Wear Comfortable Shoes

IDEX is huge. How huge? Check out the video above. On an average day, one reporter walked about 13,000 steps, according to a nifty FitBit. That’s about 6 miles. The event fills the entire Abu Dhabi National Exposition Centre. That’s 375,000 square feet of exhibits. As one reporter in a pair of black wingtips lamented, “I need to pick up a pair of Rockports for these things. I have blisters everywhere.” Flats are a good option over heels, we’re told. This is even more important at an airshow when you’ll be outside on unpaved surfaces.

Getting Your Eat On

Just about every company’s pavilion or booth has a basket of breath mints or candy perfectly positioned within reach as you walk on by. Before you know it, you’ve had eight lifesavers, five Kit Kats and a 3 Musketeers bar. For some reason, there always seem to be 3 Musketeers. Resist the urge and eat some real food, which in these cavernous exhibit halls is often expensive because you’re trapped there. And usually the quality of the food is not great either. Companies, particularly at airshow, have invite-only chalets with a fully-catered lunch. At the airshows, that’s the best place to find the best food.

The Corporate Swag

Companies offer up tons of giveaways, everything from pens to stuffed animals, emblemized with corporate logos. In recent years, some firms started giving out reusable supermarket bags to collect to hold these tchotchkes. But with so many giveaways, your arms might get tired. Now there are rolling suitcase-style cardboard boxes. Seriously. Wouldn’t want to get a hernia carrying those all those free golf balls. Reporters: hands off the swag.

“Booth Babes”

You don’t see this at defense tradeshows in the United States, but at international events some companies hire models to pass out product cards. The large American companies don’t do this, but Russians companies are notorious for this. These ladies often wear high heals, short skirts, low-cut tops and at an airshow, tight-fitting flight suits.

There’s No Time to Sightsee

Here you are in exotic country X and the best part is you’re company is paying the bill. Surely, you’ll be able to escape to take in some of the sights and pick up some souvenirs. Don’t count on it. You’ll probably be at the show for eight to 10 hours, then off to mandatory corporate dinners and receptions (see above). By the time that’s over, all you want to do is get back to your hotel and crash. Chances are, the only sights you’ll some are through the window of a taxi. If you want to shop and sightsee, book extra days at the end of the trip. If you add to the beginning, you’ll still be fighting jetlag, taking away from the fun. That said, you’ll be exhausted after the show ends. So it’s all about personal preference here.

What To Expect in the Future

Since its inception in 1993, IDEX continues to grow, the event’s organizers say. U.S. and European company executives say their attendance at the exposition is critical to deepening their ties with the United Arab Emirates and other militaries in the region. As government officials and experts forecast a long campaign against ISIS, an arms bazaar like IDEX will continue to remain an essential stop for defense leaders and firms.