Riyadh to host 1st edition of International Exhibitions and Conferences Summit

Leaders of major global events companies are gathering in Riyadh to participate in the first edition of the International Exhibitions and Conferences Summit (IMS24), which will be held from December 15 to 17, to explore investment opportunities in the exhibitions and conferences sector in the Kingdom, which is the fastest growing sector among the G20 countries.

The summit, organized by the General Authority for Exhibitions and Conventions (SCEGA), will be attended by a number of specialists, experts and academics, in addition to officials from ten leading organizations in the global exhibitions and conferences sector, to present their visions and experiences on the sector and its future, and the Kingdom’s leading role in the growth of the sector.

“This summit confirms the importance of the Middle East as a global hub for exhibitions and conferences, and enhances the Kingdom’s position and role in this vital sector,” said Fahd bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Rasheed, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Exhibitions and Conventions. He pointed out that the Kingdom’s assets, such as investment in mega projects, hosting major global events – in addition to the growth of the Saudi tourism sector – make it a major global destination for hosting major conferences and events. The summit sessions will feature a group of prominent figures, including Lord Carter, CEO of Informa PLC; Brian Brittain, COO of RX Global; Stefan Rommel, CEO of Messe Munich; Lisa Hannant, CEO of Clarion Events; and Wolfram Diener, CEO of Messe Dusseldorf. The International Exhibitions and Conferences Summit focuses on several main themes, including talent and skills development, the economic impact of exhibitions and conferences business models, cross-border events, and sustainability practices. The summit has dedicated special workshops to highlight new technologies in the sector, and provides opportunities for fruitful discussions with leaders of government agencies in the Kingdom. The summit’s activities – through “collective engagement centers” – highlight investment opportunities and incentives in the Kingdom’s thriving exhibitions and conferences sector; as it brings together decision-makers, investors, event organizers, tourism service operators, and event management companies to discuss and shape the future of the sector in the Kingdom and abroad. The exhibitions and conferences sector in the Kingdom has witnessed remarkable growth over the past few years, with a growth rate of nearly 15% between 2022-2023, a period that witnessed the organization of about 17,000 events. The Kingdom is expected to witness – over the next eight years – a 2.6-fold increase in the number of visitors coming to the Kingdom for business, reaching 8 million visitors in 2030, up from 3.1 million in 2019, in conjunction with major events that the Kingdom will host, such as the World Energy Congress, the Future Investment Initiative, the World Defense Show, the Smart Cities Forum, the Future Minerals Forum, the LEAP International Technology Exhibition, the Future of Aviation Conference, and Expo 2030. The Kingdom’s events agenda also includes global sporting events, including the 2027 Asian Cup, the eSports Olympics, and hosting the Asian Winter Games.