does IDEX NXT fit for AI companies?
If you build AI or defence software, you have a third route: IDEX NXT, the defence AI platform new at IDEX 2027. It has four experience zones:
- Tech Enablers Zone, for hardware
- Scale-up Pod Clusters, built to launch software platforms
- Innovation Primes, with VIP roundtables for key meetings
- Platform Leaders, premium double islands on either side of the main stage
Our IDEX NXT guide covers its sectors and which zone fits your company.
Putting together a pavilion for your country?
Read what it takes to launch a national pavilion abroad.
Want to exhibit at IDEX 2027?
Bridge Exhibitions, created by Arabian World Events and Orchestra Media, supports companies going into new markets through shows like IDEX.
Tell us what you want to show at IDEX 2027. Write to karan@bridgeexhibitions.com or start a conversation.
Planning beyond Abu Dhabi? Our 2027 calendar covers the other shows running in 2027.
About Bridge Exhibitions
Bridge Exhibitions is an international sales, marketing, event management and market development business created by Arabian World Events and Orchestra Media. Its multilingual team helps event organisers grow international participation, develop new markets, and connect with exhibitors and industry partners worldwide.
Common questions
What is a national pavilion at IDEX?
A national pavilion, sometimes called a country pavilion, is a shared space where companies from one country exhibit together under that country's name. Buyers meet each company as part of its country's presence on the floor.
What is the difference between a national pavilion and your own stand?
In a national pavilion, your company exhibits inside your country's shared space, under its name. On your own stand, your company exhibits under its own brand, in a space that is yours alone.
Are there national pavilions at IDEX?
National pavilions from across the globe took part in the last edition, IDEX and NAVDEX 2025, according to an ADNEC Group press release.
Can you exhibit at IDEX 2027 without a national pavilion?
Yes. You can exhibit on your own stand, under your own brand. IDEX 2027 runs from 25 to 29 January 2027 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
Where can AI and defence software companies exhibit at IDEX 2027?
In IDEX NXT, the defence AI platform new at IDEX 2027. It has four experience zones: the Tech Enablers Zone for hardware, Scale-up Pod Clusters for software platforms, Innovation Primes for key meetings and Platform Leaders beside the main stage.
How can Bridge Exhibitions help you exhibit at IDEX 2027?
Bridge Exhibitions, created by Arabian World Events and Orchestra Media, supports companies going into new markets through shows like IDEX. Tell us what you want to show at karan@bridgeexhibitions.com.
Sources
Tell us what you want to show at IDEX 2027. Write to karan@bridgeexhibitions.com.
