Saudi Arabia's Exhibition And Conference Sector Experiences Significant Growth This Global Season

The Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority has initiated the global exhibition and conference season, running from October to May annually. This period is marked by a series of significant international events hosted in Saudi Arabia, highlighting increased activity in this sector. The current season commenced with notable events like the Riyadh International Book Fair, the International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition, and FIBO Arabia, drawing substantial crowds.

Saudi Arabia's exhibition and conference sector is experiencing remarkable growth, positioning it as one of the fastest-expanding business event markets among G20 nations. Over the past four years, the Kingdom has seen an unprecedented surge in exhibitions and conferences, hosting more than 17,000 business events in a single year—a regional record. This growth highlights Saudi Arabia's robust infrastructure and effective regulatory framework.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has successfully attracted over 20 international brands and events. Additionally, nearly 10 international representative offices for leading global companies and exhibitions have opened in the Kingdom. This development reflects global partners' confidence in Saudi Arabia and emphasizes the sustainable growth of this crucial sector.

Upcoming months will see continued momentum with major events such as the Global Health Exhibition, Saudi Build, and Cityscape Global. Other significant gatherings include the Future Investment Initiative (FII), Fortune Global Forum, CoMotion Global, TOURISE Global Tourism Summit, and International Mice Summit (IMS25)—the Kingdom's flagship event in this sector.

The Kingdom is undergoing substantial expansion in its exhibition and conference infrastructure. By 2030, more than one million square meters of additional space will be added. This expansion further solidifies Saudi Arabia’s status as a regional and global hub for major events.

The sector also benefits from highly skilled Saudi professionals. Supported by comprehensive training programs, these professionals now make up nearly 20% of global Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) certificate holders—one of the highest rates worldwide.

Strengthening Global Position

This season aims to bolster Saudi Arabia’s global standing in the exhibition and conference industry. It seeks to attract further international investments and partnerships while offering citizens diverse opportunities to engage with various events catering to wide-ranging interests.

With inputs from SPA