Twelve New Events Announced at Riyadh’s Inaugural MICE Summit 

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is set to host 12 new events in 2025. In addition, global event companies RX Global, Messe Munich, and Clarion announced plans to open offices in the country. This was revealed at the inaugural International MICE Summit (IMS24) in Riyadh. The summit drew 1,000 event professionals from 70+ countries.

"Three of the top 10 global professional event organizers are opening offices in Saudi Arabia, 12 new event launches, and multiple agreements signed to drive industry progress, reinforce Saudi Arabia's status as the most exciting MICE hub globally," said Fahd Al Rasheed, chairman of the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA). 

Events Coming to Riyadh in 2025

Money 20/20 - Set for September 15-17 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC), the show is backed by Informa/Tahaluf.

FIBO Saudi - RX's health, fitness, and wellness exhibition launches October 1-3 at RICEC.

Clarion Events - The World Refining Technology Congress, Advanced Therapies Week, and Fire Department and Emergency Services Conference all take place in Saudi Arabia in 2025.

FSB Sports Show - Koelnmesse, in partnership with dmg events, will host this show at RICEC June 16-18, 2025. 

International Hardware Fair - Hosted by Koelnmesse and dmg events, June 16-18, 2025 at RICEC. 

Host Arabia - A hospitality event by Fiera Milano and Semark.

ArabLab - This laboratory user's exhibition is now part of Terrapin.

Riyadh Muscle Show - Fitness event by Italian Exhibition Group, Feb. 7-8 at The Arena.

KAOUN International - Dubai World Trade Centre’s new organizing group brings World Industrial Materials and World Advanced Packaging events to Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia's Vision

Kai Hattendorf, CEO of UFI, says the idea for the summit was born from an August conversation with SCEGA. “It was great seeing the energy and the sheer willpower to put this event together in very short notice,” said Hattendorf. UFI also brought executives from 20 major exhibition companies to meet SCEGA leaders.

Saudi Arabia, which achieved 8.7% economic growth in 2022 (the fastest in the G20), is investing heavily in the MICE sector. “Trade shows follow growth markets and they will grow significantly in Saudi Arabia,” said Hattendorf.

Saudi Arabia plans to invest $8 billion in infrastructure to support the 2030 World Expo in Riyadh. It will also build a new showpiece stadium in Riyadh to host the opening match and final of the FIFA World Cup in 2034.

Saudi Arabia is focused on adding $8 billion of infrastructure to accommodate the 2030 World Expo in Riyadh. In addition, the FIFA World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia in 2034. A new showpiece stadium is being built in Riyadh that will host at least the opening match and the final.