Riyadh: The Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority has announced the launch of the global exhibition and conference season, spanning from October to May each year. This period sees the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia host a series of major international exhibitions and conferences, marking a time of heightened activity in the sector.
According to Saudi Press Agency, this year's season began with a series of prominent events, including the Riyadh International Book Fair, the International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition, and FIBO Arabia, all of which attracted large audiences.
The momentum of the season will continue in the coming months with key events such as the Global Health Exhibition, Saudi Build, and Cityscape Global. Other high-profile events include the Future Investment Initiative (FII), the Fortune Global Forum, the CoMotion Global, the TOURISE Global Tourism Summit, and the International Mice Summit (IMS25), the Kingdom's flagship event in the exhibition and conference sector.
This launch comes at a time of significant growth in the sector, with Saudi Arabia emerging as one of the fastest-growing business event markets among the G20 countries. In the past four years, the Kingdom has experienced an unprecedented rise in exhibitions and conferences, with over 17,000 business events held in a single year, an all-time regional high. This growth underscores the Kingdom's strong infrastructure and effective regulatory framework.
The sector also benefits from highly skilled Saudi human resources. Saudi professionals, supported by comprehensive training and development programs, now account for nearly 20% of the global Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) certificate holders, one of the highest rates worldwide.
In addition, the Kingdom is undergoing an unprecedented expansion in its exhibition and conference infrastructure. By 2030, more than one million square meters of additional space will be added, further solidifying Saudi Arabia's position as a regional and global hub for major events.
On the international front, the Kingdom has successfully attracted over 20 international brands and events in recent years, alongside the opening of nearly 10 international representative offices for leading global companies and exhibitions. This reflects the confidence of global partners in Saudi Arabia and underscores the sustainable growth of this vital sector.
Through this season of events, the authority aims to strengthen Saudi Arabia's global position in the exhibition and conference industry, attract further international investments and partnerships, and offer citizens and residents diverse opportunities to engage with events that cater to a wide range of interests.