Richard Attias & Associates’ Post

📍 Top executives from 20 of the world’s leading exhibition companies have gathered in Saudi Arabia for a UFI-led delegation 🇸🇦 🤝 The high-level delegation coincided with the inaugural International MICE Summit in Riyadh and consisted of an exclusive closed-door meeting with SCEGA’s Leadership to co-create Saudi Arabia’s plan to become a global event hub. 🗣️ “This has been a very successful UFI delegation trip, culminating in top-level dialogue to drive positive developments for Saudi Arabia as well as for the international exhibition industry”, comments Kai Hattendorf, UFI CEO. 🔗 For more information, read our media release: https://lnkd.in/d4AAtxgF #ufi #ufimea #SCEGA #SaudiArabia #exhibitionindustry #eventprofs Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority

At the inaugural International MICE Summit, held in Saudi Arabia last month, 12 major events were announced and RX Global, Messe Muenchen and Clarion Events revealed plans to establish offices in the country. “Exhibitions and conferences are poised to thrive in KSA [Kingdom of Saudi Arabia] in the coming years,” Jochen Witt, President and CEO of jwc GmbH, said. “The pace of change in KSA is remarkable. We’ve been working there for four years, and every time I visit, it feels like the landscape has shifted yet again. In terms of market size, China will remain Asia’s largest, but KSA’s growth rates are set to outpace most countries globally.” Learn more about this new event, which was hosted by the Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority: https://lnkd.in/gY_Ukdrn #events #KSA #tradeshows 

At #IMS24, Sherrif Karamat, President & CEO of PCMA, highlighted how MICE events can help drive Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The summit is bringing people together, creating jobs and boosting economic growth. By partnering with organizations like PCMA, Saudi Arabia can attract more events, support new businesses, and grow its hospitality sector. #ExpandingHorizons

🌟 The conference sector is evolving! 🌍 Abdullah Al-Harbi, CEO of Eye of Riyadh, emphasises the vast opportunities available in the MICE

H.E. Fahd Al-Rasheed, Chairman of Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority, highlighted Saudi Arabia’s strategic vision for the MICE sector at #IMS24, emphasizing its role in driving collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth as part of Vision 2030 in the Kingdom. #SpotlightonSaudiArabia #ExpandingHorizons

The inaugural International MICE Summit (IMS24) continued its momentum in exploring the next chapter of the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry as titans of the industry and government leaders discuss the future of events, as well as their effect on national economies. Click here to read more: https://lnkd.in/gvezAkt3 International MICE Summit Raghav Khosla Dharam Dutt Tarang Khosla Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority ICCA SAUDI ENTERTAINMENT ACADEMY UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry

Over 1,000 global cross-industry and government leaders are expected to attend a three-day interactive programme this December in one of the world’s fastest growing MICE destinations – the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The Saudi MICE market is projected to expand exponentially with hallmark events such as World Expo 2030, expected to attract 40.7m visits to KSA alone. The International MICE Summit (IMS24) will be hosted, 15-17 December 2024 at Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City (Misk City | مدينة مسك) in Riyadh, hosted by the Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority. https://lnkd.in/eXsRzFSt #eventprofs #events #MICE #exhibitionworld #exhibitions

As Saudi Arabia continues to grow as a global hub for events, the attendee experience is becoming more crucial than ever. In your opinion, what’s one thing event organizers in the Kingdom could do better to truly enhance the experience for attendees? I’d love to hear your insights—whether it’s about technology, personalization, or cultural touches. #EventManagement #MarketingStrategy #EventPlanning #SaudiVision2030 #EventsInSaudi #CustomerExperience #InnovationInEvents #ProfessionalCommunit #Networking #IndustryTrends #EventProfs

Today's session during #IMS24 explored the MICE industry's role in advancing #SaudiVision2030. Moderated by ENG. Hatim Alkahily, HE's Chairman's Advisor, Acting CEO of Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority, panelists highlighted how major events drive GDP growth, fuel innovation, and create job opportunities, while offering strategies for local businesses to leverage MICE platforms to align with Vision 2030 priorities and expand their market presence. #ExpandingHorizons #SpotlightonSaudiArabia

I was invited to speak on a panel at the International MICE Summit by His Excellency Fahd bin Abdulmohsen Al-Rasheed, the Chairman of Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority. I felt honoured to be sharing the panel with several distinguished leaders in the exhibitions sector, and to be interviewed by Richard Attias who has had a remarkable career, including co-creating and producing brands like World Economic Forum and FII. To summarise my points: ✅ The market gives you the conditions to launch well. Growth as we've seen with Tahaluf can only happen in Saudi Arabia. ✅ Continuity and retention of talent are key to delivering excellent events. ✅ Put your faith in content and end user experience. ✅ Invest in young Saudi talent if you want to scale your business in the Kingdom. My takeaway from the Summit is that all eyes are on Saudi. Four years ago when we launched @Hack I said in my opening speech that Saudi is now a global hub for events. The attendance of so many global leaders in the events trade looking to expand their business in the Kingdom is continued proof that that's the case.