Informa Postpones Mega Saudi Tech Show as Iran War Intensifies
Photo Credit: Informa
Skift Take
Informa had a soft hold on hundreds of thousands of square feet of exhibition space as tensions escalated in the Middle East. Now that it has postponed one of the world’s largest tech gatherings and is using that space in August, it has to deal with the logistical fallout.
Informa has postponed its flagship Saudi tech event, LEAP, pushing the 2026 edition from April to August 31–September 3 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre, Malham.
The move affects a show that has steadily grown since its 2022 launch, drawing more than 200,000 visitors, 1,800+ exhibitors, 1,000 speakers, and investors representing trillions in assets in 2025.
Flight restrictions and the escalating war in Iran are making it difficult to stage large-scale international shows across the region. Speaking to investors last week, Informa CEO Stephen
Carter said prolonged disruption could force some events to shift further into the calendar — or even into 2027 — which would impact revenue.
Two Major Middle East Postponements in Two Days
LEAP’s postponement came the day after Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 announced it was moving from May 4-7 to August 17-20 at Dubai World Trade Centre.
ATM, an RX show, attracts approximately 55,000 attendees and 2,800 exhibitors from 161 countries and has reported facilitating approximately $2.5 billion in industry deals.
“The safety and well-being of our customers, partners, and colleagues remains our highest priority, and the decision to reschedule ATM 2026 to August reflects our commitment to ensuring that everyone can participate at this important industry gathering. We look forward to welcoming the international travel community back to Dubai later this year,” said Danielle Curtis, director ME, Arabian Travel Market, in a statement.
These changes create operational challenges. Both Informa and RX, which produces ATM, and their partners, must now help rebook exhibitors and attendees, rebuild floor plans, hotel blocks, and hosted-buyer programs, and adjust sponsorship commitments. All while contending with extreme heat, a period when international travel demand to the Gulf typically softens.
LEAP Showcases Saudi Arabia’s Tech Ambitions
LEAP is central to Informa’s Tahaluf joint venture, a partnership with the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
The event has become a showcase of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions, spanning AI, gaming, clean energy, and fintech. Investment announcements at the 2025 show exceeded $15 billion.
Carter has positioned LEAP as central to both the company’s growth and Saudi Arabia’s tech ambitions, calling it a show that has evolved “from conceptual idea, to event, to genuine world event” in just a few years.
Despite current disruptions, Carter told investors he maintains “a high degree of confidence” in the region’s long-term outlook.
The Middle East now accounts for roughly 14% of Informa’s group revenue and is expected to be one of its fastest-growing markets through 2030.
The postponed Saudi Arabia show runs just weeks after LEAP East's debut in Hong Kong, creating a compressed global calendar for the brand. Originally designed as an extension of the Middle East flagship, LEAP East may now absorb some of the dealmaking and product launches that had been slated for April in Riyadh.
One of the first shows Informa postponed was Middle East Energy 2026, originally scheduled for April 7–9 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The show, expected to draw more than 50,000 attendees from 178 countries, has been moved to September 1–3.
