UMEX and SimTEX 2026, organized by ADNEC Group, took place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from 20-22 January. Delegations from over 110 countries gathered to explore advancements in unmanned systems, robotics, and defense technologies.

With high-value interactions at stake, the event required more than coordination—it needed a structured, secure environment where the right participants could connect efficiently without compromising control.

The Challenge

The scale and nature of the event introduced multiple layers of complexity.

• Coordinating large-scale delegations. Military delegations from ~110 countries needed to be managed within a controlled environment, where access and visibility had to be carefully structured.
• Limited participant setup. Delegation members did not have individual platform accounts, creating constraints in how interactions could be enabled and tracked.
• Multiple roles, different access needs. Exhibitors, media personnel, and support teams each required different levels of visibility and interaction — making it critical to ensure the right access without overexposure.
• Last-minute data changes. A late shift in exhibitor data source required the event structure to be quickly reconfigured, without disrupting preparation or execution.

The Solution

We delivered an AI-native infrastructure designed to adapt to these constraints while maintaining control, accuracy, and relevance at scale.

• Intelligent, context-aware experience. UMEX & SimTEX 2026 was among the first events to roll out our new AI-native platform. Participants navigated based on relevance and behavior — making it easier to discover the right exhibitors, connections, and content.

• Enabling participation without full account setup. QR-based access allowed delegation members to participate in meetings without individual accounts, while keeping interactions structured and trackable.

• Controlled, role-based interactions. Access and visibility were structured by role, ensuring participants engaged only with relevant connections—reducing noise and maintaining appropriate boundaries.

• Reliability amid change. The platform adapted quickly to data changes during setup, ensuring consistency and accuracy without disrupting execution.

On the Ground: UMEX in Action

Onsite, the event brought together delegations, exhibitors, and industry leaders in a highly active environment.

From live demonstrations to scheduled meetings, interactions were continuously taking place. The platform supported these moments in real time—helping participants connect, discover, and navigate more effectively.

Results & Impact

The event generated strong engagement across meetings, interactions, and platform usage.

• More than 3,000 meeting requests initiated
• 1,711 exhibitor badge scans completed

• 3,488 AI-assisted questions and answers

High usage of discovery and assistance features reflected strong engagement across the event.

Continued Value & Client Confidence

The value of the platform extended beyond the event itself.

Following the event, the organizer requested an extension of the platform to continue accessing and demonstrating its capabilities. The platform was adapted accordingly, reinforcing its value beyond the event itself and highlighting its role as a long-term asset.

Conclusion

UMEX & SimTEX 2026 showed how an AI-native event infrastructure can support delegation-driven environments by maintaining control while enabling efficient interactions at scale.

By structuring how participants connect and adapting to changing conditions, the platform ensured smooth execution across a complex event setup. For complex events, success depends on how well interactions are organized and executed. Our solutions are built to support that from the start.

Book a demo to see how it can be tailored to your event from the pre-event stage.

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